INDEX
SPOTLIGHT
Summit Sweeping and Services, Inc., Fort Wayne IN
Nearly 30 years ago, with no experience in the industry, Mike Oetting was motivated to start a construction power sweeping business. His challenges back then were unique from those we’ve heard about from other great entrepreneurs who each, like Oetting, have grown a thriving company starting with only a guy and a truck. From zero to operating a large facility with a sizeable team, Oetting has created a business model that is ideal for the Fort Wayne area industrial power sweeping market.
A
dding his special talent for building business
He said, “Can you do a job or two for me?” Then, he gave me
relationships at every level, Mike has developed a
a couple more jobs to do. Unbeknownst to me, he already
regional customer base and word-of-mouth reputation that have enabled Summit Sweeping to weather the 2020
had the hook in. I worked for that company for 14 years. They were a heavy highway contractor, building roads,
national economic disaster and that promises to sustain
landfills, and doing site development. I managed their
and further grow his company through 2021 and well
landscaping and snow removal operations within the state
beyond. Mike tells the story:
of Indiana. I drove about a thousand miles per week. The
THE YEARS LEADING TO SUMMIT
people in the business were very educated, civil engineers,
In my younger years, my background was in horticulture.
and operating engineers, all performing at a fast pace. I felt
I had my own landscaping and snow plowing business.
I was in over my head when I took the job, but it was one
It was a small operation, two or three people. I hired an
of those you quickly grow into. It was a great job and I was
excavating company to do some work at my home, and the
paid well, but I was never home.
owner tried to hire me. I said, “No, I like my small company.”
2 8 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R NO V EM BER 2020
Many times, I’d be in Indianapolis, about two hours from
Vi si t Us
