Welcome

Welcome to our practice, where you'll find the close-knit warmth of a boutique-like office backed by the expansive resources of a premier global investment firm. We proudly serve a diverse clientele—from retirees seeking income stability, to business owners planning for major liquidity events, and families preserving multigenerational legacies.

What Makes Us Different?

  1. Holistic Approach: We take into account everything from lifestyle goals to specialized interests—like aviation and comprehensive exit planning.
  2. Strategic Relationships: We work with select top-tier tax, estate, and M&A specialists, as well as the Exit Planning Institute, to help ensure every facet of your financial journey is addressed.
  3. Time as a Commodity: Our strategies aim to help reduce your financial complexities so you can focus on what you value most.

Ready to explore a simpler path to your financial goals? Contact us for a conversation that could transform your next chapter.

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Services Include
Securities Agent: MI, NV, TX, OR, MD, KY, IA, CO, OH, VA, NC, IL, WA, PA, CA, UT, HI, AZ, IN, NM, FL, GA, NY, WI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
CA Insurance License #: 0F98705
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Your Legacy, Our Commitment

We believe wealth management should be more than piecemeal financial advice—it's about cultivating a life of meaning and security at every stage. Our clients often share these common aims:

  • Protecting Their Lifestyle- Whether you're in retirement, running a thriving business, or raising a family, financial stability is crucial.
  • Stewarding Family Values- A seamless transfer of wealth or business shares involves more than just numbers—it requires alignment with personal beliefs and legacy goals.
  • Balancing Growth & Security- We blend proactive strategies for investment growth with robust risk management.
  • Mindful Giving & Impact- Many of our clients want to make a difference through philanthropy or multigenerational wealth transfers.

Conversations That Matter

From straightforward financial questions to more complex, life-changing decisions, here are a few topics we commonly address:

  • "Are my expenditures jeopardizing my long-term security?"
  • "How do I efficiently track and manage all my investments?
  • "What's the best way to support my children without undermining their motivation?"
  • "How can I manage my tax burden and potentially preserve more of what I've built?"
  • "With newfound liquidity, what's the right strategy for my next chapter?"

Whether you're concerned about day-to-day finances or major pivot points—like transitioning out of a business or planning your legacy—these conversations shape the strategies we design together.

Our Approach: The 'Three M's' of Wealth

  1. Matters of the Heart- We listen closely to understand what drives your decisions—your family, passions, and biggest dreams.
  2. Manageable Strategies- By focusing on what we can control (like tax management, estate structuring, and more), we help reduce uncertainty.
  3. Milestones and Movements- Life transitions—retirement, succession, liquidity events—can feel daunting. Our step-by-step framework prepares you for these moments with clarity and foresight.

Ready to explore how these principles apply to your life?

Let's talk about building a plan that not only helps to stabilize your finances but also aligns with the values and aspirations that matter most to you.

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Navigating Your Next Chapter

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Navigating Your Next Chapter

If you're contemplating a sale or transition of a business you've built from the ground up, you know it's more than a financial move—it's deeply personal. Our role is to guide you through this journey by integrating resources from the Exit Planning Institute (EPI) into a comprehensive strategy.

  1. Pre-Transition- We help you evaluate deal structures, perform business valuations with strategic partners, and align estate plans well before the final handshake.
  2. During Transition- From negotiation to diligence, we collaborate with specialized tax and M&A partners, ensuring your interests and legacy remain top of mind.
  3. Post-Transition- We address what comes next—wealth diversification, philanthropic goals, or simply the level of confidence that lets you relish newfound freedom.

Top Priorities for a Smooth Exit

  • Liquidity & Risk Management- We stress-test your liquidity, ensuring unforeseen events don't erode your gains.
  • Family & Legacy Dynamics- Careful communication and planning keep relationships intact, supporting everyone impacted by the sale.
  • Long-Term Vision- Even after the sale, we stay at your side, helping you navigate opportunities that emerge from liquidity and new time resources.

Common Questions & Psychological Impacts

Exiting a business can be both exhilarating and emotionally complex. You may find yourself asking:

  • "How do I ensure my spouse or family is cared for if I'm no longer actively involved?"
  • "What will my role and sense of purpose be once I step away?"
  • "How do I prepare for the emotional roller coaster that comes with letting go?"

These concerns can spark stress, uncertainty, or even a sense of guilt over relinquishing control. We address these psychological dimensions as carefully as the financial ones. By leveraging a trusted network—alongside EPI's structured methodologies—we provide not just technical insight, but also the empathy and guidance to help you transition with clarity, and confidence.

Ready to start the conversation?

We're here to help you navigate the sale of your business from every angle—financial, emotional, and beyond—so you can step into your next chapter feeling well-prepared and supported. Reach out to learn more.

Read more in this document- The Anatomy of a Deal- Three questions to ask when preparing to sell your business

Aviation: Where Passion Meets Practicality

We've expanded our wealth management services to support clients whose aspirations soar beyond standard portfolios, especially those drawn to aviation. As a pilot, I understand the unique challenges of aircraft ownership, tax planning, risk, and liability. I work closely with our strategic resources so you can make informed choices that fit your life in the skies.

Located near the bustling Gerald R. Ford International Airport, we're part of an ever-growing aviation community. Whether you're an individual seeking private travel solutions or a business managing operational complexities, we help you craft strategies that serve your goals, on the ground and at altitude.

How My Aviation Journey Began

My fascination with flight began when I first used my father's E6-B flight computer. As a teenager, I washed airplanes at Harbor Springs and Pellston airports (through my start-up called Hangar 1) to earn flight hours and immerse myself in the aviation community. The moment I took my first solo flight at the Gaylord Airport, the rush of confidence and freedom confirmed my path.

Studying aviation at Western Michigan University and earning my instrument license further shaped my perspective. Over time, I realized the precision and adaptability crucial to flying also benefit clients navigating complex financial decisions. That's why I've integrated aviation insights into my wealth advisory process—helping those who share my passion for the skies make smart, strategic moves.

Our Aviation-Focused Approach

  • Custom Financial Strategies- We tailor your wealth plan around the realities of aviation, leveraging legal, tax, acquisition, and insurance expertise from trusted partners.
  • Risk & Regulatory Awareness- Together, we structure assets, discuss regulations, and manage liabilities so you stay cleared for takeoff.
  • Goal Alignment- Whether you're planning to acquire an aircraft, optimize costs through fractional ownership, charter, or prepare for a future aviation exit, we guide you to the right resources and solutions.
Explore our article, Above the Fray: Strategic Approaches to Private Aviation, or reach out today to discuss how we can align your financial plan with your passion for flight.

Insights for Informed Decisions

Whether you’re preparing for retirement, a business sale, considering private aviation, or fine-tuning multigenerational wealth strategies, our Knowledge Base is here to spark new ideas and deeper conversations.

Looking for More? We welcome the opportunity to connect one-on-one and discuss how these insights can be tailored to your personal situation.

The journey to financial fulfillment is personal, whether you’re approaching retirement, leading a dynamic enterprise, or sharing your passion for aviation with the next generation. We’re here to empower you at every turn—helping you preserve your wealth, realize your dreams, and reclaim the gift of time.

Location

5122 Cascade Road SE 1st
Fl
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
US
Direct:
(616) 771-6044(616) 771-6044
Toll-Free:
(800) 945-8575(800) 945-8575
Fax:
(616) 828-1865(616) 828-1865

Meet My Team

Photo of Sara Smith

Sara Smith

Portfolio Associate, Financial Planning Associate
Phone:
(616) 771-6090(616) 771-6090
Photo of Geilyn Chapman

Geilyn Chapman

Client Service Associate
Phone:
(616) 242-5446(616) 242-5446

About Sara Smith

Sara Smith spearheads the team's administrative and operational functions in her role as a Registered Associate, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to her position.

With a long-standing tenure at Morgan Stanley and its predecessors, Sara has been an integral part of the organization since 1999. Before joining the firm, she dedicated seven years to a local brokerage firm based in Grand Rapids, honing her skills and gaining valuable industry knowledge.

Sara holds an impressive array of credentials, including Series 7, 63, and 66 licenses. Additionally, she has earned the Financial Planning Associate designation, showcasing her commitment to professional development and excellence in her field.

Through her vast experience and dedication, Sara ensures smooth operations and seamless administrative support for the team, contributing significantly to the overall success and efficiency of the practice. Her extensive background in the financial services industry makes her a valuable asset, capable of providing exceptional service to both the team and its clients.

About Geilyn Chapman

Since 2010, Geilyn (pronounced Hay-leen) has been working in the financial services industry.

Over the years, she has engaged with numerous non-profit organizations. In 2010, she organized an international art project, with all proceeds benefiting Costa Rican elementary students in need. The artwork was transported to the United States, showcased in a Grand Rapids fine art gallery, and featured at a local coffee shop.

During her free time, Geilyn enjoys being with family and friends, reading, engaging in arts and crafts, and actively participating in the international community.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Read More about On the Markets
Read "On the Markets"

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
Learn More about Retirement
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
Learn More about Investing
2025 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration
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2025 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration

Global growth is likely to slow in 2025 and 2026 as the shock of higher U.S. tariffs crimps demand around the world.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Learn More about Family
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Learn More about Business Planning
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Learn More about Philanthropy
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
Learn More about Financial Wellness
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Gregory M Chapman today.
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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5Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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7Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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8Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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9Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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10Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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11Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

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The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)