Recently, we were featured in The American News, sharing the story of how a father and son — one with Down syndrome, the other a lifelong entrepreneur — built more than a business: we built a mission.
It started with socks. But it was always about more than socks.
When my son John and I started John's Crazy Socks, we had no grand business plan or funding strategy. We had love, an idea, and a shared determination to do something meaningful together.
John said,
"I want to go into business with you, Dad."
I said,
"Okay. Let's make it happen."
That moment evolved into a social enterprise that now ships to 94 countries, employs dozens of people (more than half of whom have differing abilities), and has raised over $800,000 for our charity partners, including the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America.
However, along the way, we've learned powerful lessons that any organization, HR leader, or purpose-driven entrepreneur can apply. Here are two of the biggest.
Inclusive Hiring Isn't Charity — It's Smart Business
There's a line we repeat often, because it's true:
"Hiring people with differing abilities is not altruism. It's good business."
At John's Crazy Socks, over half of our team members have a differing ability, including Down syndrome, autism, and other intellectual or developmental disabilities. And guess what?
They are our most dependable, most engaged, and highest-performing employees.
We operate a pick-and-pack warehouse, where speed, accuracy, and care are paramount. Our teams, composed almost entirely of colleagues with differing abilities, fulfill our promise of same-day shipping and consistently deliver an error rate of less than 0.2%.
You read that right: less than two errors per thousand packages. That's not just inclusion, that's operational excellence.
Too many employers overlook this talent pool. They assume hiring someone with a disability means extra effort or lower performance. Our experience and our results prove the opposite.
Inclusive hiring leads to higher morale, better retention, and a culture that truly lives its values.
So, if you're an HR leader, ask yourself: are we leaving talent on the table because of outdated assumptions? And if you're a business owner, what could change if you widened the lens to include more contributors?
A Family Business Built on Love and Purpose
People sometimes call us a "heartwarming story." And sure, there's plenty of heart here. But there's also strategy, discipline, and a clear mission-first mindset.
We're proud to be a family business. But even more so, we're proud to be a purpose-driven enterprise, one where every decision filters through a simple question:
"Will this spread happiness?"
That's why every order includes a thank-you note from John and a few pieces of candy. It's why we've created welcome kits, custom socks for corporate partners, a podcast, and even launched a coaching and speaking practice to help other organizations learn from our journey.
Inclusion isn't a line item for us; it's embedded in everything we do. And the results speak for themselves.
Let's Build Something Together
If you're leading a company, raising a family, or building something of your own, we want you to know this:
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People with differing abilities are ready, willing, and able to work.
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Inclusive hiring creates a competitive advantage.
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Purpose and performance are not opposites; they rise together.
We've been blessed to speak on global stages, testify before Congress, and share our story with audiences across North America. But our favorite moments are when someone says:
"Your story gave us hope."
"We hired someone like John, and it changed our workplace."
"We started believing again in what business can be."
If you'd like to share this message with your organization, classroom, or family business, we'd be delighted to work with you.
Visit our speaking website (JohnandMarkCronin.com) or email us at booking@jmspeak.com. Or learn more about our work through the original American News feature here.
Let's change how the world sees people with differing abilities — and build businesses that spread happiness, one step (and one sock) at a time.
