Retirement Planning
Build a retirement roadmap covering income, withdrawals, risk management, employer plans, and long-term goals, with strategies designed around your lifestyle and financial priorities.
Plan retirement with advisors who integrate investments, taxes, insurance, Medicare, and income strategies around your real goals. Barking Sands Capital brings independent, fee-based guidance to clients across Michigan, Minnesota, and the Midwest, helping you clarify when to retire, how to draw income, and how to protect the lifestyle you have worked to build.
Integrated retirement advice covering income, investments, taxes, healthcare, rollovers, and long-term protection strategies.
Build a retirement roadmap covering income, withdrawals, risk management, employer plans, and long-term goals, with strategies designed around your lifestyle and financial priorities.
Evaluate and transfer retirement savings from a former employer plan into a tailored investment strategy that supports flexibility, consolidation, and long-term retirement income planning.
Assess whether converting traditional retirement assets to Roth accounts may reduce future tax exposure, support tax-free growth, and improve long-term wealth transfer flexibility.
Navigate Medicare enrollment timelines, plan options, expected healthcare costs, and coverage decisions so retirement medical planning fits your broader financial strategy.
Plan for future care needs, evaluate asset protection strategies, and address IRMAA considerations that may affect Medicare premiums and retirement cash flow.
Coordinate retirement decisions with tax planning, including AMT considerations, business owner strategies, and income distribution planning for greater after-tax efficiency.
Your advisor starts by learning your values, lifestyle goals, family priorities, current accounts, employer benefits, and retirement timeline. For Midwest clients balancing multiple seasons of life, this step creates the personal context needed before recommendations are made.
Barking Sands Capital is a solution-based firm that pairs retirement planning expertise with clarity, coordination, and confidence to guide your financial decisions.
Fee-based RIA guidance focused on client objectives, not pushing unsuitable financial products.
InteProcess™ coordinates legal, insurance, tax, retirement, and financial planning into one seamless strategy.
Advisors understand Midwest families, business owners, and retirement needs across Michigan and Minnesota.
Longstanding client relationships reflect personal attention from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Minnesota communities.
Meet the advisors guiding your retirement decisions.
Principal, ChFC
JB L'Esperance is a co-founder and Principal of Barking Sands Capital (The L'Esperance Group, LLC), holding the prestigious Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation. With a career that began right out of college in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, JB has built deep expertise in investment management, retirement analysis, estate planning, and small business planning. Licensed in life and health insurance in both Michigan and Minnesota, he has maintained lasting relationships with many of his earliest clients — a testament to his commitment to delivering excellent service and real value. The oldest of six siblings, JB developed strong teamwork and family values early, qualities that define his client-first advisory approach. He and his wife Kelly reside in Independence, Minnesota, where they continue growing their Midwest financial planning practice.
Principal
Kelly C. L'Esperance is a co-founder and Principal of Barking Sands Capital (The L'Esperance Group, LLC), bringing a strong background in investment services, fixed income investing, retirement and education planning, and investment portfolio management. With five years of experience at one of the nation's largest commercial banks, Kelly joined her husband and business partner JB to build an independent, fee-based advisory firm grounded in putting clients' needs above all else. Growing up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where her family ran small resort businesses, Kelly developed an entrepreneurial spirit and deep appreciation for personalized service. Kelly resides in Independence, Minnesota, with JB and their two children.
Advisor
Curtis Hewitt is an Advisor with Barking Sands Capital, specializing in Medicare Planning and Long Term Care. Based in Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Curtis brings a dynamic entrepreneurial career to his advisory role, having successfully started, managed, and sold multiple businesses throughout his professional life. He is also co-founder of MSIS Agency. Curtis holds a degree in Architectural Design from Lansing Community College and a Business Management degree from Colorado Technical University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He holds Life and Health insurance licenses along with Series 6 and Series 63 registrations. A dedicated community servant, Curtis has served as president of a local Women's Shelter, school board member, and co-founder of a youth mountain biking program. He resides in Marquette with his wife and four children.
Client Relationship Manager
Tara Handy is the Client Relationship Manager at Barking Sands Capital, bringing more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. She specializes in client service, account management, and operational support, ensuring that both advisors and clients receive responsive, accurate, and professional assistance. Tara holds Series 7 and Series 63 securities registrations, Life and Health Insurance licenses, and is a commissioned Notary Public. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University. Known for building strong, lasting relationships, Tara is dedicated to making every client interaction seamless and reliable. She resides in western North Carolina with her husband and three children, and values hard work, strong relationships, and serving others in every aspect of her life.
CFP®
Andrea Cervena is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with Barking Sands Capital, bringing over 20 years of financial industry experience spanning three continents and multiple sectors including banking, real estate, hospitality, and sports. She holds a BA in International Business and Business Administration from Minot State University and an MA in International Relations from the International University of Japan. Since 2020, Andrea has focused exclusively on personal finance, earning her CFP® designation and assisting clients with Tax Planning, Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Education Funding, and Budgeting. Her service-oriented approach and global perspective allow her to craft creative, tailored financial solutions. Outside of work, Andrea is an active volleyball official, cycling community ambassador, and Masters Ski Racing board member.
A retirement-focused financial advisor with comprehensive planning credentials, such as a CFP® or ChFC, is often best because retirement decisions involve more than investments. Look for someone who can coordinate income planning, tax strategy, insurance, Medicare, estate considerations, and risk management. Barking Sands Capital uses a fee-based, integrated approach designed to align retirement recommendations with each client’s values and objectives.
Talk with our team about your retirement planning questions.
Recognized standard for comprehensive financial planning.
Advanced credential for broad financial consulting expertise.
Independent, transparent advisory structure for clients.
Share your retirement goals, questions, and current financial picture. A Barking Sands Capital advisor will help identify the next best planning step.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at 952-500-8854. You can also send us a quick email at jb@barkingsandscapital.com.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at 952-500-8854. You can also send us a quick email at jb@barkingsandscapital.com.