The Patron Way: From Fantasy to Fortune - Lessons on Taking Any Business From Idea to Iconic Brand

I stumbled up this book while searching my Kindle for something new to read one night last week. Being a huge Tequila fan and self proclaimed expert :), I decided to give it a try. This book falls in between a Biography, a Thriller and a Lesson on some of the pitfalls and triumphs of starting a business from scratch. Ilana Edelstein certainly had one heck of a rocket ship ride adventure while being an intricate part of the Patron success story, and she gives us a clue as to some of the fun and many of the challenges that she and her partner Martin experienced on the journey. Being an entrepreneur myself I couldn't wait to get to the end of the story to find out how her efforts were rewarded. We all know the success of the Brand but I did not know the inside story of the Martin and JP partnership, nor Illana's involvement which I found fascinating. I won't give away the outcome but I will say it is a tragic love story along with clear examples of what not to do when forming business partnerships or becoming a key employee.I personally would like to see a follow up book that digs more into the details of the original plan, the funding, and the partnership arrangement to understand the budgeting and cash flow of what has become a billion dollar product in an amazingly short amount of time. That book could also delve in to the settlements and legal outcomes of the numerous challenges that occurred during the first 10 years of the product launch. There is certainly more to tell and I look forward to reading it. I highly recommend this book not just for those who like the Spirit but also for anyone just looking for a good read. Cheers!

this lady with a good heart and soul that I met in 2003/2004 to take care of my 403B investments at my work was such a lady with such a background. Never once did any of her "Patron" past ever come from her lips. We did talk of other things outside of business in which she did mention a certain country she really loved to vacation at - which is part of her "Patron" experience, but no details. She was and still is just an open, honest, friendly, and very hard-working and CARING lady who oversees all details of your investments, including doing your share of paperwork, decision-making (only if you ask - and you should), and always monitoring year-round. She goes and comes to you, regardless of time, place and distance. Oh, by the way, if you need a GOOD financial consultant.....!And did I say she was honest? All is included in this book - all the details - good, bad, ugly, juicy, uncomfortable, heart-warming, heart-breaking , and all the rest - in her relationship with her "Patron" Founder partner - personal and business, and the business side of the largest corporations of the world, that had to have a part of her "Patron" business "at no cost." They didn't take her heart or soul - Bravo!

This book is written almost like a movie. As much about marketing a sexy liquor as it is about Edelstein's relationship to one of the founders of Patron.Very, very interesting and valuable stories about her (and Patron's) legal troubles before Patron was acquired.These legal lessons aren't just valuable to business people but anyone.Certain chapters seem a bit out of place, but there's a charm to that in a sense. It's almost like stream-of-consciousness writing.It's people like Edelstein that really make an upstart brand catch fire. The passions she had (has) for the product is abundantly clear.Highly recommend for an easy, captivating, and spirited read!

Whether Edelstein`s version is all true or not she tells a great story. She had me from the first line. I worked in Monterrey Mexico for a time & drank my share of Patron. Now I know why I love it so much. This is a classic success story of vision and good old American ingenuity derived from confidence in the system and drive to win.I loved it. Ms. Edelstein is a rather pedantic writer but having lived through these events gives the story excitement and a ring of truth.

I became engrossed with this story from page 1 and could not put it down. Ms. Edelstein's account of her involvement to build the brand was an inspiring revelation to the power of being a selfless individual. I was kept entrhalled by her journey through her long 13 year relationship with her life partner Martin Crowley, founder of Patron Tequila. It was awakening to experience the gowth of the entrepreneurial road that most busniess memoir's fail to reveal. This is a book of empowerment for all. Kudos to Ms. Edelstein for writing from her heart.Anyone wanting to pursue a dream should read this book and realize that anything is within reach. Persistence does pay off.

I stayed up way too late reading this book! You won't be able to put it down. Thoroughly engrossing. Not sure I would call it a "business book", per se, although it certainly tells in detail how this business was born and developed.It also has given me a much better understanding and appreciation for Tequila.Order this book, you won't be disappointed if you like a great story. And watch for a movie...

I was hoping for more of a marketing primer on creating a powerful brand. It is more of a name dropping monologue of all of her fabulous, discerning, cultured friends. I give it three stars only because Patron has been marketed brilliantly, and I am determined to finish the book. :) I'm about halfway through it, hoping for the section on creating a brand...

Recommended to me by my girlfriend I approached this book slowly and quickly became engrossed. Great story, well told. Thanks Illana

Gran historia. Muy ligera la lectura.

Todo perfecto