Welcome

Welcome to our practice. We offer the close-knit feel of a boutique firm, backed by the strength and depth of a global financial institution. Whether you're a founder preparing for a liquidity event or a family stewarding significant wealth—we're here to help you navigate big decisions with clarity and confidence.

This is a second-generation advisory practice. I purchased it from my father after years of working alongside him, and today, I work with my wife and plan to bring my son into the business. For me, this isn't just about managing wealth—it's about legacy, leadership, and doing right by the people who trust us.

What Makes Us Different?

  1. Real Strategy, Real Experiance: We don't follow a templated process. Our work is grounded in what we've actually helped clients solve—before, during, and after high-stakes transitions.
  2. Relationships That Go Beyond Referrals: We work directly with investment bankers, attorneys, tax professionals, and aviation experts to help simplify complex decisions and lead coordinated strategies from day one.
  3. Time is the Most Valuable Asset: Our planning is designed to reduce friction, eliminate noise, and free up your most valuable resource—time.

If you're looking for thoughtful planning, real-world perspective, and a more strategic way forward-it's time for an updgrade—let's talk.

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

When Everything Works Together, It Works Better.

When your wealth spans businesses, real estate, investments, and family priorities—it's not just about what you own, it's about how everything works together. That's where I come in.

I help clients make sense of their full financial picture, coordinating across assets, advisors, and generations. That includes integrating public and private investments, designing tax-aware strategies, and managing liquidity so your wealth can support the life, legacy, and purpose you've worked hard to build.

I don't just look at a portfolio. I look at the structure, the timing, and the "what ifs."

Because real life doesn't follow a neat quarterly report—and your wealth strategy shouldn't either.

Topics We Commonly Address:

  • How do we simplify the chaos of multiple advisors and accounts?
  • What's the smartest way to coordinate real estate, trusts, and cash flow?
  • How do I reduce tax drag and increase flexibility without overengineering everything?
  • Is my portfolio really aligned with what I need my money to do?

This isn't financial advice in pieces—it's full-spectrum strategy. When everything works together, it works better.

The Deal is Just the Beginning

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Selling a business is never just a financial transaction—it's personal, emotional, and often overwhelming.

Whether you're exploring an offer, actively negotiating, or managing what comes next, I help founders navigate this transition with strategy, clarity, and confidence.

I've sat in the room leading banker bake-offs, worked side-by-side with tax, QofE, and legal teams, and translated the deal process into language founders and their families can understand.

This isn't about reacting to a Letter of Intent 'LOI.' It's about leading early—before the structure is set, the taxes are locked in, or the clock runs out.

From liquidity modeling and trust design to post-sale planning and big-picture purpose, I help ensure the outcome serves more than your bank account—it serves your life.

Topics We Commonly Address:

  • How do I evaluate offers and avoid leaving money on the table?
  • What do I need to understand before this deal goes too far?
  • How do I prepare my family for the emotional and financial shift?
  • What comes after the wire hits—what's the plan, and what's the point?

Whether you're preparing to sell now or thinking three years out, the earlier we start, the better positioned you'll be—personally, financially, and emotionally.

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

Where Passion Meets Strategy

Homes abroad. High-value collections. Private aviation. Custom yachts. These aren't just purchases—they're strategic decisions with financial, legal, and tax implications.

I help clients evaluate, structure, and integrate lifestyle assets into the broader wealth plan—so their passion and priorities are aligned, not in conflict.

As a licensed pilot, aviation business founder, and aviation community member, I've worked with clients on everything from fractional shares and jet cards to international routing, liability protection, and exit planning. I also bring experience in yacht acquisition, art and watch collection strategy, and managing real estate and insurance across borders.

The common thread? These are high-conviction choices with long-term consequences—and I make sure they're made with clarity, not just enthusiasm.

Topics We Commonly Address:

  • Who helps make sure all this fits together—not just in the air, but on paper?
  • How do I structure large lifestyle purchases to protect my family and avoid tax surprises?
  • What does it really cost to operate an aircraft, and how does that fit into my overall strategy?
  • Should I own, charter, or consider a jet card—and what are the risks I'm not seeing?

When the stakes are high and the details matter, I bring real-world lifestyle experience to the table—so your passions stay in sync with your financial life.

Because Big Decisions Deserve Better Thinking

Big decisions deserve more than bullet points and product menus.

This page is a curated collection of insights we share with clients navigating liquidity events, lifestyle transitions, private markets, and family planning.

If something sparks a question or a next step, reach out. That’s exactly what it’s here for.

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

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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Gregory M Chapman today.
1Morgan 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.

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

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2Morgan 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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3Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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4When 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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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.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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)