At John’s Crazy Socks, we are more than just a sock company; we are a mission-driven social enterprise committed to spreading happiness and demonstrating what people with differing abilities can achieve. From the very beginning, our commitment to inclusion has been at the heart of everything we do.
Founded in 2016 by John Cronin, a man with Down syndrome, and his father, Mark X. Cronin, John’s Crazy Socks has always been a place where people with differing abilities shine. Our first employees were some of John’s classmates. Together, John and Mark have built a business that thrives because of our inclusive workforce, not despite it. We have created 34 jobs, 22 of which are held by people with differing abilities. This isn’t charity; it’s smart business.
“Hiring people with differing abilities is not altruism, it is good business,” says Mark X. Cronin. “We focus on what people can do, not what they can’t do.” Mark explains that often people with disability e not even considered for a job even if they could excel in that position.
Mark will tell you, “Never be blinded by a person’s limitations, be awed by their possibilities.”
John Cronin, who is not only our co-founder but also a role model for our team, often shares his enthusiasm about the impact of inclusion. “I love working with my colleagues in our warehouse,” says John. “They work so hard and do such a good job. We’re showing the world what we can do!”
Hiring People with Differing Abilities Creates a Competitive Advantage
In the eight years that we have operated or pick and pack warehouse, we have recruited form three different labor pools: people with differing abilities, Moms (There are some dads in their too) and general workers who want a starting wage of $16.50 per hour.
“By far, the best labor pool for us are people with differing abilities. They want to be here. They are enthusiastic, dedicated and work so hard.”
When others cannot fill all their job openings, we have a surplus of ready employees.
Mark is quick to pint out that John’s Crazy Socks does not lower its standards. “We don’t give out jobs; everyone working here has earned that job.”
The results? We do same day shipping and our error rate is less than .2 of one percent.
John says, “We do better shipping than Amazon and Jeff Bezos doesn’t put a thank you note and candy in his packages like I do.”
The Business Case for Inclusion
Our experience has demonstrated that hiring people with differing abilities leads to remarkable results:
- Better Morale: Our inclusive workplace fosters a sense of purpose and camaraderie that lifts the spirits of our entire team.
- Higher Productivity: When people feel valued and empowered, they give their best effort, and that reflects in our operations.
- Greater Retention: Our employees stay with us longer, reducing turnover and the associated costs.
- Enhanced Recruitment: Our mission-driven approach attracts passionate employees and loyal customers who want to be part of something meaningful.
This impact goes beyond our walls. By embracing inclusion, we’ve built a community of employees, customers, and partners who share our vision of a better, more accepting world.
Gratitude to Our Customers
None of this would be possible without our customers. Every pair of socks you buy enables us to create jobs for people with differing abilities. You are the reason we can spread happiness and show the world what’s possible. We are deeply grateful for your support and belief in our mission.
“Thank you for buying our socks and helping us create jobs for my friends,” says John. “You make me so happy!”
A Call to Action
Our story is proof that businesses can succeed while making a difference. We encourage other companies to follow suit. Inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. If you want help hiring people with differing abilities, reach out to us and John and Mark can help you achieve similar success.
If you’re inspired by our mission, we invite you to continue supporting us by shopping at John’s Crazy Socks. When you do, you help us create jobs for people with differing abilities. Together, we can create more opportunities, spread more happiness, and change the world.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account, TikTok or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
