Sustainable Wealth Management — Financial Planning

Barking Sands Capital helps clients connect their values, goals, and financial decisions through comprehensive, fee-based planning. From retirement and tax coordination to investment management, insurance, Medicare, and legacy considerations, our team builds integrated strategies designed to support long-term confidence, transparency, and thoughtful wealth stewardship across every stage of life.

Financial advisor discussing sustainable wealth planning

Our Sustainable Wealth Management — Financial Planning Services

Comprehensive planning and wealth management services built around your values, risk tolerance, and long-term goals.

Financial Planning

Integrated planning that coordinates legal, insurance, tax, retirement, and financial decisions through one seamless process for individuals, employer plans, and institutional investors.

Asset Management

Active portfolio strategies, asset allocation review, separately managed accounts, diversification guidance, and risk-aware investment oversight tailored to your goals and time horizon.

Retirement Planning

Retirement analysis covering 401(k) rollovers, distribution strategies, Roth IRA conversions, and cash-balance planning for business owners preparing for future income needs.

Tax Optimization

Strategic tax coordination, AMT planning, business-owner strategies, and tax-aware retirement decisions designed to improve after-tax outcomes over time.

Insurance Planning

Protection planning that evaluates insurance needs, life and health coverage, and long-term risk management as part of your broader financial strategy.

Medicare Planning

Guidance for Medicare decisions, long-term care planning, IRMAA strategies, and healthcare cost considerations that can affect retirement income and assets.

Advisor reviewing financial plan with clients

Our Integrated Financial Planning Process

Clarify Your Values And Goals

We begin by learning about your goals, family priorities, business interests, retirement expectations, and concerns. This discovery conversation helps clarify what financial success means to you and where coordinated planning can create the greatest value.

Review Your Complete Financial Picture

Build An Integrated Planning Strategy

Implement With Professional Coordination

Monitor, Adjust, And Stay Aligned

The Barking Sands Difference

Why Choose Barking Sands Capital?

Barking Sands Capital is a solution-based firm that pairs sustainable wealth management with transparency, coordination, and personal attention for complex financial decisions.

Independent Advice

Fee-based guidance designed around client goals, not product-driven recommendations or managed-account commissions.

Integrated Process

InteProcess™ coordinates legal, insurance, tax, retirement, and financial planning into one practical strategy.

Credentialed Team

CFP® and ChFC expertise supports advanced planning decisions for families, retirees, and business owners.

Midwest Roots

Longstanding Michigan and Minnesota roots bring relationship-focused service to clients across the Midwest.

Meet The Planning Team

Experienced advisors committed to values-led financial guidance.

Portrait of JB L'Esperance, Principal and ChFC at Barking Sands Capital

JB L'Esperance

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.

Portrait of Kelly L'Esperance, Principal at Barking Sands Capital

Kelly L'Esperance

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.

Portrait of Curtis Hewitt, Advisor at Barking Sands Capital

Curtis Hewitt

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.

Portrait of Tara Handy, Client Relationship Manager at Barking Sands Capital

Tara Handy

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.

Portrait of Andrea Cervena, CFP® at Barking Sands Capital

Andrea Cervena

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sustainable Wealth Management — Financial Planning at Barking Sands Capital?

Sustainable Wealth Management — Financial Planning means aligning financial decisions with long-term goals, values, risk tolerance, and life priorities. At Barking Sands Capital, this includes coordinated planning across investments, retirement income, taxes, insurance, Medicare, education funding, and asset protection so clients can pursue growth while managing risk throughout each stage of life.

Who is Barking Sands Capital's financial planning service designed for?

What makes Barking Sands Capital's planning process different from other financial advisors?

Why should I choose an independent, fee-based financial advisor over a commission-based one?

What retirement planning services does Barking Sands Capital offer?

What credentials and certifications do Barking Sands Capital's advisors hold?

Does Barking Sands Capital provide guidance on Medicare and long-term care planning?

What should I expect during the initial consultation with Barking Sands Capital?

Still Have Financial Planning Questions?

Connect with our team for thoughtful, personalized guidance.

Certified & Transparent

Awards and Recognition

Certified Financial Planner certification logo

CFP® Certification

Recognized advanced financial planning credential.

Chartered Financial Consultant certification logo

ChFC Designation

Advanced credential in comprehensive financial consulting.

Independent registered investment advisor trust mark

Independent RIA

Transparent fee-based advisory structure for clients.

Start Planning With Greater Clarity

Share your goals, questions, and current planning concerns. Our team will follow up to discuss next steps and help determine whether our integrated planning approach is the right fit.

Contact Us Today

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.