When you spend ten years spreading happiness, you meet a lot of wonderful people along the way. Kate Laible is one of them. Kate is an artist, a business owner and partner in an art gallery and she recently wrote something about us that stopped us in our tracks.

We want to share a bit of it, because it captures what we hope John's Crazy Socks is really about.

This year marks a decade in business. We started in temporary office space, no inventory, and one big idea: that when you give people a chance, they rise. A father and son, building something together. Ten years later, we're proud to say John's Crazy Socks now has a home you can walk right into: a brick-and-mortar store on Main Street in Huntington. Our grand opening was one of the most joyous days we've had, and CBS News even came out to cover it.

Most of our team members are people of differing abilities. That's not a footnote to our business, it is our business. John, our co-founder, was the first person with Down syndrome ever named to the Forbes 30 Under 30. Ask him what the mission is and he'll tell you plainly: "Spread Happiness." And we back it up — five percent of our profits go to the Special Olympics. (John plays five Special Olympics sports)

Here's what Kate wrote about the socks themselves:

"I once made friends with someone sharing our John's Crazy Socks. She had Van Gogh. I had a remarkable likeness of my cat, Madeline. Soon after, I got to witness another friend, who had suffered a devastating stroke, share the story of literally finding her legs and voice again working with them."

And here's the part that meant the most to us:

"When we went through our own challenges some years ago, they went out of their way to show up and cheer us on, even though we hardly knew each other. This is just the way they are... Each encounter has been profound. We wish them nothing but the best, and thank them for all they do in service, honestly, to everyone."

Thank you, Kate. Showing up for people is the whole point. It's why we started, and it's what the new store is for, a place where anyone can walk in, find a pair of socks that makes them smile, and feel a little more welcome in the world.

Come see us on Main Street. And yes, the socks are incredible.

With gratitude to Kate Laible, artist, business leader and gallery partner, whose original piece you can read here.