John's Crazy Socks

John Cronin’s message is simple, “socks, socks and more socks”, but the 21-year-old entrepreneur with Down syndrome and founder of John’s Crazy Socks’ Opens a New Window. mission is much more powerful; smashing stereotypes of what people with a disability can achieve.

“Down syndrome never holds me back,” John Cronin tells FOX Business. “I love inspiring
people.” In 2016, John was finishing high school and, like other young men, was facing a big decision of what to do next.

“He started talking to me about going in to business,” Mark X. Cronin, John’s Dad, co-founder and president of John’s Crazy Socks, tells FOX Business.

John came to his dad with some interesting ideas, including a “fun store” -- they are still trying to figure that one out -- and a food truck.

“I had a problem, my dad and I, both of us can’t cook!” jokes  John Cronin.

Eventually, John’s love for colorful sock flair became an inspiration, and in December 2016, John’s Crazy Socks, an online one-stop sock shop, opened for business.  From food-inspired knee highs to canine crew socks, John’s Crazy Sock’s now boasts over 1,300 pairs of fun, funky socks. Since opening, business has been booming.

“We are on a mission to spread happiness, and we are spreading that message through socks,” says Mark X. Cronin.

Each order is shipped out the same day which includes John’s story, often a hand written note by John, some candy and two discount cards - “one for you and one to give to a friend.”…

“I think there was an assumption on many that this was a quaint, little business, you were doing part time and on the side.  When they find out, in our first year, we are going to do $1.2 to $1.3 million dollars, that makes people sit up,” says Mark X. Cronin. “Which I would suggest is pretty good for a startup.”…

More than profit, John and Mark are dedicated to giving back.  5% of their sales go to charity, like the National Down syndrome Society, and they carry specialty socks for causes like Autism Awareness. In addition, John and Mark’s staff include employees who have a disability.

“We are demonstrating that by working with people with special needs they become an asset, they become a reason for our success, not a liability, not an obstacle.  We had to overcome that,” says Mark X. Cronin….

The team recently expanded, now headquartered in a 6,400 square foot warehouse and office in Melville, New York.  John spends his days working with fellow employees, packing orders, making phone calls and coming up with unique initiatives like the “Monday Madness Mystery Bag” and a sock-of-the-month club. Mark and John also make it a priority to keep their fans informed via John’s social media channels…

“John and I have this special partnership. We both know we need each other. We are both committed to the mission we have and we want to work together, I’m a lucky man to be able to work with my son,” says Mark X. Cronin.

“I’m telling the whole world, I really can do anything,” adds John Cronin.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/10/16/down-syndrome-entrepreneur-builds-success-out-socks-shatters-stereotypes.html