57 Years Isn't Luck

The people, faith, and hard work behind a family-owned recycling company in New Braunfels, Texas.

"Wow... You All Are So Lucky."

Last month, we celebrated 57 years in business at Comal Iron & Metals, our family-owned scrap metal recycling company in New Braunfels, Texas.

To mark the occasion, we kept things simple: hot dogs, popcorn, and a small surprise for some of our customers—a lottery ticket.

As I watched those lottery tickets go out the door, I couldn't help but smile.

Because every time someone hears we've been in business for 57 years, there's a part of them that assumes there must have been some luck involved.

"Wow… y'all are so lucky."

Maybe there was a little luck.

But if there's one thing I've learned in the more than 20 years I've been part of Comal

Iron & Metals, it's this:

Faithfulness to show up.

Courage to keep going.

Commitment to do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

Built by Courage, Commitment, and Faith

When Grandpa Pasqual and Grandma Rosa borrowed $2,000 to start Comal Iron & Metals, there were no guarantees.

They simply believed it was worth trying.

That wasn't luck. That was courage.

When Grandpa Pasqual passed away unexpectedly, Johnnie Sr. was only 19 years old.

Overnight, he found himself carrying a responsibility that most people twice his age wouldn't have wanted.

He grew a small business that once operated from a 10-by-10 shed into the 4.6-acre recycling facility we call home today.

That wasn't luck. That was commitment.

Years later, after my mother-in-law, MaryAnn, passed away unexpectedly, Johnnie Jr. and Roger stepped into leadership during another season of unimaginable loss.

That was faith.

Then, in late 2022, our family made another difficult decision.

We intentionally shifted Comal Iron & Metals from an owner-led business to a leadership-driven organization—with legacy in mind.

We wanted to build something that could outlive all of us.

A business that would serve future generations—not depend on one generation.

That wasn't luck. That was stewardship.

The People Behind 57 Years

As I reflected on 57 years, I found myself thinking less about the business and more about the people.

The customers we've known by name.

The fellow small business owners who became friends.

The employees who showed up day after day.

The vendors and partners who believed in us.

And the family who sacrificed to make it all possible.

I think about customers like Mr. Pruess, Mr. Brooks, Officer Wommack, and so many others who are no longer with us, but whose stories will always be woven into ours.

Their laughter.

Their conversations across the scale.

The stories they shared while waiting on a ticket.

The relationships built over decades.

Business don't last 57 years because of one family.

They last becuase good people choose to show up every single day.

A Changing Town. Unchanging Values.

For nearly six decades, we've helped recycle scrap metal for homeowners, contractors, manufacturers, and businesses throughout New Braunfels and the surrounding communities.

The town has changed dramatically.

When Comal Iron & Metals moved to our current location in the late 1970s, Gruene was still pretty much a ghost town.

FM 306 was a two-lane rural road without lights or stop signs.

Our property was surrounded by corn and cotton fields.

Common Street north of Loop 337 didn't even exist.

Today, it's almost impossible to imagine!!!

Yet while our city has grown, some things haven't changed.

Relationships still matter.

Your word still matters.

Hard work still matters.

Taking care of people still matters.

Those values mattered in 1969.

They still matter today.

Stewardship

Stewardship is a word I come back to often.

I married into this family, but I have the privilege of helping carry its story forward.

Long before I became CEO, I believed God places each of us where we are for a reason.

I don't believe I own this story.

I believe I've been entrusted with one chapter of it.

This business existed long before I stepped into leadership.

My responsibility is simply to leave it stronger than I found it.

To care for our people.

To serve our customers.

To invest in our community.

To honor those who came before us.

And to prepare the way for whoever comes next.

57 Years Isn't Luck

The anniversary celebration lasted only a day.

The hot dogs were eaten.

The popcorn machine was packed away.

The lottery tickets were handed out.

But the lesson remains.

Lasting success isn't built on luck.

It's built on trust.

It's built on relationships.

It's built by ordinary people faithfully doing extraordinary things over a very long period of time.

Most importantly... It's built together.

We believe God has entrusted us with this business, and we're grateful for the opportunity to serve people, our hometown, and a purpose greater than ourselves.

For 57 years, the people of New Braunfels have allowed us to be part of their lives.

That's a privilege we'll never take for granted.

To every employee who gave their best.

To every customer who trusted us.

To every vendor and partner who stood beside us.

And to every family who chose to support a local business...

Thank you... We are honored to be part of your story.

Whether you've been recycling with us for decades or you're visiting Comal Iron & Metals for the first time, thank you for allowing us to be part of your story. We look forward to serving New Braunfels and the surrounding communities for generations to come.

About the Author

Marcie Rodriguez is the CEO of Comal Iron & Metals, a family-owned scrap metal recycling company in New Braunfels, Texas. She is passionate about stewardship, leadership, and strengthening the community through responsible recycling, education, and service.