Unconventional

Girl Friday Books
Written By

Product Details

Publisher: Girl Friday Books
Release Date: April 19, 2022
Formats: Hardcover, Ebook
ISBN: HC: 978-1-954854-29-1; EB: 978-1-954854-40-6
Page Count: 193

 

A Memoir of Entrepreneurism, Politics, and Pot

Jamie Andrea Garzot

An inspirational story about taking a chance, following your vision, and thriving in one of the US’s wildest emerging industries, 2022 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite Unconventional profiles Jamie Andrea Garzot’s journey as one of California’s legal cannabis industry pioneers.

Jamie Andrea Garzot was one of the least likely people to become a cannabis entrepreneur, advocate, and industry pioneer. She had no business background. She was not involved in politics. She had only a four-figure capital investment to start with. And, surprisingly, she had very limited experience with cannabis products. So how did Garzot find herself at the forefront of California’s cannabis movement?

In this inspirational memoir, Garzot describes her trajectory from a cannabis retail rookie navigating an unregulated market to a cannabis authority. During her time in the industry, she developed a wildly successful line of artisanal edibles, managed $12 million a year in all-cash sales, and became an advocate for cannabis legislation at the state capitol—all of which led to an eventual acquisition by High Times, one of the most recognized names in the industry. From office intrigues, personal crises, and shifting regulations to teamwork, innovation, and community leadership, Garzot, with good-natured humor, shares how thinking creatively, planning ahead, and forming connections in the most unlikely places contributed to her success in a continually shifting business landscape.

Unconventional is the story of an industry in its wild heyday, the inner workings of local and state government and cannabis’s dicey road to regulation, and the seismic changes in the way cannabis was distributed and sold. But it is also the story of one woman’s tenacious spirit and all the lessons she learned the hard way—by refusing to give power to fear, taking risks, building community in a volatile environment, and listening to what people wanted—and how staying true to her vision paid off every step of the way.

Anyone who has ever dreamed of following their gut and reinventing their life will be inspired by Garzot’s unusual and unconventional journey.

About the Author

With eleven years of lawful cannabis industry experience, Jamie Andrea Garzot is one of California’s pioneers, drawing from boots-on-the-ground experience as a state-licensed cannabis retailer, an appointed city official, and an industry advocate. Since 2009, Garzot has logged thousands of hours advocating for responsible cannabis regulation before the California State Legislature and provided cannabis policy guidance to local governments throughout the Northern California region. In August 2020, both of her groundbreaking businesses were acquired by the most globally recognized name in cannabis, High Times. Jamie remains a high-profile industry advocate, educator, and public speaker.

Reviews

*A 2022 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite*

“An engaging and illuminating insider’s portrait of a cutting-edge industry.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Scores of inspirational, entrepreneurial memoirs are appealing, but few are quite so riveting as this title.” —The US Review of Books

“Garzot’s vibrant and concise tone makes Unconventional such an exciting read—besides being poignant, informative, and thorough.” —San Francisco Book Review, star rating: 5/5

“Jamie Andrea Garzot takes her readers on an insightful and intriguing journey through her life, loves, and experiences. Her honesty, good humor, and intelligence shine through this amazing book . . . Hats off to Garzot and her remarkable story.” —Chick Lit Café

“Interesting, thoughtful, and full of verve . . . Garzot shares insightful life lessons beyond business and cannabis.” —David S. McCuan, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Political Science, Sonoma State University

“Filled with fun, passion, and brilliance, Garzot is an excellent storyteller and inspiration to all others, especially women, who want to take their lives by the reins and do a complete one-eighty.” —The BookLife Prize

“Jamie’s pioneering career is a gripping, enthralling, and inspiring testament to American entrepreneurship.” —Dr. James Richardson, anthropologist and bestselling author of Ramping Your Brand

“[Garzot] is a woman who has achieved awe-invoking success, someone who has worked tirelessly to improve her community, and an advocate for better government legislation.” —Manhattan Book Review, star rating: 4/5

“I want to call Unconventional a guide for anyone opening a small business . . . I want to call it a motivator for entrepreneurs . . . I want to call it an uplifting and encouraging testament to the power of positive thinking . . . After much rumination I’ve decided this is a book about life and about taking it on without apology or self-defeat . . . An enjoyable read!” —Steve Gibson, talk radio host, Mornings on KQMS

“Unconventional: A Memoir of Entrepreneurism, Politics, and Pot is recommended not just for California collections (though it will be of particular interest and importance to these), but to anyone who would absorb a business and social issues examination that peppers personal observation with political, legal, and social analysis. Its lively presentation and consideration of a myriad of interests and issues do a fine job of exploring all sides of the pot issue and its adaptation into mainstream society, cemented by one plucky female entrepreneur’s vision and drive to achieve business success in a blossoming, changing, often controversial environment.” —D. Donovan, senior reviewer, the Midwest Book Review

“Garzot lays bare the inner workings and challenges involved in today’s cannabis industry, how it’s evolved from a largely unregulated and illegal enterprise into the multimillion-dollar mainstream business it is today.” —Ron Ramswick, bookseller, IOBA

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