After graduating, Benz worked in various engineering roles, including at a scales factory and a bridge-building company. These experiences provided him with practical knowledge and insights into different aspects of industrial production, but he found none fulfilling.

Benz established his own company in Mannheim: an 'Iron Foundry and Mechanical Workshop'. The venture was precarious, facing financial difficulties from the start.

Carl Benz married Bertha Ringer. Bertha's dowry and business acumen proved crucial in saving the struggling workshop from bankruptcy.

To keep his business afloat, Benz focused on building stationary engines rather than pursuing his ambition of developing a self-propelled vehicle. This compromise provided a steady income but delayed his automotive research.

Benz patented a reliable two-stroke engine, a significant technical achievement that provided a more stable financial foundation for his company and allowed him to dedicate resources to developing a gasoline-powered automobile.