Ben Klepacki

Ben Klepacki

Author: collide. May 22, 2025 Duration: 59:48

Turning a sketch on a napkin into a $20 million energy tech company? That’s exactly what happened and the story’s wild. From navigating the chaos of startup life to hitting pause after a major health scare, this convo pulls back the curtain on the real grit behind building Westgen Technologies. We’re talking leadership lessons, coaching that actually worked, and a whole lot of figuring things out the hard way. Oh, and if you’re into solving big problems like powering up remote wellsites without trashing the planet, you’ll want to hear how Ben’s doing just that.

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Click here to view the episode transcript.

00:00 - Intro
00:39 - Who is Ben Klepacki
10:36 - Balancing Different Personality Types
12:43 - Importance of Executive Coaching
18:23 - The Westgen Technologies Story
24:35 - Early Entrepreneurial Journey
27:25 - Motivations Behind Starting a Company
31:30 - Fundraising Challenges and Stress
35:30 - Relocating to Houston
40:45 - The Reality of 90-Hour Work Weeks
46:00 - Mental Health Struggles in Business
47:52 - Managing a Company During Personal Crisis
50:17 - Future Vision: Life in 3-5 Years
51:30 - Future Vision: Westgen in 3-5 Years
54:10 - Wrapping Up the Discussion
56:15 - Connecting with Ben & Westgen

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Jeremy Funk hosts What The Funk?, a podcast that moves past the standard industry headlines to find the human pulse of the oil and gas sector. This isn't about market forecasts or technical jargon, but the lived experiences of the people who make this complex world turn. Each conversation delves into personal journeys, the unexpected challenges faced on and off the rig, and the distinct personalities that shape this global industry. You'll hear from engineers, field operators, executives, and innovators as they share stories of problem-solving, career pivots, and the realities of working in a field that powers modern life. Produced by collide., these discussions explore the intersection of business and personal career paths in a way that's rarely highlighted. Tune in for candid, often surprising narratives that reveal the resilience, humor, and ambition driving one of the world's most critical industries. This podcast connects listeners to the voices behind the pipelines, offering a genuine look at the careers and characters defining energy today.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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