Hil Davis did not issue a carefully sanded statement about “headwinds.” He told Fox News Digital the truth in one blunt sentence.
Doing business in the state of California sucks.
Then he moved the company.
Davis is CEO of Digital Brands Group, an apparel and e-commerce firm listed as DBGI. The headquarters sat in Vernon, a few miles south of Los Angeles. It now sits in Round Rock, just north of Austin, more than 1,300 miles away. The Texas building is about 70,000 square feet of warehouse and office space as the company pushes deeper into collegiate sports apparel. Davis said the rent is roughly the same as what they paid in California.
Same money. Different country, for practical purposes.
Rent was never the whole indictment. California piles cost on cost until a grown man running a real business finally does the arithmetic. High cost of living. Workers burned by long commutes. A legal culture that treats a company like a piñata.
Permits, taxes, and a political class that talks about “equity” while chasing the people who sign the paychecks. Just the News recorded the same verdict Davis gave Fox. Add it up, he said, and the whole thing collapses.
You start to add all those things up. It doesn’t work. It doesn’t make sense. It’s too hard.
That is not a vibe. That is a balance sheet talking.
People Are Already Voting With the U-Haul
Sacramento still sells the weather and the myth. The IRS is selling something colder. The latest IRS migration numbers show Los Angeles County led the nation in taxpayer flight, a net loss of 17,496 filers who took nearly $1.9 billion in income with them. Orange County lost 11,618. San Diego lost 9,401. Riverside lost 8,968. San Bernardino lost 8,462.
Those are not tourists. Those are the households and businesses that fund schools, cops, and roads. When they leave, the tax base shrinks and the politicians reach for whoever is still standing. Heritage Foundation chief economist E.J. Antoni put it without poetry. People vote with their feet when they are taxed too much.
Davis is not predicting a Hollywood explosion. He expects a drip.
I don’t know if there’ll be, like, an explosion. I just think it’ll be a constant leak.
A leak is how a house rots. Slow enough that the people in charge can keep giving speeches while the floor gives way.
Scripture is not confused about this kind of vanity. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
California’s rulers keep stacking new towers of spending and control. They refuse to count the cost. Then they act shocked when a builder walks off the job.
Texas Did Not Have to Beg
Round Rock did not win this with a slogan. It offered a place where work is not treated as a moral defect. Lower operating costs. A central shipping point for a company that serves campuses across the country. Access to Austin’s workforce. Faster permission to build. Davis has said Texas is simply better for the operating environment, and better for the people on the payroll who would like a life they can afford.
Digital Brands Group is not torching every tie to Los Angeles. Some production stays there. That is the tell. California still has talent and a fashion bench that is hard to copy overnight. Silicon Valley and Hollywood remain magnets.
Davis admitted those centers of gravity are real. They are also not a hall pass for bad government. Tesla, Oracle, and Chevron already made their own versions of this decision. The Texas Comptroller has counted more than 150 California companies that moved headquarters to the Lone Star State over a recent decade. Davis is another name on a list Sacramento pretends not to see.
Now the same state that cannot keep its taxpayers wants to hunt the ones who remain. California is advancing a one-time tax of up to 5 percent on residents worth more than $1 billion, sold as a compassion project for health care and public programs.
Opponents warn it will shove more wealth and investment out the door. Mark Cuban has already said the scheme could send startups and capital elsewhere. Supporters talk as if the rich are livestock. History says livestock that can walk, will.
There is a Christian word for punishing the fruit of labor and then demanding more fruit. Folly. A state that makes honest enterprise “too hard” should not be surprised when the enterprise leaves. Davis counted the cost. California’s political class is still pretending the leak is rain.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
