Starting in the 1980s, Leonard and Arlene Horak owned cattle, and Leonard worked for his father-in-law, Arlin Taylor. Arlin was a fourth-generation cattle rancher and citrus farmer, well respected throughout Florida, and over the years he earned numerous accolades, including induction into the Manatee County Cattlemen's Association Hall of Fame, the Manatee Cattlemen's Patriot Award, Manatee County's Outstanding Agriculturalist of 1999, and several first-place calf roping titles from the 1950s and 1960s. Inspired by his father-in-law’s dedication and passion for ranching, Leonard began buying cattle on the 175 acres of pastureland he owned, all while running his own telecommunications business.

As Leonard and Arlene built their family, welcoming four children—Jay, Brittney, Kailie, and Tyler—they also created the name Circle 6. The “six” represents the six members of their family, while the “circle” reflects the unbreakable bond that would hold them together through life’s challenges. Throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, Leonard, Arlene, and their children tended their modest herd of cattle, balancing family life and hard work. Eventually, Leonard decided to sell his business and dedicate himself fully to the farm.

In 2012, Leonard and Arlene expanded their livestock operations, introducing layer and meat chickens, meat goats, and ducks. Tyler took the lead on goat and meat chicken production, while Leonard focused on cattle, ducks, and layer hens. Their products began selling successfully at several farmers markets across Central Florida, as well as through direct “off the farm” goat sales. Over the years, Circle 6 evolved alongside the family. Jay moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a music career, Brittney married Chase Schwilk and welcomed their children Brenham and Presley, Kailie moved to Nashville and became the owner of Circle 6 Hat Co, creating unique hat designs inspired by the ranch, and Tyler started college to pursue a master’s degree in coding. Despite these changes and new adventures, Leonard and Arlene kept Circle 6 thriving.

When COVID-19 arrived in 2020, Jay returned to Florida and rejoined the family business. That year also saw the reintroduction of meat goats, the addition of meat rabbits at Arlene’s request, and an expanded beef product line. While Circle 6 continues to grow and adapt, the promise remains the same: to honor the family and the land, remembering always what Circle 6 stands for. The six represents family, and the circle represents the enduring bond that holds them together, no matter the challenges that come their way.