How Swedberg Electric Grew Without Losing Its Roots

The phone could ring at 10 at night. Vacations sometimes had to wait. And for a time, the Swedbergs’ small office had room for both the company’s paperwork and their children’s playpens.

That was life as Jim and Jessica Swedberg built their electrical business in their hometown of Sycamore, Illinois. Jim had been around the trade since he was 15 and had long wanted to own a company. Jessica shared his belief that they could make it work. In 2004, they took the leap.

Jim managed the work in the field while Jessica handled the books, billing, insurance, and banking. They found their balance as the business grew. A project at a local wellness center became a turning point, opening the door to larger jobs.

The people who grew with the company are part of its story, too. Jim’s sister, Sharon Ordaz, is Swedberg Electric’s payroll specialist. “He’s a great leader and teacher, and I thank him for believing in me and watching me grow to who I am today,” she says.

Today, Swedberg Electric is part of the Crete United network. The partnership has given the team better visibility into its jobs, resources to help it operate more efficiently, and other partners to lean on. Throughout the process of joining the network, Crete United listened to Jim, Jessica, and their team, worked through the details with them, and made sure they felt supported.

The company has grown far beyond that small office. With the Crete United network behind them, Jim, Jessica, and their team have more support for the work ahead while staying true to the business they built together.