John Cronin and his father, Mark X. Cronin, the co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks, recently spoke to the Long Island Elite, a group of local business leaders committed to making a difference in their communities. The father-son duo delivered a powerful message: a business built with purpose can stand out and thrive.
Mark put it simply: “At the end of the day, we are not a sock store. The socks become the physical manifestation for our story and mission.”
In a room filled with professionals from law, finance, healthcare, and nonprofits, John and Mark shared how they built a company not just to sell socks, but to spread happiness and show what people with differing abilities can achieve. The audience laughed, cheered, and ultimately gave them a standing ovation.
A Business Built on Mission
Mark described the crowded marketplace for socks, joking, “We have counted and there are exactly one gazillion sock businesses. If all we're doing is selling socks, we're sunk. But because we have a mission and purpose, that differentiates us in the marketplace. It helps us stand out and connects us with our customers.”
That mission, to spread happiness, drives every decision at John’s Crazy Socks, from budget planning to how they answer the phones. Even the colors on the office walls reflect that goal.
The business is built on five pillars:
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Inspiration and Hope – Showing what people with differing abilities can do.
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Giving Back – Donating to charity with every sale.
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Fun Products You Can Love – Offering thousands of sock designs that bring joy.
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Make it Personal – Including handwritten notes, candy, and photos in every package.
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Create a Great Place to Work – Especially for people with differing abilities.
Hiring Differently Abled Workers: A Strategic Advantage
More than half of the team at John’s Crazy Socks has a differing ability. John and Mark explained how this isn’t charity, it’s smart business. “We hear from other business owners that they can’t find enough good workers,” said Mark. “Yet we have more than enough applicants because we tap into the vast labor pool represented by people with different abilities.”
These team members are eager to work, dependable, and bring joy to the workplace. John said it best: “My colleagues do such great work. We owe our success to them.”
The results speak for themselves: better morale, higher productivity, and greater retention.
Impact That Lasts
After the talk, several business owners asked how they could start hiring people with differing abilities. Others wanted custom socks made to support the mission.
Audience members shared glowing feedback:
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“You are so authentic. I loved listening to you.”
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“Thank you for your inspirational talk. I am revved up togo and make a difference with my business.”
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“I am amazed with what you haveaccomplished. I love the simple steps you gave us—they help us lift our businesses.”
About Long Island Elite
Founded in 2002, the Long Island Elite is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing business leaders and supporting local charities. Their events foster relationships and empower members to make Long Island a better place to live and work.
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 socks, 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 and the National Down Syndrome Society. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
