What We Shared with Morgan Stanley's Green Jade Group 

When we spoke with Morgan Stanley's Green Jade Group, we weren't just sharing a business story. We were sharing a story of life, purpose, and transformation, one that starts with a baby born with Down syndrome and grows into the world's largest sock store. 

Because inclusion is not a feel-good trend, it's not charity.  It's  good business. It's smart leadership. It's how we change the world. 

A Difficult Beginning, A New Perspective 

When our son John was born, the doctors didn't say "Congratulations." They said, "I have bad news."  That moment told us everything about the way the world often sees people with disabilities: through a lens of limits and fear. 

John had medical challenges – open heart surgery, intestinal bypass surgery, speech delays – but he also had determination, joy, and the heart of an entrepreneur. 

And when he couldn't find meaningful work after high school, he came to me and said: "Dad, I want to go into business with you." 

From an Idea to a Movement 

We started with what John loved: colorful, fun socks that he said, "Let me be me." Together, we built a small Shopify store and recorded simple Facebook videos. John starred in every one of them.

On our first day, we got 42 orders. Within two weeks, we had shipped 452. We delivered the first ones ourselves:  John hand-packed every box with a thank-you note and Hershey's kisses. 

Since then, we've: 

And we've done it all while building a social enterprise that welds purpose with profit. Because at John's Crazy Socks, we're not really a sock store, the socks become the physical manifestation of our story and mission to spread happiness and show the world what people with differing abilities can do.  

Why This Matters to the Green Jade Group 

The Green Jade Group exists to promote wisdom, harmony, and financial longevity. Their "3 S Philosophy" — Simplify, Support, Steer — reminds clients to make intentional decisions that align with their values and legacy. 

We share that mindset. 

At our core, we're not just building a company. We're building a movement that says people with differing abilities belong at the center of our communities, our workplaces, and our economy. 

And we believe that inclusive hiring isn't just the right thing to do,  it's the smart thing.

Our colleagues with differing abilities: 

They don't slow us down. They power us forward. 

Purpose Pays Off 

Numerous studies,  including those from the Wharton School ofthe University of Pennsylvania and the United Nations, show that businesses with a social mission outperform their peers. Customers are more loyal. Employees are more engaged. Brand equity goes up. 

That's the return on investment of a purpose-driven company. And it's one reason why the work of groups like Green Jade matters so much. Their commitment to long-term wealth planning, legacy building, and philanthropic alignment echoes our belief that money is a tool, a way to create the world you want to live in. 

One More Story 

We ended our talk with a story about Thomas, a young man with autism whose mother called us in desperation. Thomas was isolated, depressed, and hadn't spoken to his father in six months. 

We gave him a chance to work. Today, Thomas is thriving. The young man who wouldn't come out of his room now starts the day showered and shaved and waiting for his father to drive him to work. And the young man who wouldn't look at you or talk to you, goes around the whole building wishing everyone a good morning. A job can be transformative.  

All we did was allow Thomas to earn a job, a job he does so well. And look at the impact it has.  

The Takeaway 

We told the Green Jade Group what we say to every audience: 

Don't be blinded by someone's limitations, be awed by their possibilities. 

Whether you're running a company, advising a family, or building your own legacy, look at  what's possible when we lead with love, inclusion, and purpose. 

We are grateful to the Green Jade Group for inviting us to share our journey. We're honored to walk alongside people and organizations who understand that building wealth and building a better world aren't mutually exclusive; they're beautifully connected.