Comprehensive Planning
Coordinate legal, tax, insurance, retirement, and investment considerations into one cohesive plan designed to support beneficiaries, preserve wealth, and reflect your long-term values.
Complex wealth transfer decisions can create family tension, tax exposure, and uncertainty when several beneficiaries are involved. Barking Sands Capital helps align estate planning with retirement, investment, insurance, and tax strategies, coordinating with legal professionals as needed. Our fee-based approach focuses on clarity, fairness, and long-term financial continuity for the people and causes you care about most.

Integrated planning services for beneficiary coordination, asset transfer strategy, tax awareness, and long-term wealth continuity.
Coordinate legal, tax, insurance, retirement, and investment considerations into one cohesive plan designed to support beneficiaries, preserve wealth, and reflect your long-term values.
Evaluate tax exposure across retirement accounts, investments, and transfer strategies to help beneficiaries receive assets efficiently while supporting your broader financial goals.
Align portfolios with legacy goals, liquidity needs, risk tolerance, and beneficiary timelines through disciplined asset management and diversification strategies.
Integrate retirement income, account distributions, Roth conversion opportunities, and beneficiary designations so your estate plan supports lifetime and legacy needs.
Use life insurance, health coverage, and protection planning to help address liquidity gaps, family risk, and beneficiary support needs.
Plan for education funding goals when children, grandchildren, or other beneficiaries are part of your long-term wealth transfer priorities.

We begin by understanding your family structure, beneficiary relationships, assets, retirement accounts, business interests, insurance coverage, and charitable intentions. This creates a clear foundation for identifying planning gaps, competing priorities, and opportunities to improve coordination across your financial life.
Work with a transparent advisory team experienced in complex, coordinated financial planning.
Fee-based guidance focused on client goals, not pushing financial products or commissions.
InteProcess™ coordinates legal, insurance, tax, retirement, and financial planning in one event.
CFP® and ChFC expertise supports complex beneficiary, retirement, and tax-aware planning decisions.
Established in 2004, Barking Sands Capital maintains lasting relationships across Midwest families and business owners.
Meet the advisory team behind the planning process.

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.
Estate planning attorney costs vary based on complexity, documents needed, state laws, and whether trusts, business interests, or multiple beneficiary structures are involved. Simple plans may be priced as flat-fee packages, while complex plans often require hourly or project-based legal work. Barking Sands Capital is not a law firm, but we coordinate with legal professionals to align your estate plan with your financial, tax, retirement, and insurance strategies.
Get clear answers about coordinating your estate and financial plan.
Recognized expertise in comprehensive financial planning.
Advanced training in financial and estate strategies.
Transparent fiduciary-style, fee-based advisory structure.
Share your goals, family structure, and planning concerns. Our team will help you identify next steps for a coordinated estate planning strategy.
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.