At John’s Crazy Socks, the mission is clear: to show what people with differing abilities can do and to prove that hiring them isn’t charity—it’s smart business. More than half of the employees at John’s Crazy Socks have differing abilities, and the company is always looking for ways to create meaningful employment.
Sometimes, those opportunities are right in front of us—we just need to recognize them.That’s exactly what happened when we realized we were outsourcing office cleaning when we could be creating a job instead.
Turning an Outsourced Expense into an In-House Opportunity
Like many businesses, John’s Crazy Socks had been paying an outside company to clean their offices. But one day, we took a closer look and asked, “Why are we paying an outside contractor when we could be creating a job for someone with differing abilities?”
Instead of outsourcing, we brought the job in-house—what we call ‘insourcing’—and created a new position: Captain Clean. The role would ensure the office remained spotless while also providing meaningful employment to a person with differing abilities.
The position was posted internally, and many enthusiastic candidates applied. After a thoughtful selection process, Maggie earned the job. Now, as Captain Clean, she is keeping the office in top shape while proving—once again—that people with differing abilities can thrive in the workplace when given the opportunity.
More Than Just an Opportunity—It’s Good Business
At John’s Crazy Socks, hiring people with differing abilities isn’t just about creating jobs—it’s about making smart business decisions. As co-founder Mark X. Cronin always says,“Hiring people with differing abilities is not altruism, it’s good business.”
This decision didn’t just benefit Maggie—it made financial sense. By shifting from an outsourced cleaning service to an in-house employee, the company saved money while improving accountability and service quality. Maggie takes pride in her work, ensuring the office stays clean and organized, and the team gets the added benefit of working alongside a dedicated and enthusiastic colleague.
A Challenge to All of Us
We all need to ask some basic questions:
-
Are there tasks or roles that could be done in-house instead of being outsourced?
-
Do we already have jobs that a person with differing abilities can fill?
-
Are there opportunities to create jobs for people with differing abilities?
-
How can your companybenefit from a more inclusive workforce?
Sometimes, the right opportunity is already there—we justhave to see it.
At John’s Crazy Socks, every job created for a person with differing abilities helps advance the company’s mission: Spreading Happiness and proving that inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do.
About John’s Crazy Socks
John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. With more than 4,000 sock varieties, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $800,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, we are Spreading Happiness™.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account, TikTok or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
