Medicare Planning
Personalized Medicare planning helps you compare coverage options, understand enrollment timelines, estimate costs, and make informed healthcare decisions as you transition into retirement.
Plan for retirement with coverage designed around your income needs, healthcare expectations, tax picture, and family priorities. Barking Sands Capital helps you compare retirement insurance plans, Medicare choices, long-term care strategies, and protection options through an independent, fee-based process focused on clarity, coordination, and confidence at every stage of retirement.

Coordinated retirement, Medicare, insurance, rollover, and tax-aware planning for confident coverage decisions.
Personalized Medicare planning helps you compare coverage options, understand enrollment timelines, estimate costs, and make informed healthcare decisions as you transition into retirement.
Comprehensive retirement planning coordinates income, investments, rollovers, Roth conversions, asset distribution, and insurance considerations into one strategy built around your long-term financial goals.
Long-term care and IRMAA strategies help protect retirement assets, plan for future care needs, and reduce the impact of Medicare-related income surcharges where possible.
Protection and insurance planning evaluates life, health, and risk-management needs so your retirement strategy can better support your family, income, and legacy priorities.
401(k) rollover guidance helps transfer retirement savings into a coordinated investment and income strategy while reviewing fees, tax implications, and distribution flexibility.
Roth IRA conversion strategies are designed to manage tax liability, create future tax-free income potential, and strengthen long-term retirement wealth planning.

We begin with your income sources, healthcare needs, existing policies, family priorities, tax concerns, and retirement timeline. This helps us understand where coverage already supports your goals and where gaps, overlaps, or future risks may exist.
Barking Sands Capital is a solution-based firm that pairs comprehensive planning and independent guidance with credentialed experience for retirement insurance coverage decisions.
Fee-based RIA guidance prioritizes transparency and recommendations aligned with client objectives.
InteProcess™ coordinates legal, insurance, tax, retirement, and investment planning disciplines.
CFP®, ChFC, securities, and insurance credentials support informed coverage recommendations.
Personal advisor attention paired with sophisticated portfolio and retirement analysis capabilities.
Experienced advisors coordinating retirement, insurance, and planning strategies.

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 insurance plan is a coordinated strategy that uses insurance-based coverage to protect income, healthcare access, assets, and family goals during retirement. It may include Medicare planning, long-term care coverage, life insurance, annuities, and protection planning. The right plan should align with your retirement income sources, tax position, risk tolerance, and anticipated medical or caregiving needs.
Get clear answers from a retirement planning professional.
Advanced designation for comprehensive financial planning expertise.
Recognized credential for fiduciary financial planning standards.
Licensed guidance for insurance and healthcare coverage.
Share your goals, current coverage, and retirement timeline. Our advisory team will review your needs and explain the next steps clearly.
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.