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About Guide Financial Planning

As a young professional, Ben Wacek found himself working for financial firms with high asset minimums where he wouldn’t have even been eligible to be a client himself. Because of the business structure of his employers, he wasn’t able to help those closest to him—his family and friends.

He longed to work for a fee-only firm, free of conflicts of interest, where he could help anyone regardless of their net worth. He also wanted the freedom to bring the most important part of who he is into his work- his Christian faith.

Unable to find such a firm, he started one.

Here at Guide Financial Planning, we see ourselves as your financial guide on this journey called life. Money is confusing, but we’re here to help you figure it out.

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Meet our Team

Ben Wacek, CFP®, CKA®, TPCP® Photo

Ben Wacek, CFP®, CKA®, TPCP®

Founder & Financial Planner

Ben Wacek, CFP®, CKA®, TPCP®

Founder & Financial Planner

Upon graduation from Bethel University with a degree in finance, Ben entered the field of financial planning and never looked back. After working for several financial planning firms, earning his Certified Financial Planner® designation and taking a short hiatus to attend his church’s leadership training program and get married, he launched Guide Financial Planning. He loves financial planning because it allows him to use his technical skills to make a true difference in people’s lives. Ben lives in Arden Hills, MN with his wife and four children and serves in his local church.

Green Bay Packer fan who was a backup quarterback on Bethel University's football team

Loves to travel and has been to 5 of the 7 continents

Enjoys running and completed his fastest half-marathon in 1:27:57

Schedule an intro call with ben

Amy Artiga, CFP®, CKA® Photo

Amy Artiga, CFP®, CKA®

Financial Planner & Operations Manager

Amy Artiga, CFP®, CKA®

Financial Planner & Operations Manager

Amy discovered the world of personal finance as a stay-at-home mom through Dave Ramsey and decided that she wanted to use her love of learning to help others navigate this crucial area of life. She spends her days homeschooling and helping people with their finances through Guide Financial Planning and her blog, PastorsWallet.com. She is a CFP® professional, Certified Kingdom Advisor® and has Bachelor’s degrees in theology and business, an MBA, and a Master's in Family Financial Planning and Counseling. Amy is a recent transplant to Cumming, GA, after growing up in southern California and spending her adult life in the Pacific Northwest. She is married and has two children.

Won the top prize in the baking department at the county fair for her 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

Has been on missions trips on 4 different continents

Favorite sport is snowboarding, which she used to do with her husband and children

schedule an intro call with amy

Cal Treichler, CFP®, CKA®, CSLP® Photo

Cal Treichler, CFP®, CKA®, CSLP®

Financial Planner

Cal Treichler, CFP®, CKA®, CSLP®

Financial Planner

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Cal (short for Calvin) didn’t go far from home when he studied finance and nonprofit management at the University of Minnesota. He did make the most of his college years, though, doing missions work in the Dominican Republic and South Carolina with Cru and interning with Guide Financial Planning. Wanting to dedicate his life to helping people, he began working in financial planning upon graduation in 2018 and obtained the Certified Financial Planner® designation early in 2021. He has also done advanced studies in student loans and holds the Certified Student Loan Professional™ designation. Cal lives in Richfield, MN with his wife, Kennedy, new daughter, Molly, and their labradoodle, Penny.

Native-born Vikings and Twins fan

Loves board games of all kinds

Enjoys golf, softball, hiking, and camping

schedule an intro call with cal

Kiersten Whitsell Photo

Kiersten Whitsell

Kiersten Whitsell

Paraplanner

Kiersten received her B.S. degree in Financial Services & Corporate Finance from Northwest Missouri State University in 2013. With a passion for finance and serving clients, she has worked in financial services ever since. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in the countryside outside of St. Joseph, MO. When she’s not serving Guide Financial Planning’s clients, she keeps herself busy raising her three young boys and tending to their chickens and garden.

Became a certified scuba diver on her honeymoon in Jamaica

Loves to go camping with her family in the summer

Built her house with her own two hands (along with her husband)

Randy Wacek, MBA Photo

Randy Wacek, MBA

Randy Wacek, MBA

Paraplanner

Randy honed his analytical skills over 40 years as a manufacturing/quality engineer. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, an MBA, and was a registered Professional Engineer. However, his true passion has always been personal finance, so he joined his son Ben in an encore career in financial planning. At Guide Financial Planning, he uses his precision and attention to detail to strengthen the investment side of the company and provide support in developing financial plans. He lives in Fond du Lac, WI, with his wife of 42 years, Char, and enjoys spoiling nine grandchildren.

Still plays touch football, once-a-year, on Thanksgiving morning

Once beat his son, Ben, in a one-on-one basketball game (Ben was 10)

Favorite place to spend time with friends and family is his cabin in northern Wisconsin during the summer months

Chelsea Reynolds Photo

Chelsea Reynolds

Client Service Associate

Chelsea Reynolds

Client Service Associate

After working in early childhood education and property management, Chelsea found her way to Guide Financial Planning where she serves our clients with a smile. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband and sons, and doing outdoor activities. She also loves serving her church and building connections and relationships with people. Chelsea was born in Virginia, spent some time living in the Twin Cities, MN and now resides in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Enjoys reading, particularly nonfiction

Loves traveling to new places, though her favorites so far are Puerto Rico, Washington and Minnesota’s North Shore

Loves spending time in nature, whether hiking, camping, biking or rock climbing. Favorite hike was The Enchantments in Washington

Jacob Stone Photo

Jacob Stone

Jacob Stone

Intern

Jacob earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biblical and Theological Studies from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and began seminary training at Bethlehem College & Seminary quickly afterward. Knowing he wanted to serve people practically and having a deep interest in personal finance, he set his mind on becoming a financial planner. He is currently a candidate for the Certified Financial Planner® designation, which will help him achieve his goal of bringing peace and confidence to people’s financial lives. Jacob lives in Fridley, MN with his wife Meredith and their son Reid.

Currently has 106 digits of Pi memorized

Still enjoys cookie dough blizzards after eating them almost every day as a kid

Enjoys walking, hiking, running, and laughing with his family