Justine Petersen

08/07/2026

JP Update: Black Business Month In St. Louis - https://mailchi.mp/justinepetersen/jp-update-3991976

08/06/2026

Love seeing communities come together to support entrepreneurs. 👏

If you're in the Kirksville area and have been thinking about starting a business, growing one, or just want to learn more about financing options, this is a great opportunity.

I'm especially excited that Justine PETERSEN will featured in part of the Lunch & Lending Roundtable on August 20th which includes U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) overview and others.

It's always encouraging to partner with organizations that are committed to helping local businesses thrive. If you're nearby, we'd love to see you there!

You can read more about the event and everything happening throughout the Kirksville Area Chamber's August calendar here:

Kirksville Daily Express article - https://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/stories/kirksville-area-chamber-of-commerce-august-calendar-packed-with-ribbon-cuttings-community-events,32043

Community events, ribbon cuttings and local programs are ramping up across Kirksville this August, offering residents, students and business owners a packed schedule of networking, entertainment and …

08/04/2026

Celebrating Black Business Month 🖤💛❤️💚

This August, we celebrate the entrepreneurs, innovators, and business owners who help strengthen communities across Missouri and Illinois.

At Justine PETERSEN, we’re proud to support Black-owned businesses by offering access to capital, financial education, and business resources that help entrepreneurs start, grow continuously, and succeed!

We are building stronger businesses, stronger communities, and brighter futures.

07/31/2026

JP Update: - Turning the Key to a Better Future http://eepurl.com/T_1boPZStD

07/31/2026

🚗 ICYMI: Justine PETERSEN Featured on First Alert 4!

If you missed it, our own LaTrisha Gandy joined Michael Henry on First Alert 4 to share how the DRIVE Loan Program is helping people escape high-interest auto loans and build a stronger financial future.

Michael’s journey is exactly why we do this work. After entering the program with a credit score of 498, he worked alongside our team to improve his financial health, raising his score to 645. Along the way, he refinanced his vehicle, saved money, and is now preparing for the next chapter of his life: starting his own business.

As Michael shared, “Justine PETERSEN gave me the tools to not only increase my credit score, but save a lot of money. If it were not for JP, I would still be paying a crazy amount of money just to drive my car. Now I am able to plan for my future and get the business loan I need to get that started.”

This is what Building Assets. Changing Lives. looks like.

📺 Watch the full story here:
First Alert 4: Justine PETERSEN Helps Drivers Escape High-Interest Auto Loans

07/30/2026

Join our friends at Exonerated Nation for their Match Challenge!

Obie Anthony, the founder and CEO of Exonerated Nation, recently spent time with us to share the incredible work they are doing, which is growing rapidly.

Make a donation today! The drive ends tomorrow! You can scan the QR code or visit exoneratednation.org/donate.

❤️

07/29/2026

When natural disasters hit, small businesses don't just face physical damage — they face a race against the clock. ⏱️

With a median cash buffer of under a month, missing just a few weeks of revenue while waiting on federal aid can lead to permanent closure.

In this new brief, "From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response," author Joyce A. Klein, senior director of the Business Ownership Initiative at the Aspen Institute, outlines how Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) step up to fill this critical liquidity gap — and what funders, investors, and policymakers must do to support them.

This report draws directly from the frontline experience and collaborative insights of Microfinance Impact Collaborative partners (Accion Opportunity Fund, Allies for Community Business, Ascendus, DreamSpring, Justine PETERSEN, and LiftFund), as well as Scale Link and Four Bands Community Fund.

Key recommendations include:

🔹 Deploying a Comprehensive Capital Mix: Funders must cover not just loan capital, but interest rate buydowns, operational surge costs, and loan loss reserves to protect CDFI solvency.

🔹 Leveraging "Hub and Spoke" Partnerships: Pairing the local trust and verification of community-based CDFIs with the digital scale and fraud-detection tech of high-volume regional/national lenders.

🔹 Pre-Positioning Capital: Moving to a "shelf-registration" model so capital can flow within days, not months, of a disaster declaration.

Read the full brief to explore the four financial relief products and actionable strategies for long-term economic resilience:

https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/from-crisis-to-continuity-optimizing-cdfi-capital-and-partnerships-for-natural-disaster-response/

07/28/2026

One of the best parts of working at Justine PETERSEN is getting to meet people where they are and being part of the communities we serve.

This past Saturday, our very own Yolanda Nelson represented Justine PETERSEN at the Paula Foster Care Fair hosted by the Renaissance Place Community Tenant Association. She had the opportunity to connect with families, share resources, answer questions, and simply let people know that someone is here to help.

As our community continues to recover from the recent tornadoes, we know that rebuilding takes more than supplies. It takes trusted relationships, honest conversations, and organizations that are committed to walking alongside families every step of the way.

That’s what Justine PETERSEN is all about. Whether you’re working to build your credit, buy a home, start a business, or simply need someone to point you in the right direction, we’re here to help. We believe everyone deserves a trusted partner they can turn to, and we’re honored every time we have the opportunity to earn that trust.

Thank you to the Renaissance Place Community Tenant Association for inviting us to be part of such an important day. We can’t wait to continue serving our neighbors and helping build stronger communities together.

07/25/2026

Every child deserves the opportunity to dream bigger.

When David and Yonnick Williams founded Williams Academy, they set out to create more than a childcare center. They created a place where children could learn, grow, and discover their potential through STEAM education.

After reaching capacity in just four years, they’re now expanding with Williams Academy Express in Florissant, bringing quality childcare and educational opportunities to even more families.

David’s mission is simple: help children see a future filled with opportunity instead of becoming another statistic. He believes every child deserves the chance to succeed.

Like many entrepreneurs, funding the next step wasn’t easy. But with support from Justine PETERSEN and our partners at Simmons Bank, that vision is becoming a reality.

We’re proud to support leaders like David and Yonnick who are investing in the next generation and making our communities stronger, one child at a time.

Have a dream for your business? Let’s talk about how Justine PETERSEN can help you take the next step.

07/24/2026

JP Update: Planting the Seeds for Success - https://mailchi.mp/justinepetersen/jp-update-3991934

Celebrate International Self-Care Day! Today, July 24th, 2026.