Barking Sands Capital
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
About
Barking Sands Capital provides personalized, fee-based investment management and financial planning to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm reports managing approximately $45 million in primarily discretionary assets for about 85 clients and offers full financial plans, hourly planning engagements, and ongoing advisory service agreements.
The firm’s investment approach centers on a core-equity strategy of roughly 30–35 holdings using individual equities and ETFs, with a Moderate Growth option that emphasizes dividend-paying equities, bonds, and ETFs; it also offers UMAs and SMAs and uses third‑party managers when appropriate. Investment policy statements are documented for each client, the firm operates with discretionary trading authority under a limited power of attorney, and accounts are reviewed quarterly or more frequently as market or client circumstances dictate.
Distinctive features noted in the brochure include material arrangements with a related insurance agency and advisors who are insurance‑licensed and may recommend or sell annuities and other commissioned insurance products (described as a nominal portion of advisory time), which represents an area of potential conflict not common among peers. The brochure also discloses a prior disciplinary matter—non‑disclosure of an outside business activity—resolved in December 2005 with a monetary sanction and a conditional suspension; the firm reports this as its only disciplinary incidence.
Client services
Expertise
Fee options
$100,000 - $250,000: 1.50% $250,001 - $500,000: 1.25% $500,001 - $1,000,000: 1.00% $1,000,001 - $3,000,000: 0.75% $3,000,001+: 0.50%
$250 per hour for limited scope engagements and follow-up implementation work
Account minimum: $100,000 Minimum fee: Minimum annual fee of $1,500 for Advisory Service Agreement; minimum fee for financial plan is $750 Fee-only: Financial planning fees range from $750 to $5,000 (negotiable); hourly planning rate is $250/hour
Main office
101 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 1400
Troy MI 48084
Advisors at this office
2
Most active in
Michigan · Minnesota
Also doing business as
Barking Sands Capital · The L 'Esperance Group, LLC
Disclosures
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
Is active or affiliated with:
Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
Is not active or affiliated with:
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Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
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Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
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Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
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Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
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Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
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Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
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Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
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Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Forms ADV
Advisors at this firm
Kelly L
Series 63, Series 66
Troy, MI
Barking Sands Capital
Kelly L'esperance is a financial advisor at Barking Sands Capital with 21 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has led The L'esperance Group, LLC since 2011. L'esperance is also licensed as an insurance agent in Michigan and Minnesota, dedicating part of her time to this activity. Barking Sands Capital provides personalized, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm manages primarily discretionary assets using a core-equity strategy supplemented by dividend-paying equities, bonds, ETFs, and third-party managers when appropriate.
James L
ChFC®, Series 63
Troy, MI
Barking Sands Capital
James L'esperance is a financial advisor at Barking Sands Capital in Troy, MI, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license, with 19 years of industry experience. He has operated The L'esperance Group, LLC since 2004. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in a licensed insurance agency selling and servicing fixed insurance products such as life insurance and annuities. Barking Sands Capital provides personalized, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a core-equity strategy combined with diversified options and uses third-party managers when appropriate, managing approximately $45 million in primarily discretionary assets for about 85 clients.
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