Our Story

Serving Clients with Fixed Asset Consulting Services Since 1985

For over 35 years, Paragon has championed fixed asset-driven businesses and the people who lead them forward.

In 1985, Rick Swarts was a senior vice president for a large company, overseeing 17 offices and 153 people. Then, that company experienced financial struggle and was sold. The original culture of integrity and deep respect for people vanished under the new owners. True to his values, Rick made the difficult decision to resign after 18 years of loyal service and move on to a new adventure.

Finding a new position, he thought, would be easy. It was the Reagan boom years and the Ohio native had an impressive engineering and business background, but he couldn’t find the right company fit. In a “bet-the-house” move, he launched his own company, Chicago Business Consultants (CBCC). Not sure about the services he would offer, Rick felt “consultants” was broad enough to cover all options.

The company grew, focusing on fixed asset consulting services, including cost segregation analyses, property valuations, and equipment appraisals. Swarts rented an office and hired an administrative assistant. His team soon outgrew the space. During the mid-nineties, Rick moved the business to its present location in Schaumburg.

Expansion into Technology Solutions and Services

In that same decade, the debut of the World Wide Web, cell phones and DVDs changed the way people lived and worked. Companies began turning to Rick for technology guidance. A large insurance company asked his team for handheld barcode technology to tag and track their fixed assets. More companies sought similar solutions. CBC became the first business partner of Best Software, reselling their barcode products and fixed assets software (FAS) solution.

Two sides of Rick’s company emerged. In 2000, after a career as a CFO, VP of operations and network administrator, Rick’s son Scott joined him to actively market and grow their FAS business. That same year, Best Software was acquired by Sage and the solution is now known as Sage Fixed Assets. As demand for related fixed asset management services grew, CBC added implementation, data conversion, training, inventory, and cloud hosting services to its offerings.

Shortly thereafter, global fixed asset consulting opportunities proved the company had now outgrown its name.

A global oil company and a major food company sought fixed asset consulting services in Europe. Chicago Business Consultants got both contracts, but the company had to work harder to win the business to compensate for its regional brand name.

Always ready to find a way through, Rick gathered his team and held a naming contest. By day’s end, his daughter Shelle triumphed. “Paragon” meant excellence. Adding “International” put the company on a global stage. They set up two divisions, with Rick overseeing Paragon Valuation Group and Scott leading Paragon Systems. Chicago Business Consultants continues as a fully licensed business brokerage division under Paragon International.

Remaining True to Our Founding Values

The same founding values still guide the company today:

• Integrity first
• Relentless pursuit of opportunity
• Relationships matter
• There’s always a way through
• Enriching the lives of people we serve

As the company progressed over time, Paragon’s story has come full circle. What started out as one man’s career decision post-acquisition has led to a remarkable impact for hundreds of companies around the world.

To learn more about Paragon’s founding and growth, read our 35th Anniversary blog.

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