John Cronin, co-founder and inspiration for John’s Crazy Socks, brought a little cheer to the markets today when he rang the closing bell at the NASDAQ. John became the first entrepreneur with Down syndrome to ring the closing bell.

John’s Crazy Socks is a social enterprise that has a mission to spread happiness. John said, “I know these times are uncertain, but I want to bring some happiness to people.”

The NASDAQ invited John and his co-founder and father, Mark X. Cronin, to ring the closing bell as a tribute to World Down Syndrome Day which comes this Saturday, March 21. People wear crazy socks to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and John’s Crazy Socks is pleased to supply many of those socks. The NASDAQ also put John's image and the logo and a video from John's Crazy SOcks on its 7 story billboard in Times Square. 

John, who is Board Member of the National Down Syndrome Society, says, “I have Down syndrome, but Down syndrome never holds me back.”

As a social enterprise, John’s Crazy Socks is committed to showing what people with differing abilities can achieve. More than half their employees have a differing ability. John is the face of the company, but the company’s success comes because so many colleagues with differing ability perform such good work.

The company has a strong Giving Back program that supports organizations working with people with differing abilities. The Company donates 5 percent of its earnings to the Special Olympics and sell Awareness Socks that raise money for charity partners like Autism Speaks, the Autism Society of America and the National Down Syndrome Society. The Company has raised over $325,000 for its charity partners. 

Mark said, “We have to start with great products and great service, but that is not enough. We are committed to a larger mission of showing what is possible. We may be a small business, but all we are trying to do is change the world.”

The father-son team are making an impact. They were named EY Entrepreneurs of the Year, have testified twice before Congress and have spoken at the United Nations. Their speaking engagements have taken them across Canada, the United States and Mexico. 

“I just want to show what people with Down syndrome can do,” said John.

About Nasdaq:

Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Their diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit them on LinkedIn, on Twitter @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com. For press inquiries, you can contact Will Briganti(646) 964-8169 william.briganti@nasdaq.com or Emily Pan(646) 637-3964 emily.pan@nasdaq.com

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 built on four pillars: 

• Inspiration and Hope: We hire people with differing abilities, share videos to show what people can do, host school tours and school groups that come for work experience. We want the world to see what people with differing abilities can do.
• Giving Back: We donate 5 percent of our earnings to the Special Olympics and raise money through our Sock of the Month Club and charity and awareness socks for our charity partners like Autism Speaks, the Autism Society of America, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Williams Syndrome Association. We have raised more than $300,000 for our charity partners and publish a monthly Giving Back Report.
• Socks You Can Love: We have over 2,000 different socks plus a Sock of the Month Club, gift boxes and gift bags. And our selection is matched by our customer service: Most customers receive their socks within two days of ordering.
• Making It Personal: Every package gets a thank-you note from John and some candy.

For more information, 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.