California Craziness Reminded Me of Cheap Simple Companies

The market has forgotten about these three household companies

Jun 10, 2026

“Strong opinions and weak education,” is what my friend thinks of people in California.

I like to say, “My heart and soul is in the California, but my brain is in Florida.”

However you put it, the Golden State is hard to fit in a box.

The State has one of the largest economies in the world, yet they went from a $100 billion surplus in 2022 to a $14 billion deficit in 2026.
California has one of the most cut-throat capitalist business centers in the entire world (Silicon Valley), yet Sacramento has created one of the highest taxed and regulated jurisdictions you’ll find anywhere.
The population loves freedom and walks around barefoot in nature, yet they also vote for a nanny-like government that provides everything from free needles to drug addicts to free healthcare for illegal immigrants.

But I don’t need to tell you all of this. California’s reputation within the US, and globally, is that the State is a laughingstock and at the same time a pillar for innovation.

It’s bizarre.

The weather and geography is probably to blame. It’s just so damn beautiful there that people - both the good and bad - can’t resist eating the forbidden fruit.

California Trippin’

I just returned last night from spending 10 days in my home state. I took my kids on our semi-annual California tour, visiting all of our friends and family.

It was great. We got fun surf, ate amazing food, and enjoyed the June gloom.

The trip was also a much needed disconnect for me, as I got to step away from the computer and enjoy some amazing people watching.

I saw it all. The crackheads, the pierced-purple-heads, the hard-working blue collars, and the proverbial ‘hipster or homeless?’ jaywalkers.

Despite all of these interesting people, there was one overwhelming observation that stood out to me: They all still do normal things.

They buy food, medicine, soap, toothpaste, and some even buy toilet paper!

They talk about family problems, what the weather is going to be like, and argue about what to have for dinner.

During my entire trip I didn’t have one conversation about AI, data centers, or what iPhone was coming out next.

What I’m getting at is this: The world can be crazy. People can be crazy. And through all of that craziness, we often times forget about the important simple things right in front of us.

California was a great reminder for me.