It’s Our Business

Cattle ranchers have long used the hot iron branding method to designate ownership of their stock. The word “brand” itself originates from the Old Norse “brandr,” meaning “to burn,” which referred to burning a mark onto livestock.

The brand symbols were typically simplistic to be easily identified, and they are most often meaningful for the families that owned/ operated the cattle ranches. While many represent surnames or business names, sometimes brands represented the land or family values.

Today, we use logos as the symbols of an organization’s brand. A brand is the collective identity and promise of an organization, reflected in its values, mission, visual elements, and stakeholder interactions, and is designed to build recognition, trust, and loyalty beyond individual products or services.

The Chamber’s board of directors set a goal for 2025 — everything we do must be on mission: To Champion Our Business Community Through Collaboration, Information, and Service This mission has led to the addition of programs such as the Master Class series and the entrepreneur initiative.

The Chamber also refocused the Leaders Breakfast and Leadership Gillespie County on key issues or initiatives in our community.

With the success of the Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival and our crown jewel, the Light the Night Christmas Parade, we are looking to add more programs for our members to promote sustainable growth along with supporting key community initiatives such as the incubator and culinary programs at Fredericksburg High School.

With a re-energized mission and expansion of our products and services, the Chamber has now refreshed our brand to reflect this growth and recommitment to our community: On and around Main Street, there are several mighty live oak trees that are estimated to be hundreds of years old. The grand oak tree at Evers House on North Washington Street is estimated to be over 400 years old. The live oaks in our community have a historical and cultural significance.

Symbolism of Leaves and Acorns

• Leaves: The evergreen nature of live oak leaves — remaining green yearround — symbolizes vitality, perseverance and stability. The tree is rarely without green leaves, which is why it is called a “live” oak, reinforcing the idea of ongoing life and renewal.

• Acorns: Acorns are a universal symbol of potential and growth. For live oaks, they also represent the tree’s role in sustaining local wildlife and the broader ecosystem, as their acorns provide food for many animals.

In a community context, acorns can symbolize the seeds of new ideas, businesses, and civic initiatives that the Chamber of Commerce seeks to nurture.

Live oaks are deeply embedded in the landscape and identity of the Texas Hill Country, including Fredericksburg. These trees are recognized not just for their physical presence, but also for their symbolic value.

Live oaks are seen as keepers of our past and the guardians of our future, representing continuity, resilience and a living connection to local heritage.

Their leaves and acorns are natural emblems of this enduring strength and legacy.

The culture of our community is much like our beloved live oaks: strong, resilient and growing so that we continue to be a vital community.

We are a community that indeed is where Heritage Meets Opportunity.

Mikula is the president and CEO of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce.