Number 389 August 14, 2026 St. Louis

Celebrating Black Business Month

All month long, Justine PETERSEN is celebrating Black Business Month by shining a light on Black-owned businesses making their mark across Missouri and Illinois.

This week, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Kelton Slay and Slay Plumbing Company, a business making a lasting impact throughout St. Louis. Through hard work, dedication, and a strong commitment to the community, Kelton Slay has built a company that reflects excellence, perseverance, and the power of Black entrepreneurship.

Today, we celebrate Kelton Slay for the incredible work he has done across St. Louis and recognize the meaningful difference Slay Plumbing Company continues to make.

More Than a Business: Slay Plumbing Company, LLC Continues to Build a Legacy

Picture courtesy of the St. Louis Business Journal

Every once in a while, a success story becomes a little more personal.

For me, the story of Slay Plumbing Company, LLC is one of them.

When my family first moved into our new home, I asked Kelton Slay and his team to complete some plumbing work so my family and I could do laundry in our new residence. At the time, I knew them as the people we trusted to help care for our home. I saw firsthand the professionalism, hard work, and care they brought.

What I did not fully know then was the story behind the business or the role Justine PETERSEN played in helping Kelton and Stephanie Slay continue building it.

That makes sharing their story today a little more special.

A Business Built Through Hard Work

Kelton and Stephanie have been building Slay Plumbing Company, LLC since 1997. Over the years, they have earned a reputation through quality work, strong relationships, and something that cannot always be measured on a balance sheet: trust.

But like many entrepreneurs, their journey was not always easy.

Early on, Slay Plumbing had something most businesses dream about. They had jobs lined up and customers ready for their services.

But there was a problem.

They needed working capital to pay union costs and suppliers upfront before they could complete those jobs.

Kelton and Stephanie knew they had a good business. The work was there. The experience was there. The determination was certainly there.

They just needed someone to give them a chance.

They went from bank to bank searching for financing and continued to hear the same answer: no.

After repeatedly sharing their personal financial information with strangers only to be denied, the process began to take its toll. They were frustrated and defeated. Imagine building a successful business, having customers ready to hire you, and still being told you could not access the money necessary to do the work.

For many entrepreneurs, that could have been where the story ended.

Thankfully, it was not where the Slays’ story ended.

Coming Full Circle

One Article. One Opportunity. One Yes.

Kelton and Stephanie discovered Justine PETERSEN through a newspaper article and decided to give it another shot. After meeting with Galen Gondolfi, Slay Plumbing received working capital through JP’s Contractor Loan Fund.

After hearing “no” so many times, someone finally said yes.

That opportunity allowed them to pay suppliers upfront, take on new jobs, and continue growing. Their relationship with JP continued through technical assistance and additional financing, including support through the Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund.

Years later, Slay Plumbing continues to serve families and businesses throughout our community. My family happens to be one of them.

When we first moved into our home, Kelton and his team did work on our house. There is something special about knowing that a business Justine PETERSEN once helped is now a business my own family has trusted.

That is community development in its simplest form. It is more than loans and numbers. It is helping entrepreneurs build businesses that create jobs, serve families, and become part of the communities around them.

Nearly three decades later, Kelton, Stephanie, and their team are still working, growing, and earning the trust of families like mine.

Justine PETERSEN helps entrepreneurs build stronger businesses, which in turn help build stronger communities.

Sometimes, they even help build the place you call home.

Investing in Opportunity: Justine PETERSEN Thanks Montgomery Bank

Photo of Robert Boyle (Left) Greg Miller of Montgomery Bank (middle) and Sheri Flanigan-Vazquez (right)

We know that meaningful community impact does not happen alone. It happens when organizations come together, recognize a need, and choose to invest in the people and communities working toward something greater.

That is why we are proud to thank Montgomery Bank for its generous grant support of Justine PETERSEN and our mission.

Support from partners like Montgomery Bank allows us to continue meeting individuals, families, and small business owners where they are and connecting them with the resources, education, and access to capital that can help them move forward.

A Partnership Built Through People

Behind every strong partnership are people who believe in the work. We are especially grateful to Greg Miller of Montgomery Bank for his involvement and support of Justine PETERSEN.

Greg and the Montgomery Bank team understand that community development is about more than dollars. It is about relationships, opportunity, and believing in what people can accomplish when they have access to the right resources.

This grant is an investment not only in Justine PETERSEN, but also in the entrepreneurs, families, and communities we have the privilege of serving.

Thank you to Greg Miller and everyone at Montgomery Bank for believing in our mission and helping Justine PETERSEN continue to build assets and change lives.

Fair Housing Is Your Right

Finding a home should be about finding the right place for you and your family, not facing discrimination.

The Fair Housing Act protects people from housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.

At Justine PETERSEN, we strive to be the trusted lifeline that future clients know they can rely on, and we believe knowledge is key to building financial stability and paving the way to homeownership.

Know your rights. Learn more about fair housing protections and the resources available to help you on your housing journey.

To learn more about how we can help with housing education, contact us today!

Upcoming Events

Ready to Take Control of Your Financial Future? 💳✨

Join LaTrisha Gandy for an empowering session: Credit As An Asset—designed to help you build, understand, and leverage your credit with confidence!

Location: Elevator St. Louis, 1230 Macklind Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110

When: August 20th, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Eventbrite Link

Urban League Expo

Tomorrow, the Urban League will be hosting a Community Empowerment Festival! On Saturday, August 15th, our friends at the Urban League will be hosting the festival to bring our community together, bigger and stronger.

Are You Looking for a Loan with Better Terms?

DO YOU HAVE A HIGH-INTEREST AUTO LOAN?

Are you looking to SAVE on interest and reduce your monthly payments?

If you have made consecutive payments for the last 6 months, you may qualify!

Eligibility Criteria:

Current Auto Loan Amount: $20,000 or less

Current Interest Rate: 15% or higher

Learn more

SSBCI Ignite Illinois: Technical Assistance for Your Business!

When you work with Justine PETERSEN, you’re gaining a partner invested in your long-term success. Our experienced team provides personalized guidance to help you build a stronger financial future while growing your business.

Every Great Business Starts with Someone Who Believed in It.

Let us help you take the next step.

Get Started Today!