Hoosier's note: This is a VERY SERIOUS matter.
When I was studying in the US about 30 years ago, I was told that the Economy of California is the 3rd largest in the World. I believe it is the 9th largest economy in the World in 2012 (slightly bigger than Russia),
And, if you can sell a product or service in California, you will be successful selling that product or service for the whole of the United States.
This is how important California is to the US economy.
Link: California Economy