Number 310 January 24, 2025 St. Louis
Success Story: Good Life Growing – Cultivating Resilience and Change
Building a Better Tomorrow Through Food, Housing, and Community
Good Life Growing (GLG) is a St. Louis-based social enterprise with a mission to combat urban decay and food insecurity. For the past 12 years, GLG has embodied the principles of Triple bottom-line economics, integrating People, Planet, and Profitability into every aspect of its operations. Despite the challenges inherent in this mission, GLG’s small-but-mighty team has remained steadfast, driven by the tangible, positive impacts they’ve made in their community.
Since 2016, Good Life Growing has found an invaluable ally in Justine PETERSEN. Together, the organizations have shared a unique vision of creating sustainable, community-focused solutions for St. Louis and beyond. The partnership’s collaborative efforts and innovative strategies have been a cornerstone in GLG’s ability to persevere through adversity, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facing the Challenges of a Generational Disruption
When the pandemic struck, the ripple effects were immediate and devastating. GLG lost 90% of its customer base as restaurants and wholesalers shuttered their doors. The heart of GLG’s operations—its community outreach programs—also came to a halt. In-person gatherings, education cohorts, and volunteer activities, which were critical to their mission, were no longer possible. Federal and foundational funding for these initiatives evaporated, compounding the difficulties.
Additionally, the broader food system experienced a seismic shift, with supply chains disrupted and consolidation forcing customers to prioritize large-scale, low-cost goods. GLG’s mission-driven model, designed for impact over scale, faced immense pressure.
Finding Strength Through Partnership
Amid this turmoil, GLG turned to Justine PETERSEN. Leveraging their longstanding relationship, GLG found a trusted partner to navigate this crisis. With guidance from Justine PETERSEN’s leadership, including Rob Boyle and Sheri Flanigan-Vazquez, GLG began to adapt its business model to ensure its survival and future success.
One of the most promising initiatives born from this collaboration is the pivot to “Agri-hood Developments”—a visionary model combining housing and garden spaces in a seamless, community-centric design. This approach allows GLG to address both food insecurity and housing shortages in North St. Louis, creating a blueprint for scalable, sustainable change.
A New Chapter of Growth
Today, GLG is emerging stronger and more focused than ever. With the unwavering support of Justine PETERSEN, GLG is planning the next phase of its journey: evolving into a provider of both food and shelter while continuing to champion sustainability and community development. Over the next 3–5 years, GLG envisions expanding its model and bringing accessible food and housing solutions to underserved communities nationwide.
The challenges of the past few years have only reinforced GLG’s commitment to its mission. Thanks to the resilience of its team and the partnership with Justine PETERSEN, Good Life Growing is ready to write the next chapter of its success story—one where communities thrive through innovation, collaboration, and an unyielding dedication to the greater good.
If you want to know more about Good Life Growing, go to: https://www.goodlifegrowing.com/
Join Us for Our Lunch and Learns This Year!
Join us for our engaging Lunch and Learn sessions, where we combine insightful presentations with a delicious break from your day! Each session features expert speakers, practical tips, and the chance to expand your skills in an hour or less. Whether it’s marketing, professional growth, or industry insights, there’s always something new to discover.
After kicking off the year with an incredible turnout for our first Lunch & Learn, we’re keeping the momentum going strong!
Join us on January 30th, 2025
12:30 PM
Featuring the one and only Dr. Sabrina M. Brown
Topic: Mastering Tax Season Like a BOSS!
Learn expert tips and strategies to tackle tax season with confidence. Whether you’re a business owner, freelancer, or simply looking to maximize your returns, this session is for YOU!
Don’t miss out on this game-changing event!
Tag a friend or colleague who could use some tax season mastery.
Coming up February 13th, 2025
Take Control of Your Credit Today!
Don’t wait—join My Credit Compass and gain instant access to your FICO8 credit score and real-time credit monitoring. This is your chance to stay ahead, protect your financial future, and unlock new opportunities.
Empower yourself to grow, save, and succeed.
Limited time to take charge! Start your journey now and navigate your way to financial freedom with My Credit Compass.
Sign up today! Contact Cameron Stuhl ASAP at cstuhl@justinepetersen.org
Discover Our Loan Products: Empowering Small Businesses and Homeowners
At Justine PETERSEN, we’re dedicated to fostering growth and opportunity through accessible financial solutions. Our loan products are designed to meet the diverse needs of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and homeowners. Here’s a quick look at some of our programs:
- IgniteMO: Empowering Missouri’s small businesses, IgniteMO aims to provide funds to businesses statewide. Whether you’re starting or scaling up, IgniteMO is here to fuel your entrepreneurial journey.
- DRIVE & Take A Right Turn: These programs provide financial assistance for reliable transportation. DRIVE helps individuals refinance a vehicle, while Take A Right Turn covers costs like tag renewals and insurance, ensuring you stay on the road safely and confidently.
- WeatherUP: From storm-proofing your home to energy-efficient upgrades, WeatherUP provides funding for weatherization projects, keeping your home safe and comfortable in every season.
No matter where you are on your journey, Justine PETERSEN has a solution to help you succeed.
For more details on these and other programs, contact us today or visit our website to learn how we can support your goals!
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Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation · 1023 N Grand Blvd · Saint Louis, MO 63106-1641 · USA