Melissa Joy, CFP®

Financial Planning For Real Life.

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Pearl Planning Melissa Joy, CFP® She/Her
Dexter, MI

Serving Clients Nationwide

Financial Planning For Real Life.

5 Certified Advisor Reviews™
5 out of 5 Stars
Jump to Reviews

Areas of Focus

  • Choosing a Financial Advisor
  • High Net Worth
  • Inherited Wealth
  • Retirement Planning
  • Tax-Smart Accumulation Planning

About Melissa Joy, CFP®

Hi, I'm Melissa Joy. Before founding Pearl, I worked in the world of financial planning and investments for more than twenty years. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, I specialize in working with GenX and older millennial double-income breadwinners, breadwinners, and inheritors. We help people living in the messy money middle to increase their confidence in financial decisions, reduce and plan for taxes, and delegate the complexity of financial professionals to an experienced team.

Even though Pearl is based in Dexter, our clients live coast-to-coast and we use all the tools of technology plus plain-old human connection to build relationships across the miles.

Founded in 2018, Pearl Planning fulfilled my dreams to start my own company someday. Just as a pearl symbolizes wisdom gained through experience, I used my background running the investment and financial planning departments along with complex client practice experience to create a client-focused, personalized and modern wealth management firm.

Dexter, Michigan is home for me, my husband, Jeff, and our kids, Gus and Jo. In addition to spending time with family, I have a lifetime love of playing soccer, reading, and travel. I also have a passion for supporting and promoting women in financial advice careers.

Professional Designations

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®

Affiliations

  • Financial Planning Association
  • The AGC

Primary Location

8031 Main St. Suite 302 Dexter, MI 48130

Video

Meeting Options

  • Video Conference
  • In-Person
  • Phone

Compensation Methods

  • Percentage of Assets Managed

What to expect in the first meeting

Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule a free "Get to Know You" call. Tell us what prompted you to reach out and what you want to work on. We’ll explain our services, your costs, and answer your questions about us.

Offers Investment Management

Yes

About Pearl Planning

Pearl Planning is a wealth management and financial planning practice. We encourage clients to approach their financial decisions with confidence and pride ourselves in offering wealth management for the real world. Located in Dexter, Michigan, Pearl Planning works with clients in Michigan and around the country.

There’s no textbook or directory for your life and the same goes for your financial plan. It should be practical, approachable, and meet you where you are in life. Whether that’s on retirement’s doorstep or dreaming of stepping up to the doorstep of your first home, we’ll help you make confident financial decisions.

WHY PEARL PLANNING?

✅ Financial Planning For Real Life. You don’t have to wait for a good hair day to start your financial plan. Tell us how your life really is and we’ll work with you to guide your next steps.

✅ Fiduciary Advice Built For You. What is fiduciary? We provide recommendations that are in your best interest.

✅ The Gift of Confidence. We affirm your successes and work with you on challenges. All this results in the compound returns of good financial choices.

Education

University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

Volunteer Experience

Finance Committee, Women's Center of Southeast Michigan Past Mentor, Women's Leadership Alliance

Hobbies and Interests

  • Family
  • Reading
  • Soccer
  • Traveling

Who We Serve

  • Baby Boomers
  • Business Owners
  • Corporate Executives
  • Couples
  • Dual Income Family
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Gen X
  • Gen Y / Millennials
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Parents
  • Single Women
  • Women in Transition
  • Women Professionals
  • Women’s Finance

Wealthtender® is a trusted, independent financial directory and educational resource governed by our strict Editorial Policy, Integrity Standards, and Terms of Use. While we receive compensation from featured professionals (a natural conflict of interest), we always operate with integrity and transparency to earn your trust. Wealthtender is not a client of these providers. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.

Write a Review


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5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 28, 2026
Melissa Joy and all her staff have done an outstanding job growing my portfolio! I couldn't be happier with the job they've done for me!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Apr 28, 2026
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Kandi Homyak
Kandi Homyak

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Mar 25, 2026
This team approaches financial planning from a holistic, supportive place. It's a totally different kind of firm, one where you feel like they are really paying attention to all the important aspects of your life, not just investing. Love them!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: This reviewer has never been a client.
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Kelly O'Donnell, EOS Implementer
Kelly O'Donnell, EOS Implementer

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Mar 25, 2026
This team approaches financial planning from a holistic, supportive place. It's a totally different kind of firm, one where you feel like they are really paying attention to all the important aspects of your life, not just investing. Love them!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: This reviewer has never been a client.
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: Current vendor
Disclosure: Kelly O'Donnell is a contractor for Pearl Planning providing EOS Implementer consulting services.
Avatar for Kelly O'Donnell, EOS Implementer
Kelly O'Donnell, EOS Implementer

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 11, 2025
Working with Melissa and the team at Pearl Planning has been an absolute game-changer for my financial life. You can see their approach from the relatable tagline, "No Grit. No Pearl." While all things money can feel overwhelming, this team makes it feel so much easier. No question I have is too small, and no challenge feels too big. Pearl is not just about numbers. They’re about empowering you to make confident decisions for your future. Their commitment to education, whether through their podcast, webinars, or one-on-one conversations, really sets them apart. Every interaction leaves me feeling more informed, more confident, and more in control. If you’re looking for a financial planning team that is both professional and personal, I can’t recommend Pearl Planning enough.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Aug 11, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Laura Garfield
Laura Garfield

5 Stars

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 11, 2025
Working with Melissa and the team at Pearl Planning has been an absolute game-changer for my financial life. You can see their approach from the relatable tagline, "No Grit. No Pearl." While all things money can feel overwhelming, this team makes it feel so much easier. No question I have is too small, and no challenge feels too big. Pearl is not just about numbers. They’re about empowering you to make confident decisions for your future. Their commitment to education, whether through their podcast, webinars, or one-on-one conversations, really sets them apart. Every interaction leaves me feeling more informed, more confident, and more in control. If you’re looking for a financial planning team that is both professional and personal, I can’t recommend Pearl Planning enough.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Aug 11, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: Current vendor of the company
Disclosure: Pearl Planning uses Idea Decanter, an entity co-owned by Laura Garfield, for marketing services.
Avatar for Laura Garfield
Laura Garfield