Meet Ricky Garza | Founder – CannaLife Culture Co

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ricky Garza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ricky, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After 7 years in the Washington state legal cannabis industry, I decided to take what I had learned and my experiences and build something for the community and culture I had come to know and love. Before I started my first industry job in 2015 I made a commitment to myself; that I would work every job in the industry in order to gain the experience I needed to be able to create a business I could be proud of and which brought value, knowledge an support to the community. I started off wanting to open a consumption lounge, but due to laws and regulations nationwide and on the state level I realized that was going to be a little more difficult. So I kept learning and looking for the right spot to utilize my efforts. As time went on I heard countless stories from owners, purchasers, budtenders, consumers, producers as well, and I started to see a glaring pain point for everyone in the industry.. Accessibility. Due to the confusing and unreasonable classification of cannabis, the industry can not market themselves or provide real accessibility to the community, like other industries. Many social media pages and content pages get shutdown, or banned. Many producers and retailers to have trouble making ends meet, because of the lack of visibility within the market online and in real life. This is where CannaLife Culture comes in for the past 3 years. We launched our free to use 21+ social media app, coupled with our marketplace and exclusive content paywall. We strive to serve the cannabis community and culture by providing accessibility to cannabis and hemp online and in real life, globally. We are building an ecosystem for the community, by the community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am Prior service military (Army), I worked for Discount Tire company for 6.5 years, where I was trained extensively in sales, customer service and relationship building. These two job experiences prepared me for what I am doing today. Prior to this is was odd jobs and short stints like any young person. While I was in the Army, yes it was hard but it was very eye opening. It taught me a lot about politics, loyalty, respect, duty, hard work and controlling your emotions. I went though some self inflicted adversity while I was in and it had a direct impact on the career path I chose later on. Discount Tire really upped my sales game during my time there. All the training I went to was hands on and role playing, so I was always practicing my skillset and refining it over my 6.5 years with them. Although the pay was good and I enjoyed what I did for the most part, family life was almost nonexistent due to the hours we worked and only 1 day off a week which was Sunday. This was a very critical time for me because my father had just passed and I was truly on a journey of self discovery and happiness. I wasn’t happy. So with this in mind i decided to leave Discount tire and look for something else. Around this time cannabis had just been legalized recreationally in Washington State. I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I started submitting resumes to dispensaries and 3 months later I was hired by Cinder, a well known dispensary in Spokane, WA, and New Mexico. This is where my journey began in the cannabis world. I became Medically certified to consult for cannabis patients, and I got to learn the retail side of things. After a few years I went to the production side and worked assisting with growing and extracting, packaging and delivery to brand ambassador and then sales account manager. This education was priceless and everyone who helped me along the way I’m truly grateful for it. I really want people to know that I have tried to do right by those who’ve helped me and the industry that has helped shape me. Taking my real time experience and applying it to something I love like cannabis, only drives me to give my entire heart and vision to the community globally. What I feel separates me from others is my ability to listen, appreciate another’s perspective, as well as build meaningful business relationships and friendships. Whether we are in a business setting or another type, this has allowed me to be genuine and truthful in all my interactions which has led me to build a solid reputation as someone who truly cares about this industry, the accessibility of it and the direction it all goes. CannaLife Culture is for the community, by the community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Currently I am back home in Austin Tx working with some companies so there is plenty to do here:
1. We are going to eat some good BBQ to get us started.
2. We need to hit Barton Springs pool so we can cool off in this crazy heat!
3. If SXSW or ACL is rockin while we are here i’m sure there is a free show we can find! Or buy a wristband and lets do it big!
4. Gotta stop by a local staple called Blazer Tag! South Austin historical lazer tag place! Fun games, food and adult drinks! they also have the occasional adult setup, club style!
5. When evening comes up we will definitely hit a Texas Longhorns Sports game (doesn’t matter what sport!) or we are going to an Austin FC game! Grow the Legend!
6, After the game we can hit downtown for some fun and drinks
7. Head home and get ready for the next day!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people I could recognize for the help and mentoring I’ve received in my industry.
– Rick Garza: My Late Father, After he was diagnosed with ALS, he and I shared an experience with cannabis where I helped him smoke in order to stimulate his appetite. It was a defining moment in my life when I comes to cannabis. I always enjoyed it with friends but this was the seed that needed to planted in order to get me where I am today. I credit my father with everything I have, because without that experience, his influence on my life or the lesson he taught me, I’m not sure if i would’ve ever pursued a career in the cannabis industry.
– Norma Garza: 45 years Financial industry experience. Mama you know what you’ve done and how you’ve been there for me. When Pops passed you’ve never let me feel alone and it means more than you know. Thank you. I love you. with all my heart.
– Luis Alfaro: COO of Bodhi High Extracts in Spokane Washington, one of my best friends and most knowledgeable people I’ve come across in the industry. Many working days, events and learning together, discussing and teaching cannabis to budtenders, consumers and many more. He has always had my back and helped me elevate my cannabis knowledge game.
– Eric Sattler: Founder Nvision Films and Cofounder of CannaLife. Eric and I go way back. Although I started CannaLife before he came on board, he has been in the mix for some years now, and has helped elevate my own creative ability and has taken CannaLife’s content creation to the next level.
– Curtis Simpson – Prior Service Military, Childhood best friend, Actor, Author. Curtis has always been one of my biggest supporters. From day 1 he has always encouraged me in anything I do. I’m forever grateful for his service, encouragement and loyalty as my friend and brother.
– Glen Mayes II: Colorado Cannabis Industry, Texas Hemp industry, Advocate/Activist. Glen and I have been great friends for many years. He and I got started in our respective industries at the same time. We both have been deeply involved in many facets of the cannabis industry and community. He son Orion is a beacon of hope and Love, who uses cannabis to reduce seizures, and pain. He is an inspiration to us all and Im grateful to have them in my live and in Cannalife’s corner.
– All the farms, people and friends that have shown love and support over the years. Thank you for that, I wouldn’t be here without all of y’all and those experiences we shared. I’m grateful and look forward to giving back.

Website: https://cannalifeculture.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannalifecultureco/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cannalife-culture-co-llc/

Twitter: https://x.com/CannalifeCo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CannaLifeCultureCo

Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cannacultureco

Image Credits
Ricky Garza
Eric Sattler