In Memory of Joe Soraghan

by Judy Meador

The St. Louis small-business community has lost one of its longtime and strongest advocates—Joe Soraghan. Joe passed awsy October 26, 2023. Joe was an attorney with Danna McKitrick who specialized in working with small businesses and securities law. He also mentored entrepreneurs through the Gateway Venture Mentoring Service and the Information Technology Entrepreneur Network (ITEN). He loved assisting entrepreneurs with structuring and funding their businesses.

He was a founding director and member of Missouri Venture Forum longer than anyone. Missouri Venture Forum was an organization that helped entrepreneurs grow their businesses. It was made up of attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and anyone else interested in helping small businesses grow and prosper. It was a place to go to find help or learn where to go for the help you need. Joe wrote the original bylaws and was the secretary for more than 25 years. He only gave up that role when he became president of the organization.

The U.S. Small Business Association honored Joe with the Financial Services Champion, Region VII award in 2005. St. Louis Small Business Monthly (SBM) named Joe to the St. Louis Business Hall of Fame. Members of the Business Hall of Fame are chosen in recognition of their lifetime contributions, accomplishments, and leadership in business throughout the St. Louis region. SBM also selected him as a 2009 Top St. Louis Entrepreneurial Lawyer and one of the 2011 “100 St. Louisans You Should Know.”

Joe was selected to Super Lawyers for 2010-2012. This peer designation is awarded to only a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state. The Super Lawyers selection process takes into account peer recognition, professional achievement in legal practice, and other cogent factors.

He was my lawyer when I sold my company, St. Louis Small Business Inc., which publishes this publication. And as a second longest member of Missouri Venture Forum, I worked with Joe many years and was always impressed with his dedication and tireless efforts to help business owners. At the age 82, he was still working when he died.

St. Louis needs more honorable, dedicated, trustworthy people like Joe helping our small- business community. Goodbye, Joe. You will be missed.

Judy Meador, now retired, is the former Owner and Publisher of St. Louis Small Business Monthly (1991-2007).