The Driving Force Behind Southlake Oktoberfest - the #4-rated Oktoberfest in America

Today’s speaker was honored as the 2020 Small Business of the Year by the Fort Worth Business Press… and it was an accident.You see, Ian MacLean was never supposed to be in the landscaping business. Having grown up in the Fort Worth area and with his father working for American Airlines, Ian wanted to be an airline pilot, so he attended and graduated from one of the elite flight schools in America – the University of North Dakota.He graduated and was ready to become an airline pilot… right around September 11, 2001. Yes, 9-11. And all those airline pilot jobs disappeared overnight. Ian, who had worked in landscaping jobs, returned to what he knew and formed Highland Landscaping, which has become one of the most respected landscaping companies in North Texas.·     This year the 12th time to chair Southlake Oktoberfest, ranked #1 in Texas, #4 in the United States·     Man of faith – created MISSION IN THE MARKETPLACE – a ministry event that will return in 2026·     Chaired the Southlake Chamber·     Then worked his way up and chaired the Small Business Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce·     He’s The Voice of Small Business, and a very successful owner of Highland Landscaping.