Hi! Thanks for taking a minute or two to read my bio. I formed Equip Financial Partners after over a decade working in wealth management. I realized there is a common theme in the industry. Many advisors say they work with business owners, but what they really mean is that they're ready to swoop in during the last year or two before the owner is ready to sell so they can capture and manage the assets. I prefer to be along for the ride. Most advisors don't do this because there's "no money to manage." I've built my services to focus on the issues that are unique and important to business owners. I understand the business is "the investment." It's also going to have better returns than just about anything you'll find in the stock market. I help owners: • minimize taxes • create an exit strategy • know their "walk-away number" • focus on building transferable value • protect their business value • protect their family and their wealth However, there's a problem that is often faced that prevents owners from handling these matters--They don't understand their business's finances. They know what happened, but they can't look forward and predict what's coming up. Because of this, I've created Equip CFO which offers fractional CFO services. Between these two entities, we are able to handle just about any financial-related question or issue that arises for business owners. So, whether you're ready to sell, looking to grow, or just want to plan more efficiently, we're here to help. Thanks again for reading! I look forward to connecting.

J. Bailey Stitt is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Fairhope, Alabama. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and a member of the Harris, O’Neill, Stitt & Associates team. Bailey focuses on providing customized wealth strategies and integrated advice tailored to the individual financial goals and needs of her clients. Her approach involves a comprehensive understanding of clients’ priorities to develop clear, actionable roadmaps for achieving financial objectives. Her expertise encompasses family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Bailey leads a multi-disciplinary process that incorporates investment management, retirement planning, tax strategies, trust and estate services, cash-flow analysis, education savings, and charitable giving. She emphasizes proactive communication, consistent service quality, and transparency in her client relationships. Bailey holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation alongside her CFP certification. She serves as a board member for Impact 100 of Baldwin County and the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and is involved with Art for Heart. Outside of work, Bailey’s interests include boating, bowling, music, reading, skiing, table tennis, tennis, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Thomas Smith is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Fairhope, Alabama. He has over 35 years of experience working with retirement plans and has been with Merrill Lynch since 2004. Thomas specializes in retirement planning strategies for both individuals and businesses, focusing on areas such as divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, and institutional investment consulting. Thomas holds a Bachelor's Degree from Auburn University and has earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) certification through the Investments & Wealth Institute™ in conjunction with the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. He also holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC) designations. His approach involves working closely with clients to create personalized financial strategies designed to help them pursue their goals. Outside of his professional role, Thomas lives in Fairhope, Alabama with his wife Anne and their three sons: Walker, Evans, and Tipton. His personal interests include boating, fishing, gardening, golfing, hiking, music, pottery, rock climbing, soccer, and tennis.

Scott Hardie is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has focused his career on family wealth and liability management to support financial decision-making for family members. Scott has been with Merrill Lynch since 1996 after returning to New Orleans following his earlier banking career. Scott graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi and completed graduate studies at George Washington University. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, he spent 11 years in Corporate International Banking. His professional designations include Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). In addition to his professional work, Scott serves as a Board Member of the Metropolitan Crime Commission and the YMCA of Greater New Orleans. He is a native of New Orleans and a graduate of Isidore Newman School.

S Wesley Carpenter is the Senior Resident Director of the Fairhope, Alabama office of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He serves as a Wealth Management Advisor to a select group of professionals, business owners, and retirees. Wesley is the co-founder of THE HARTY CARPENTER GROUP, a wealth advisory team recognized in the Southeast. Over the last two decades, he has built a team that emphasizes upfront honest advice, in-depth customization, and committed service. Wesley has been recognized on several industry lists, including Barron's "Top 1,200 Financial Advisors" from 2021 through 2025 and Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list for six consecutive years through 2025. He was also named to Financial Planning's "Top 40 Advisors Under 40" list in 2020 and 2021. His expertise includes college education planning, corporate benefits, divorce transition planning, education planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. Wesley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration with a focus on Finance and a minor in Economics from The University of Alabama. He is active in the Eastern Shore community, serving as Chairman of the Board and Leadership Council member of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, and participating in organizations such as the Alabama Leadership Initiative, Leadership Baldwin County, Community Foundation of South Alabama, Business Council of Alabama, Coastal 150, and others. In his personal time, Wesley enjoys Alabama football, offshore fishing, golfing, and spending time with his wife and two sons.

Julia Ham is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' unique financial goals. She focuses on areas including college education planning, family wealth management, employee financial health, personal retirement planning, women and wealth, individual and corporate investment strategies, and retirement income. With over ten years of experience in financial services and a legal background, Julia emphasizes actively listening to her clients to understand their dreams and goals. She believes in creating flexible plans that adapt to life's changes, helping clients navigate opportunities and challenges through regular plan reviews and adjustments. Julia holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the Louisiana State University System. She has earned professional designations as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Julia relocated to Fairhope, Alabama, where she lives with her husband Rodney. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, painting, racquetball, tennis, traveling, writing, and collecting wine. She is also engaged in volunteering with community organizations.

Travis Hughes is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in developing personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients’ unique financial goals, leveraging investment insights from Merrill and the banking and lending resources of Bank of America. Travis holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Alabama System. He is committed to working closely with clients one-on-one to create flexible financial strategies that reflect their long-term objectives. In addition to his professional work, Travis participates in community activities through volunteering, following Merrill’s tradition of engagement in the communities it serves.