We have some exciting news to share!
Pearl Planning has been named one of the 2026 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch, an honor awarded each year by Michigan Celebrates Small Business to recognize small businesses across the state for growth, innovation, and community impact.
It means a lot to us to be recognized alongside so many remarkable Michigan businesses. We started Pearl Planning right here in Dexter, Michigan, and being acknowledged as a standout company in the state we call home is something we do not take for granted.
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What Is the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award?
Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) has been recognizing outstanding entrepreneurs and small businesses for more than two decades. Each year, the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award identifies 50 second-stage businesses — companies that have moved past the startup phase and are actively growing, adding jobs, and strengthening their local economies.
Selection is based on data submitted by the companies themselves, including performance metrics through December 31, 2025. The 2026 award was released on February 12, 2026. There are no fees associated with participation in this ranking.
What This Recognition Means for Our Clients
When you work with Pearl Planning, you are working with a firm that takes its responsibilities seriously to you, to our team, and to the broader community we serve.
This recognition reflects the trust our clients have placed in us over the years. Growing a financial planning firm depends on something you cannot fake. We value real relationships built on consistent, quality advice. Our clients’ referrals of friends, family members, and colleagues have been one of the most meaningful drivers of our growth, and we are so grateful for that.
It also reflects the incredible Pearl Planning team. Every person here is committed to making financial planning accessible, thoughtful, and impactful for the people we serve. Building a firm is a team effort, and we are proud of what we have built together.
What’s Next for Pearl Planning
We are not slowing down. Our goal remains the same. We want to help people make smart, confident financial decisions as life gets busier and their finances grow more complex.
Whether you are thinking about retirement, equity compensation, college planning, aging parent support, tax decisions, or simply trying to make good choices with limited time, we are here. Our team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals is ready to help you think through what comes next.
If you’ve been thinking about getting started with a financial planner, we’d love to connect. You can book a complimentary call at pearlplanning.com.
Award Disclosure
Third-party rankings and recognition from rating services or publications are no guarantee of future investment success. Working with a highly rated advisor does not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor or by any client, nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation. Generally, ratings, rankings, and recognition are based on information prepared and submitted by the advisor. This ranking is based on data as of 12/31/2025. The ranking was released on 02/12/2026. Pearl Planning and Melissa Joy did not pay any compensation to be considered for this rating. The methodology used to determine The Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award can be found at michigancelebrates.org/about-our-awards.
Important Disclosure: Please remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Pearl Planning, or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this blog will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from PEARL PLANNING. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to their individual situation, you are encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of your choosing. Neither PEARL PLANNING’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if PEARL PLANNING is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. PEARL PLANNING is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the blog content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the PEARL PLANNING’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available for review upon request or at https://pearlplanning.com/. Please Note: Pearly Planning does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Pearl’s web site or blog or incorporated herein and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please Remember: If you are a PEARL PLANNING client, please contact PEARL PLANNING, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. Unless, and until, you notify us, in writing, to the contrary, we shall continue to provide services as we do currently. Please Also Remember to advise us if you have not been receiving account statements (at least quarterly) from the account custodian.