Benjamin Welek

Current Role/Title: 

• Owner – W. Services – Fractional CFO Services
• As a Fractional CFO, I offer expert financial advice and services to small and medium-sized businesses. My goal is to help companies achieve financial stability and growth by offering cost-effective solutions and strategies that are tailored to their specific needs and goals.
• The services offered are comprehensive and include financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, fundraising and M&A support, insurance and risk management, HR design and implementation, and much more.

What is something fascinating happening in your industry right now?

The concept of Fractional CFOs is interesting and is something that is becoming more and more popular these days. Essentially, a fractional CFO is a part-time or temporary Chief Financial Officer that a company can hire on a contract basis to help them with financial strategy and decision-making.

Think of it as hiring a consultant, but specifically for financial matters. It's a great option for smaller companies or startups that may not have the budget or need for a full-time CFO, but still need someone with financial expertise to help guide them.

Fractional CFOs can help with a variety of tasks, from financial planning and analysis to fundraising and investor relations. They can provide valuable insight and advice on how to manage cash flow, optimize profitability, and navigate complex financial regulations.

And because they work on a contract basis, fractional CFOs can be more flexible than full-time employees. Companies can hire them for a specific project or period of time, without committing to a long-term employment contract.

How did you end up in your current position?

The road to starting my own Fractional CFO consulting business stems from my love of working with and making a difference for startup companies. At age 24, I was the finance lead on the $35M acquisition of Newsy (a Columbia, MO based company) by the E.W. Scripps company. After completing my MBA at Mizzou, I moved to New York City to work as a professional liability underwriter for one the top P&C insurance firms in the world. The six years I spent in New York City provided me with the experience to grow both personally and professionally. When an opportunity arose for me to get back into the startup world, I could not pass it up. Along with my fellow co-founder, we launched an ed-tech company in Austin, TX that solved a real problem for our customers during COVID. It was a great experience that we ultimately had to wind down in the early part of 2023. I’ve now been able to combine all my experiences and skills to pursue my passion of helping startups build their business into profitable and sustainable enterprises.

In what ways has your Mizzou education/affiliation impacted your life since graduation?

The education I received at Mizzou laid the foundation for all the career opportunities that I have been blessed with. It all started as an undergraduate in the business school when I was first introduced and hired to my first full-time position out of college at Newsy. It was an unbelievable resume builder to help lead Newsy through a $35Mm acquisition at the age of 24 and allowed me to land my next job in New York City. It was my connection to fellow Mizzou alumni that brought me back into the startup world in Austin, TX. Mizzou was the foundation and I continue to build on top of the foundation Mizzou provided to this day.

Why did you choose Mizzou—what makes Mizzou special? Why should someone consider Mizzou?

As someone that was born and raised in Columbia, MO, the University of Missouri always held a special spot in my heart. Mizzou provides so many with the perfect combination of things that a perspective student is looking for: an unbelievable education, a great college town, a member of one the top athletic conferences, a large and diverse student body, and a strong alumni network. Being able to check all of those off my wish list made Mizzou an easy choice.  

Fondest memories while a student or faculty member here?

There are too many memories for me to share in a single blurb. Mizzou provided me with the full educational experience. From receiving my undergrad at the business school, to working as a graduate professor, to completing my MBA in the spring of 2015.  The school provided me with an amazing education and many life-long friends.

In your spare time, what do you like to do?

I’m a huge sports fan with my favorite teams being Mizzou (obviously!), the Kansas City Chiefs, and the St. Louis Cardinals. My wife and I also love to stay active, whether that’s exercising, going on hikes, playing sports (mainly golf and basketball) – any day spent outside and active is always enjoyed! Any other free time we get we love to spend traveling to new states and countries to experience their unique cultures.