*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
"It is raw, honest and unexpected..." - Lori Ajax, Bureau of Cannabis Control 2016-2020, California's first 'Cannabis Czar'
