20 Questions with Michelle M. Delker

Founder & CEO of The William Stanley CFO Group

Michelle M. Delker is the founder and chief executive officer of The William Stanley CFO Group, a firm specializing in fractional chief financial officer services for small to mid-sized businesses. With over 20 years of progressive finance experience, Delker brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her clients.

Under her leadership, The William Stanley CFO Group has helped numerous organizations optimize their financial operations, secure favorable financing and implement strategic financial initiatives. The firm is known for delivering exceptional returns on investment, with clients realizing approximately $1.5 million in returns per $100,000 invested. 

Delker serves as Treasurer for Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County. 

  1. College alma mater? Simpson College (Indianola, Iowa); University of Tampa.

2. Favorite TV show of all time? Ted Lasso. Between the mustache and unyielding optimism, it’s hard to beat.

3. Preferred place for a business meeting? Our office, on South Howard. It’s calm, clean and stocked with snacks.

4. Social media time suck of choice?  Instagram. Cooking tutorials.

5. What time do you wake up on workdays? 6:00 a.m. It gives me a full hour of “focus time” before our daughters get up.

6. What’s a life hack you swear by? Online grocery shopping. Our food expenses went down by 40% when we transitioned from in-person to online.

7. A movie that terrified you as a child? Jaws. With a long-lasting impact. To this day, I open my eyes underwater in a pool just to make sure there isn’t a Great White shark swimming with me. 

8. Favorite local restaurant? The Royal Tea Room. The best tea and scones this side of the pond. She’s no longer open for business, but still sells specialty blends of tea. Long Live Miss Denise!!

9. Last book you read? “Slow Productivity” by Cal Newport. A back to the basics reminder to clear away the noise and focus on the big things.

10. Biggest business failure? Trying to fit a circle into a square, when fundamentally, the situation just didn’t work. That experience helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. Leading me to where I am today. And now, I’m so grateful for stubborn circles.

11. Best concert you’ve ever seen, live? Maroon 5. That Adam Levine and his dancing.

12. Something you cook really well? Fettuccini Alfredo. From scratch. Nonna would be so proud.

13. Most famous person you’ve ever met? James Marsden. Before he was famous. When he was filming “Second Noah,” in Tampa.

14. Coca-Cola or Pepsi? Fountain Cherry Coke from Wright’s Gourmet House. There’s nothing better.

15. How do you manage the volume of emails you receive? Batch processing. Prayer. And, lots of folders.

16. Last thing you ordered from Amazon? Wet Ones. I should own stock. They’ve gotten me out of many sticky situations.

17. Most used emoji? “Face with tears of joy.” I laugh, a lot.

18. Charity you support? Habitat for Humanity. It’s an honor and privilege to serve as East & Central Pasco County’s Treasurer.

19. What is something silly you got in trouble for as a child? Staying up past my bedtime to read. “Babysitter’s Club” and Stephen King.

20. Best advice ever received? “It’s only crazy until you do it.” So, I did it.

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