1914 — Booz graduates from Northwestern University with a master's degree and establishes The Business Research Service, a consulting firm headquartered in the Otis Building in Chicago. His first major client is the Illinois State Railroad.

1917 — Booz is drafted into the U.S. Army; attains rank of Major. Works for personnel system during WWI.

1919 — Booz returns to Chicago and opens Edwin G. Booz, Business Engineering Service; State Bank & Trust of Evanston, IL, provides loan—and becomes first client.

1924 — The firm changes its name to Edwin G. Booz Surveys.

1925 — George W. Fry joins the firm as its second employee.