At John’s Crazy Socks, we’re not just selling socks—we’re spreading happiness. That mission drives everything we do, especially how we hire and empower our warehouse team. Around here, our pickers aren’t just pickers. They’re Sock Wranglers. And they’re at the very heart of our business.
Why We Do Fulfillment In-House
Every e-commerce business needs to ship orders. Many choose to outsource that job to third-party logistics companies. But not us. We run our own pick-and-pack warehouse because we believe in doing things differently—and for the right reasons.
We want to create jobs. We want to offer meaningful work to people with differing abilities. And we want every package we send to feel personal, joyful, and full of love, something no outside partner could ever replicate.
Operating our own warehouse isn’t just a business choice. It’s a values choice. Fulfillment centers are everywhere these days, but very few are built on inclusion. Ours is.
Our Sock Wranglers Are the Heart of It All
Our Sock Wranglers pick and pack every order with care. It’s our entry-level role, and most of the people in this position have a differing ability. But let’s be clear—they don’t work here because of charity. They work here because they earned it. And they’re really good at what they do.
Building a Talent Pipeline—Before a Job Even Opens
Inclusive hiring doesn’t start with a job posting. It starts with community. That’s why we:
-
Share stories and behind-the-scenes videos of our Sock Wranglers at work
-
Host tours for schools and social service agencies (over 4,000 people have joined John on a tour!)
-
Invite student work groups to gain real-world experience
-
Stay active in our community, showing what’s possible
We want people to see themselves in our team. Because once someone sees others like them thriving at work, something powerful happens: hope, confidence, and a sense of belonging grow.
So when we do post a job opening, it’s not a shot in the dark. We don’t rely on big job boards that churn out piles of resumes. Instead, word spreads through our community—families, schools, agencies, and current team members. Applicants already know who we are and what we’re about. And they want in.
A Hiring Process Built on Respect
We take care in how we bring people into our business. Here's what it looks like:
-
Come In, Meet the Team
We review every application, then invite candidates to visit us—not just for an interview, but to see the job and meet our team. We want them to know who we are, what we believe, and how we work. And we want to hear from them, not just job coaches or parents. Do they want this job? That’s what matters most.
-
Peer Training
If someone wants to move forward, they train with one of our current Sock Wranglers—not HR, not a manager, but a peer. It builds trust, confidence, and connection. There’s no rush. We go at each person’s pace, because we believe people do their best when they’re respected and supported.
-
The Sock Wrangler Test
When someone feels ready, they take the test: pick six orders in 20 minutes or less. It’s simple and reflects the real job. If they pass, they’re in.
We Don’t Hand Out Jobs—We Celebrate Earned Success
Let’s be honest: we don’t hand out jobs. This isn’t charity—it’s business. A mission-driven business, yes. But still a business. And like any workplace, we have standards.
We hold everyone accountable. Because that’s what gives work dignity. You earn your spot, and you know you belong. That’s powerful.
So, What Are the Results?
-
Morale? Sky high.
-
Retention? Excellent, folks don’t leave.
-
Shipping? Same day, every day.
-
Error rate? Just 0.2%.
-
Packages sent? Over 500,000 to 94 countries.
This isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a case study in operational excellence—and inclusion is our secret sauce.
Inclusion Isn’t Altruism. It’s a Smart Business.
We say this in every talk, TEDx or otherwise: hiring people with differing abilities isn’t about being nice. It’s about being smart. It creates loyalty. Builds community. And delivers results.
❤️ Want to Learn More?
We love sharing what we’ve learned and helping others begin their own inclusive hiring journeys. Reach out anytime at service@johnscrazysocks.com, our website johnscrazysocks.com or John and Mark’s personal website: johnandmarkcronin.com.
Because when we all have a chance to shine, amazing things happen.
