Aggie Benedia started a small company known in the legal community as Benedia Certified Court Reporting back in 1975. She sub-leased office space from two good friends in the downtown Chicago area. Aggie borrowed an old desk and installed one phone line to get things started. Not knowing much about court reporting, she was eager to learn and destined to make it! Unaware that she would be the first non-court reporter to own and operate a court reporting agency in the Chicago land area, she welcomed the challenge. Often told by her peers she would not last in this “cut throat” businessbecause she was just too nice. The odds were surely against her…
It started back in 1968, when Aggie worked for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.She was known as the friendly bubbly lady in a not so friendly office. She worked her way up to head cashier making many lawyer friends. These attorneys would often avoid the other cashier lines just to wait to say hi to her. Noticing how well liked she was, one lawyer suggested she start her own court reporting business. Not knowing much about court reporting and what it actually was, she educated herself and thought “What can I lose?” With limitedresources and a heart to serve, Benedia Certified Court Reporting got started in 1975. What started out as a part-time job at that Cook County Sheriff’s Office had now paved the way to Aggie’s humble beginnings as an agency owner.
It wasn’t long before clients began using Benedia Certified Court Reporting, appreciating the professionalism and great service they came to expect from Aggie. She soonbecame a well respected business woman and a friend to all her colleagues. Aggie treated everyone like family.Her warm, friendly, honest, personality would soon shine throughout the city. Everyone knew of Aggie Benedia and wanted to work for her because of her willingness to bless them and make them feel important.
Being a woman of faith, she encouraged the personal growth of the reporters that worked for her, even when they ventured off and began businesses of their own. She knew God would still take care of her.
Her husband Phil joined the team in 1985.Together they continued working hard to build the business.
In 1994 Aggie retired along with her husband Phil and has left her legacy behind. She is forever grateful for all the attorneys that saw something in her that she did not see in herself.
Benedia Certified Court Reporting has now seen its third generation. From those humble beginnings, bathed in sound ethics, integrity and alove for serving people we now go on to the third generation as Benedia Court Reporting Services.
A good name is worth more than great riches!
