Number 391 August 28, 2026 St. Louis

Celebrating Black Business Month

As we close out Black Business Month, we want to take a moment to celebrate the entrepreneurs, dreamers, and business owners who continue to make an impact throughout our communities.

Frank Davis of Davis Moving LLC is a great example. Frank has built a trusted name in St. Louis through moving, rehabbing, and revitalizing homes, while also helping carry on his family’s legacy through Heaven’s Creamery, inspired by his grandmother’s cherished recipes.

Along the way, Frank turned to Justine PETERSEN for funding and support to help his businesses grow. He also credits the guidance of Lakeisha Stephenson and our own Yolanda Nelson as part of the community that has helped him continue moving forward.

Frank’s story represents what Black Business Month is all about: entrepreneurship, perseverance, legacy, and community. And while August may be coming to an end, our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs like Frank continues all year long.

Here’s to continuing to build businesses, create opportunities, and invest in the communities we call home.

One Year Later: Frank Davis Is Still Moving

Picture courtesy of Facebook

A year can change a lot for a small business owner. For Frank Davis, it has meant another year of moving forward, building relationships, and continuing to turn his entrepreneurial vision into something bigger.

When we first shared Frank’s story, we introduced an entrepreneur who seemingly had his hands in a little bit of everything. Through Davis Moving LLC, Frank built a reputation around St. Louis for moving, contracting, and rehabbing homes. At the same time, his family’s Heaven’s Creamery represented another side of his entrepreneurial spirit: family, food, and a legacy inspired by recipes and traditions passed down from his grandmother.

One year later, that same drive is still there.

Frank continues to find ways to grow, attract new customers, and create opportunities across both sides of his entrepreneurial journey. While the businesses may look completely different on the surface, the foundation behind them is very much the same: family, relationships, hard work, and faith.

Access to funding has helped him advance his ideas, but for Frank, the relationship goes beyond simply receiving a loan. Having people who understand entrepreneurs, listen to their goals, and remain available as their businesses evolve is what makes the difference.

Working with people like Yolanda Nelson is part of what makes coming back to Justine PETERSEN an easy decision for Frank. When an entrepreneur knows there is someone in their corner who understands where they have been and where they are trying to go, that relationship becomes much more than a transaction.

It becomes a partnership.

That same appreciation extends to Lakeisha Stephenson, whom Frank continues to credit for offering guidance and advice and for helping point him in the right direction throughout his real estate and property journey. Frank understands that building something successful does not mean doing everything alone. Sometimes, knowing the right people and being willing to listen can change the trajectory of a business.

Still Looking Up

Ask Frank how far he believes all of this can go, and his outlook has not changed:

The sky is still the limit.

But behind that ambition is something even more important to him: his faith. Keeping God first continues to guide how Frank approaches his businesses, his family, and the opportunities ahead of him.

A year later, Frank’s story is not finished. In many ways, that is the point.

Small business success rarely happens in one big moment. It happens through another customer, another property, another opportunity, another relationship, and sometimes another “yes” when an entrepreneur needs it most.

At Justine PETERSEN, we are proud to continue being one of those relationships for Frank Davis.

Whether he is moving it, rebuilding it, or serving something sweet, Frank continues to show St. Louis what can happen when you keep working, keep believing, and keep moving forward. There is still plenty more to come.

Your Family Has Housing Rights

Equal Access. Equal Opportunity.

A home should be a place where everyone has the opportunity to live independently and comfortably.

People with disabilities have important protections under fair housing laws. Housing providers may be required to make reasonable accommodations to rules, policies, practices, or services when necessary for a person with a disability to fully use and enjoy their home.

Accessibility is part of fair housing.

Know your rights and don’t be afraid to ask questions about reasonable accommodations.

Heads Held High Boutique & Candy Store’s Grand Opening!

We are excited to share that Head Over Heels Boutique and Candy Store will be opening its doors next Saturday, September 5th, 2026. Josie Ladd is the owner and a client of ours, and we could not be happier for the boutique! Information is on the flyer.

ICCC Will Host a Spectacular Event: Grow Your Business

We’re excited to share that Justine PETERSEN will be featured as part of the Resource Panel for Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC)!

ICCC is a national business accelerator built for growth-stage entrepreneurs who are ready to strengthen their businesses, sharpen their strategy, access capital, and SCALE. Through executive education, peer learning, coaching, and capital readiness support, entrepreneurs get the tools and connections they need to keep moving forward.

And that’s where JP comes in!

Justine PETERSEN will be joining the conversation as a resource panelist and one of ICCC’s Capital Coaches, helping entrepreneurs better understand their funding options and how to become capital-ready.

Could this be you or a business you know?

ICCC is currently looking to enroll approximately 25 more businesses that are:

In operation for at least 3 years

Generating $150,000+ in annual revenue

Ready to GROW, SCALE, and explore what’s next

Know a business that would be a great fit? Send them our way! We’d be happy to make a warm introduction, or you can nominate a business directly through ICCC’s online nomination form.

This is the kind of room we LOVE seeing entrepreneurs in: resources, relationships, capital, and opportunities to grow.

Let’s get some St. Louis businesses in that room!

For more information, go to icic.org/iccc/stlouis.

Are You Looking for a Loan with Better Terms?

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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

https://justinepetersen.tfaforms.net/f/Loan-Service-Request

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.

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