In this interview with The Driller, we sit down with Amy Nichols of Brown Well Drilling, a multi-generational family business with deep roots in the drilling industry. Founded by her grandfather Tyree, who ingeniously built his first drilling rig from scrapyard parts, Brown Well Drilling has grown through decades of hard work, innovation, and a commitment to serving the community. 

This legacy, started and nurtured by both men and women in the family, continues today with Amy and her family at the helm. In this interview, Amy shares the rich history of Brown Well Drilling, the invaluable contributions of her grandmother and father, and her vision for the future. This story is not just about a business; it's about a family's enduring legacy and their dedication to meeting the needs of the working man in America.

1. Can you tell us about Brown Well Drilling's early days and how your grandfather Tyree started the business?

My Papa Tyree was actually running a scrapyard when his brother-in-law needed a well. So he gathered up old car and truck parts from the yard and built a drilling rig. Soon after, word got out that he could drill wells, and so it began. A few years later, an area farmer came to him in need of irrigation, and that totally changed the focus from residential wells to irrigation. Of course, those wells fluctuated back and forth due to crop prices and weather conditions.

2. What role did your grandmother play in the business when it first started?

My grandmother went out on the rig with him. When my dad was old enough, the whole family trekked around to neighboring states, drilling wells for people. She also welded all of the well screen they used. Papa didn’t like store-bought screen, so they welded their own.

3. How did your father's involvement influence the direction of Brown Well Drilling?

My dad was actually the first to get a loan for a rig. My papa always built his own or paid cash for everything. Dad could see the change in drilling and knew they needed to go bigger. I don’t think my Papa necessarily agreed with it, but he went along.

4. What are some of the core values that have been passed down through the generations in your family business?

Hard work!!!! My papa, dad, and grandma were the hardest-working people I know (my dad is 70 and still out on the rig with us daily). Also, my dad and papa are very smart. They can build something out of junk and put it to use. We also have some clients who are 3-4 generational, and I feel that is because they’ve always treated customers as a relationship and not just a sale.

5. The technology and techniques in well drilling have certainly changed a bit since your grandfather’s time. Do you think younger generations, such as you and your father, getting involved in legacy businesses helps with this?

I do somewhat. However, we are still very old school here. Our newest rig is a 2001 model. We may read the journals and keep up with what is going on in the future of drilling, but we’re still out there on drilling with our 1960-something model, Portadrill.

6. Can you share a memorable story from your childhood that involves learning about drilling from your grandmother?

We all lived on the same block, with the shop between us. I remember visiting Grandma at the welding rack at the shop at an early age. She had this bucket of watches that the welder seemed to claim. When one quit, she’d throw it in. I think those watches were like trophies to her. In her late years, she would watch us load from her living room window and know where we were going and what we were doing by what was loaded on the trailer. She still knew the geology of the areas we drilled.

7. How has your family’s business impacted the local community and the farmers you serve?

I hope we have a part in making their yields the best they can be. We do our best to keep water on their crops all summer long. We do everything from drilling the irrigation wells to installing turbines, electric subs, and motors. It makes for some long days, but it is so rewarding to watch them harvest bumper crops in the fall.

8. What have been some of the biggest challenges the business has faced over the years?

The weather is a huge challenge for us. If it rains all summer, our job is eliminated. They don’t need us. Also, the economy is a big factor. If crop prices are down, farmers just do their best to get by. That means extras are at a minimum. They deal with what irrigation they have instead of upgrading.

9. What is your most important lesson learned from working in a family-owned business?

You cannot take anything personally in a family business even though you want to. When it’s family, sometimes feelings run high. Words are exchanged that shouldn’t be. You have to bite your tongue and just let things roll.

10. How do you see your role within the family business evolving in the next decade?

I hope to stay on the rig with our younger guys. We have a great group of guys who are very skilled in drilling and pump installation. I like to go out and help them. It’s nice watching them take charge.

11. What are your future goals for Brown Well Drilling?

I hope to continue being a resource for our customers and not a sales pitch. We also hope to continue supplying the same irrigation knowledge to keep our farmers' yields high.

12. What advice would you give young people interested in pursuing a career in the drilling industry?

It takes hard work and stamina to make it in this field. Starting out, you must take every job that comes your way, whether you like it or not. You also can’t be afraid to jump in there and totally make a mess of things. That’s how you learn. My dad always told me if I totally screwed something up, I’d learn more from it. I’d know what didn’t work next time.

13. Will the next generation of your family follow suit and become drillers, too? 

The fourth generation is already out here! My nephew, Eli, of my late brother (he passed at 31), and my daughter, Addie, both work here. My daughter takes care of the office, and my nephew loves installing turbines and doing pump work. Also, my son-in-law, Cole, is out on the rig with us. He was a heavy equipment operator before, so he has been a big asset to us over the past few years.

14. Do you think family connections play a big role in the drilling industry, and are you happy to work with your family?  

I do think drilling is very much a family affair. As with farming, it’s hard to get into this field just walking into it. Equipment is so expensive that if it’s not something you’re born into, it’s hard to start. Also, I have gained much knowledge from growing up in the industry. Knowledge you’d never learn from a book. I am so thankful to work with my dad daily. I will cherish every single moment I’ve had out on the job sites with him. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

15. What legacy do you hope to leave with Brown Well Drilling?

I hope my daughter and nephew both see me as a hard worker. It’s not easy being a woman in this field. I hope they know that I worked hard to get to where I am with the business, and they can continue to move forward with it even after I’m gone. But, hopefully, I’ll be like my dad and still be out here beyond retirement years!

Our conversation with Amy Nichols highlights the core values that have sustained Brown Well Drilling through decades of change and challenge: hard work, ingenuity, and a commitment to treating customers as lifelong partners. 

As Amy and her family continue to navigate the evolving landscape of the drilling industry, their story serves as a testament to the enduring strength of family businesses in America. 

By focusing on providing practical solutions to their community through human ingenuity and perseverance, the Nichols family ensures that Brown Well Drilling remains a vital resource for their humble town and beyond. With the fourth generation already contributing to the business, the legacy of this pioneering family of drillers—led by strong, dedicated men and women—continues to flourish.