Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerime Francis.
Jerime, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It all started with a true obsession for the classics. For me, nothing beats the soul of an old VW Bug, the character of a pre-1970 VW Bus, or the “sexy” lines of a Porsche 911. Those aren’t just cars; they’re a lifestyle. That passion for unique, cool rides is exactly what sparked the idea for Grateful Motors.
I realized that just because someone is dealing with a tough credit situation, it doesn’t mean they should have to settle for a boring “point A to point B” box. Everyone deserves to get behind the wheel of a vehicle they actually love and feel proud to drive.
In 2016, we opened Grateful Motors in Arnold with a simple mission: treat people like neighbors, not numbers. We wanted to bring that “Sign and Drive” ease to the community, making sure quality pre-owned vehicles were accessible to everyone—whether you have bad credit, no credit, or you’re just looking for your next favorite ride.
Fast forward 10 years, and we’re still at it. We’re proud to be a family-run, women-owned business with a 92% recommendation rate, and honestly, we’re just grateful to be here.
We aren’t just moving metal; we’re helping our neighbors move forward in style. Here’s to the next 10 years!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If you think starting an independent dealership is easy, I’ve got a bridge to sell you! It definitely hasn’t been all sunshine and easy deals.
One of the biggest hurdles early on was just getting noticed. When we first started out, we were fighting an uphill battle with visibility. For a long time, if you searched for us on a map, you’d still see the old “BBC Motors” name or find yourself directed to an old address. For a small business, being “invisible” on Google is a nightmare. We had to work twice as hard to prove we were here, we were different, and we were here to stay.
Another major challenge was building trust. The used car industry doesn’t always have the best reputation, especially when you’re working with people who have had a rough time with their credit. We had to prove to our customers—and to the banks—that we weren’t just “another car lot.” We had to fight to find the right financing partners who actually shared our mission of helping people rebuild their lives, not just their credit scores.
Being a family-run, women-owned business in a world of giant corporate auto groups means we’ve had to be scrappy. We’ve faced economic shifts, inventory shortages, and plenty of “no’s” from people who didn’t see the vision. But every time we hit a roadblock, we just leaned harder into our community.
The struggle is what made us “Grateful.” It reminded us that the people who walk through our doors are often facing their own uphill battles, and it’s our job to help them over that next hill.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Grateful Motors is more than just a used car dealership; it’s a staple of the Arnold, Missouri community where we’ve been operating for over 10 years. We specialize in providing quality, reliable pre-owned vehicles—everything from everyday sedans and family SUVs to hard-working trucks and vans.
What really sets us apart is our “Sign and Drive” philosophy. We believe everyone deserves a reliable ride, so we specialize in flexible financing for every situation, whether someone has no credit, bad credit, or is just looking to rebuild.
On a personal level, the heart of our brand comes from a lifelong obsession with air-cooled classics. While we sell modern cars to keep our neighbors moving, my real passion lies in VW Bugs, pre-1970 Buses, and Porsche 911s. That authentic love for automotive history is what drives our high standards for every vehicle on the lot. We’re proud to be a local business that has weathered the ups and downs of the industry while staying true to our roots and helping our customers get behind the wheel with confidence.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Success is never a solo mission. First and foremost, I have to give credit to my wife, Julie. She’s been my biggest supporter and teammate through the 10-year journey of building Grateful Motors. Whether it’s dealing with the day-to-day logistics or the big-picture stress of running a dealership, she’s the one who keeps everything grounded.
I also owe a huge thanks to our long-term customers here in Arnold. We have folks who bought their first car from us a decade ago and now bring their kids in for theirs. That loyalty is what keeps us going.
Lastly, I’d shout out our lending partners. We specialize in helping people with challenging credit, and we couldn’t do that without the advocates at the finance companies who work with us to find a path forward for every customer. They are a big part of why we can offer that ‘Sign and Drive’ experience that we’re so proud of
Pricing:
- 2014 Dodge Durango Citadel – $12,990 (The perfect spacious alternative to the Navigator)
- 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport – $6,700 (Incredible value SUV)
- 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT – $8,490 (Efficient & reliable)
- 2016 Ford Escape Titanium – $10,990 (Loaded with premium features)
- 2019 Kia Optima LX – $11,990 (Modern style at a great price point)
Contact Info:
- Website: http://gratefulmotors.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gratefulmotors/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/Gratefulmotors/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerime-francis-07507025/
- Twitter: https://x.com/grateful_motors
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gratefulmotors7404
- Yelp: https://yelp.com/biz/grateful-motors-arnold
