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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.


Meet our Team

Ben Wacek, CFP®, CKA® Photo
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Ben Wacek, CFP®, CKA®

Founder & Lead Financial Planner

Ben Wacek, CFP®, CKA® 

Founder & Lead 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 find a wife, 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 young children and serves as an elder at his local church.

  Green Bay Packer fan who played quarterback at Bethel University

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

   Enjoys running and completed his fastest half marathon in 1:29:40


Amy Artiga, MBA Photo
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Amy Artiga, MBA

Financial Planner & Operations Manager

Amy Artiga, MBA

Operations Manager & Financial Planner

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 candidate for CFP® certification and has Bachelor’s degrees in theology and business, an MBA, and  a Masters in Family Financial Planning and Counseling at the University of Alabama. Amy lives in Vancouver, WA, with her husband and two children but still misses the sunshine of her native southern California.

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 does with her husband and children


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

Financial Planner

Cal Treichler, CFP®, 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 Planner™ designation. Cal lives in Richfield, MN with his wife, Kennedy, and their labradoodle, Penny.

  Native-born Vikings and Twins fan

   Loves board games of all kinds and card games like Dominion

   Worked at a McDonald’s for a summer as part of an outreach team


Randy Wacek, MBA Photo
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Randy Wacek, MBA

Paraplanner

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 is 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 40years, Char, and enjoys spoiling seven 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 


Kiersten Whitsell Photo
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Kiersten Whitsell

Client Service Associate

Kiersten Whitsell 

Client Service Associate


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

Volunteers with Camp Quality for kids with cancer

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