TSCN#103: Your Brand, Your Beef Pt. 2
Who was Jimmy Dean?
I’m a punchy cowboy, so let me get straight to the point. We’re at a crossroads, folks—the twilight of an era where the handshake of a cattleman meant quality and trust. I’ve seen brands rise and fall, and the story of Jimmy Dean’s brand is one that speaks to the heart of this cowboy. Jimmy, a singer turned sausage kingpin, built a brand that was all about integrity. He knew his product, he stood by it, and folks knew they were getting something special. But as time marched on, that brand, like many in our industry, got lassoed by bigger outfits, and the essence of what made it stand out got lost in the dust.
This tale isn't unique; it's echoed across the vast pastures of our industry. We've watched the corporate roundup herd us into a corner. Once, the cattle industry was a tapestry of individual threads—each ranch, each brand, weaving its own story. Today, four big herders are penning in close to 85% of the market. The spirit of the open range is being fenced in, and with it, the freedom to stand out, to be your own brand, your own boss, your own version of Jimmy Dean.
But let me tell you, this ain’t just a story of loss and nostalgia. It's a rallying cry. It’s a call to all you hardworking ranchers and cowpokes who wake with the dawn and work with the land. It's a call to remember what our brands stand for—not just the cattle we raise, but the legacy we carry on. The brand of Jimmy Dean should be a lesson to us, a reminder that what we build can outlast the flicker of today's market trends. It's about planting our boots firm in the soil of tradition while reaching for the reins of innovation.
So here's what we're going to do. We're going to take a page out of Jimmy’s book, but write our own ending. We're going to raise our cattle with pride, process our meats with the care they deserve, and sell products that are the embodiment of healthy, safe, and local. Our brands won’t be just marks on the hide; they’ll be symbols of our way of life, our commitment to our community, and our preservation of the cowboy spirit.
I invested everything I’ve got to feed our community and uphold what we stand for. And I'm asking you to join me. Let's hitch our wagons to the star of independence and ride out this wave of consolidation. Let's show them that in the heart of America, the soul of the cattleman still beats strong.
We're more than the meats we sell; we're the guardians of a way of life. And as long as there's a Texas Slim, there's a way back to what made us great. Let’s keep those brands burning bright and hold fast to the cowboy way of life. Here’s to the horizon, and here's to us.
Yours on the trail,
Texas Slim
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