Drive Social Media founder Josh Sample named to St. Louis Business Journal 40 Under 40

Drive Social Media founder and board member Josh Sample was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s 2026 40 Under 40 class, with honorees recognized Nov. 5 at Ballpark Village. The recognition underscores the company’s growth since its 2012 founding in St. Louis and Sample’s shift into a governance role.

Why it matters: - The 40 Under 40 honor spotlights business leaders with measurable impact on their companies and the St. Louis region. - Sample’s recognition adds public validation to Drive Social Media’s growth story after more than a decade in market. - The award also reflects a leadership transition at Drive Social Media, where Sample now focuses on board-level direction rather than daily management.

What happened: - Josh Sample, founder and board member of Drive Social Media, was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s 2026 40 Under 40 class. - The Business Journal recognized the honorees at an event at Ballpark Village on Nov. 5. - The Business Journal announced the 2026 class in September and published honoree profiles in November.

The details: - The annual awards program honors 40 professionals under 40 who have distinguished themselves in their companies, industries and communities. - The Business Journal selected the class through an independent editorial review of achievements and contributions to organizations and the St. Louis region. - Sample founded Drive Social Media in St. Louis in 2012. - Drive Social Media started by helping small businesses manage social media content. - The company later expanded into paid media, creative production, customer data and advertising measurement. - Drive Social Media made the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States eight consecutive times from 2017 through 2024. - Sample’s current role is founder and board member. - Sample is not involved in Drive Social Media’s day-to-day operations. - The company’s executive leadership team manages employees, clients and daily business activities. - Sample contributes to long-term direction and governance at the board level. - Drive Social Media is a marketing company working with businesses on advertising strategy, creative production, paid media and measurement. - More information about the St. Louis Business Journal’s 2026 40 Under 40 class is available here. - Information about Drive Social Media is available here. - Drive Social Media’s LinkedIn page is available here.

Between the lines: - The honor highlights a founder who built a local company and then stepped back into a governance role as the business scaled. - The repeated Inc. 5000 appearances suggest sustained growth, not a one-time spike. - The profile positions Drive Social Media as a St. Louis-rooted company with broader national business traction.

What's next: - Drive Social Media’s executive team will continue handling daily operations. - Sample will remain involved through board oversight and long-term strategy. - The 40 Under 40 recognition may further raise Sample’s profile in St. Louis business circles.

The bottom line: - The award recognizes both Sample’s individual leadership and Drive Social Media’s evolution from a local social media shop into a broader marketing company.