Benjamin Wey, a multilingual American financier and seasoned Wall Street investment banker, embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of America. He arrived in the United States from Beijing with just $62, a one-way plane ticket, and a full scholarship. Through hard work and determination, he launched several businesses during his college years and steadily rose in the financial world, eventually becoming the CEO of an international private equity firm with access to over $3 billion in investment capital, funding tens of thousands of jobs worldwide.
With more than two decades of experience, Wey has led and participated in over 800 global investment banking, strategic advisory, and project financing engagements. He has been recognized by publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and The New York Times for his expertise and his role as a key “Bridge” between U.S. and Chinese capital markets.
A Columbia University graduate with two master’s degrees in business, Wey’s success is rooted in ethical optimism, relentless perseverance, and a deep understanding of both American and Chinese cultures. His ability to connect these two economic powerhouses has distinguished him in the global finance community, earning the trust and respect of his peers in both nations. His leadership and unwavering drive to push the boundaries of possibility continue to propel his clients and business ventures toward success.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical business day starts early, I stay ahead of global markets, particularly between the U.S. and Europe. I begin by reviewing financial reports and market developments, these helps guide my strategic decisions.
Mornings are usually dedicated to high-level meetings with my executive team, assessing ongoing projects and identifying new opportunities.
With clients and partners spanning many time zones, a significant portion of my day is spent in cross-border communications, negotiating deals, and advising on mergers, acquisitions, and project financing. I stay hands-on in every transaction, ensuring precision and successful outcomes.
Client relationships are key to my success, so I often meet with stakeholders over lunch or in the office to discuss opportunities and progress. As a leader of a private equity firm with access to billions in investment capital, I’m constantly identifying new avenues for growth, both for my clients and my own ventures.
Even after typical business hours, I stay engaged, coordinating with global teams and attending events to expand my network. My focus is always on executing deals efficiently and driving innovation across borders.
How do you bring ideas to life?
By combining strategic insight, hands-on leadership, and a strong global network. I identify untapped market opportunities, both in the US and abroad, where I have a deep understanding of both economies. Our team conducts detailed market analysis to assess feasibility and potential risks, ensuring that each idea is grounded in data.
I fund ventures that have high growth potential, and my strength lies in aligning market demand with profitable opportunities, and I assemble expert teams to execute deals. I stay directly involved in deal structuring, negotiations, and partnerships, ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
Once a business is in motion, I remain engaged, continually refining strategies to adapt to market changes. My focus on precision, innovation, and long-term growth ensures that each venture I lead is positioned for sustained success.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me in the fintech sector is the rapid development of blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionize traditional financial systems. Beyond cryptocurrencies, blockchain offers a decentralized, transparent way to handle transactions, making processes more efficient and secure. The ability to streamline cross-border payments, reduce transaction costs, and improve financial inclusion—especially in emerging markets presents enormous opportunities.
We’re seeing a shift where major financial institutions are beginning to adopt and integrate blockchain technology into their infrastructure. This can reshape how we think about banking, capital markets, and even regulatory compliance. The scalability and transparency of blockchain give it the power to increase trust in financial transactions while also reducing inefficiencies that have historically slowed down the global financial system.
In fintech, the potential for blockchain to enhance security, improve transparency, and open new investment avenues is incredibly exciting. It’s a space I’m actively watching, and I see great potential for growth and innovation.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
By taking the time to plan and align my goals first thing in the morning, I ensure that I’m always working toward results rather than just reacting to situations. I start my day by reviewing key tasks, market updates, and priorities before diving into meetings or calls.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d remind myself to take calculated risks more confidently. Trusting your instincts and taking bold moves, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed, can open doors to unexpected opportunities. Most importantly, stay adaptable and never stop learning. The business world changes fast, and the ability to evolve with it is key to long-term success.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Great business opportunities lie not in established markets but in uncertainty and volatility. While most people tend to avoid risk, I see volatility as a space where innovation can thrive and new opportunities can emerge. It’s in these unpredictable environments—whether in emerging markets or disruptive technologies where bold moves can lead to outsized returns.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
One thing I repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do is invest time in building genuine relationships. No matter how skilled or knowledgeable you are, success in business is largely built on trust and collaboration. I make it a priority to cultivate strong, long-term relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues by being transparent, reliable, and adding value wherever I can.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Take a step back and focus on recalibrating priorities. I usually pause, clear my mind, and revisit my core goals to determine what truly requires my attention at that moment. Staying centered and realigning with my objectives helps me move forward productively.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has consistently helped me grow my business and advance in my career is leveraging cross-border opportunities, particularly between the U.S. and the International business community. Early on, I recognized the potential in bridging the gap by understanding cultures, regulatory environments, and market dynamics, I positioned myself as a connector for businesses and investors in many regions.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One early failure in my career occurred when we expanded into a new market too quickly without fully understanding the local regulatory environment.
To overcome this, I brought in local experts who had deep knowledge of the regulatory landscape and worked closely with them to adjust our strategy. I also made sure to strengthen our due diligence processes for future expansions, ensuring that we wouldn’t face similar setbacks.
While speed and ambition are important in business, so is the need for comprehensive groundwork. I also realized the value of having local expertise to navigate complex regulatory and cultural environments. This experience taught me that sustainable success often requires a balance of bold action and careful planning.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a fintech platform that bridges the gap between Western and emerging Asian markets, specifically focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). There’s a huge opportunity to provide financial tools, such as cross-border payment solutions, lending platforms, and currency hedging services, tailored to businesses that operate or trade between these regions.
SMEs often struggle to access affordable financial services when doing business internationally, especially in emerging markets where banking systems may be less developed. A platform that simplifies currency exchange, payment processing, and access to credit, while also offering insights into market trends and compliance, could fill a significant gap in the market.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that helps me stay productive is Slack. I use it to streamline communication with my teams across different time zones and locations. It allows for quick, efficient discussions without the formality of emails, and helps me stay on top of projects and deadlines in real-time.
We organize channels by project or department, ensuring that key conversations are centralized and easily accessible. The integration with other tools, like document sharing and project management platforms, also saves time, keeping everything in one place. Slack’s flexibility allows me to maintain constant communication and quickly resolve issues or make decisions, even when managing multiple projects across different markets.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
My favorite book is The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Its timeless lessons on strategy, leadership, and adaptability have been incredibly influential in both my personal and professional life. The principles of knowing your strengths, understanding your competition, and making calculated moves are applicable far beyond the battlefield—they resonate deeply in the world of business.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A movie I recently enjoyed is The Founder, which tells the story of Ray Kroc and the creation of McDonald’s. I found it fascinating not just because of its entrepreneurial themes, but also due to the lessons on ambition, innovation, and the complexities of business partnerships. The film highlights how Kroc’s vision and drive transformed a small restaurant into a global phenomenon, showcasing the importance of scalability and branding in business. It’s a reminder of how powerful ideas can reshape industries when paired with determination and strategic thinking.
Key learnings
- Embrace Volatility: Viewing uncertainty as a space for innovation can unlock significant business opportunities, particularly in emerging markets and disruptive technologies.
- The Power of Relationships: Building genuine, long-term relationships is crucial for success in business. Trust and collaboration lead to greater opportunities and a solid foundation for growth.
- Importance of Preparation: Thorough groundwork and understanding local markets and regulations are essential when evaluating new territories to ensure sustainable success.
- Adaptability is Key: Staying flexible and willing to pivot is crucial in navigating the complexities of the business world, particularly in fast-changing sectors like fintech.