Prior to the decision to start a drilling business, Ed and Eleanor tried their hand at a number of occupations including a dray line business (which consisted of delivering freight from the railroad), hauling mail from Grand Rapids to Carlton, Remer, Longville and Deer River, and hauling Hormel meats after they sold the mail runs. It was about that time the Benes moved to their present office location and as luck would have it, next door to a well driller (Ole Hukee) who needed occasional help. Ed decided to try his hand at helping to drill and was soon figuring things out on his own. When Ole decided to retire, Ed and Eleanor knew they had to find the courage to start their own well drilling business.

Fortunately for Ed and Eleanor, the local building contractors supported the Benes decision to start their own business and went so far as to say they would help him get the money. In the ensuing years they continued to support the Benes' bringing them enough jobs to stay solvent. In any case, $500 was borrowed to purchase the first "rig" which was actually an old mining drill that was placed on an old logging truck they had. Being fresh in the business, buying pipe presented a financial difficulty. Eleanor had sold Avon products for a number of years and had earned some bonds from that business. The bonds were sold and garnered enough money to buy enough pipe for perhaps 2 wells. As finances didn't warrant buying more than a little at a time, they were forced to drive to Duluth after each well was drilled to pick up more pipe for the next well. Obviously, it was necessary to be paid upon the finish of each job.