Jewelry Business Leaves California Because of Woke Politics
Apples of Gold Jewelry, a leading online jewelry company, specializing in solid gold, platinum and sterling silver as well as authentic diamonds and gemstones, opened its virtual doors in 1999 in the golden state of California, where the owner, founder and CEO grew up since the late 1970s and realized his dream of not only becoming a successful, independent business man but a family man with a large family of five children. But as the years passed in his beloved home state and even with a thriving and growing business to support him and his family, living in California was no longer sustainable—not only financially, but ethically, morally and politically.
“California has changed drastically since I was a child growing up in the San Fernando Valley in the 70s, 80s and even 90s. California, particularly Los Angeles, where my family built a wholesale jewelry business in the heart of the downtown, L.A. jewelry mart, is simply no longer the California that I grew up in and loved. Things have changed dramatically.” The son of an immigrant from Shiraz, Iran, the owners of Apples of Gold, hold to conservative, family values. The CEO himself converted to Christianity in his college years and deepened his understanding of what it means to be both a Christian and a conservative. This was not a problem, until the radical onset of Leftist politics that overwhelmingly overtook the greater Los Angeles area and California in general.
Seeing the writing on the wall, Apples of Gold Jewelry moved its operations out of Southern California, closed its corporation and re-founded its company in Eastern Washington. One of the benefits of living in Washington is that there is no state income tax and the business taxes are fairly low. This, along with the increased cost of living, radical Leftist politics, anti-traditional family sentiments and extremist political views from Socialist Democrats really drove this virtual “mom and pop shop” out of California.
Now, the owners of Apples of Gold, are considering even more conservative States such as Idaho or Florida for their business, and ultimately, their family, as States like Washington have also moved in the direction of States like California.
Apples of Gold Jewelry specializes in not only solid gold, platinum and sterling silver, but a major part of their jewelry line includes items such as gold cross pendants and Christian jewelry, keeping in line with their state goals and ethics as well as their company name, “Apples of Gold Jewelry”, which is taken from the Bible, Proverbs 25:11: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” But Christian jewelry is by far not their only focus. In fact, they don’t classify themselves as a “Christian jewelry company”, but as a fine jewelry company that is Christian owned and operated. This holds true as we examine their products and compare them to major jewelry companies, such as Zales, Blue Nile, Tiffany and Co, and other fine jewelers who are competing the same space. You can find wedding rings, engagement rings, diamonds, high-end gold chains and bracelets and much more. The difference is the traditional values they strive to uphold, while treating everyone equally, without catering to the demands of “woke” politics or corporate trends that appear to be sweeping America for the Almighty dollar. “We are consistent in our beliefs and the way that we conduct business. Our focus is not politics, but jewelry. While we hold to conservative, Christian values personally, this should not bleed over into how we treat every individual customer and employee. Everyone is welcome to shop with Apples of Gold. At the same time, we cannot compromise our personal beliefs and freedoms, which are guaranteed to us by God and preserved by law in the wonderful and fundamental document called, the US Constitution.” (Statement from Apples of Gold Jewelry).
Many corporations have moved their operations out of California, including big names such as Tesla and Elon Musk, who built their Gigafactory most recently in the State of Texas. Unless California brings back common sense policies, both within the business climate and finds a reasonable way to co-exist with those who disagree with them, more of this can be expected, as both small and large businesses migrate out of California for a more business friendly, financially friendly, and family friendly environment.