To be eligible, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Be at least 18 years of age
Live in the United States
Have a differing ability
The one exception applies to schools and social service agencies that want to sell John’s Crazy Socks within a store they operate as part of their program. If you work at a school or social service interest, reach out to us at jcschampions@johnscrazysocks.com.
We use that term to focus on a person’s strengths. It includes people with intellectual development disabilities (e.g., Down syndrome), neurodiverse people with autism, and people with physical disabilities.
While we are glad to enroll people with Down syndrome, JCS Champions is open to everyone with a differing ability.
No, in fact, we expect most will not be able to do it alone. We expect that most will do it with their family or another support network.
By and large, yes. We are open to consider solo applicants, but we will expect that each JCS Champion will have support and assistance from family or a support network.
APPLICATIONS
We expect applications to be available in August.
Yes. There will be a $50 application fee. Why? We want to make sure the applicants are serious about the program and are able to make a commitment.
We will waive the application fee in hardship cases, so you can contact us at jcschampions@johnscrazysocks.com. However, starting a business will require some funds so we will want to make sure you have some funds available for your business.
TRAINING & EDUCATION
We will provide a comprehensive training program that will include three means of delivering the training:
Online video training: These will be short videos covering specific topics.
Weekly Online Group Sessions: These will be video calls with multiple JCS Champions participating. They will reinforce the video sessions and answer questions.
One-on-One Sessions: There will be one-on-one sessions to answer specific questions that an individual JCS Champion will have.
The JCS Champion as well as key support staff (e.g., family members) for the JCS Champion.
Yes. We offer the training and education program as a service and support. If you do not need or want that training, you can apply to sell our socks like any other retailer. We would love to have you join other retailers in selling our socks. The JCS Champions program is reserved for those individuals who need a boost and guidance and we will provide that to them.
Yes. The training program has a value of $1,500. We are asking enrollees to pay $100 to help defray cost and to signal their commitment.
We will waive the Training and Education fee in hardship cases, so you can contact us at jcschampions@johnscrazysocks.com. However, starting a business will require some funds so we will want to make sure you have some funds available for your business.
PROCESS
Upon completion of the Training and Education Program and the acceptance of your start up plan, we will provide the JCS Champion with a “Business in a Box.” This box will consist of:
An inventory of socks
Selling stands
Signs to go with the socks and selling stands
Marketing materials
The start up inventory will have a value of over 41,000. We will provide that inventory on a special consignment arrangement. If, after one year, the JCS Champion is still participating in the program, we will waive repayment. If the JCS Champion has dropped out of the program, we will ask for payment of the contingency amount which is the wholesale price for the socks.
Yes, you can order more socks to start. You will pay the normal wholesale price for those socks.
Like any business, you can order more socks. You will pay the wholesale price for those socks.
We will tell you the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) as we would any other retailer. YOU can sell the socks for any price you wish, that is your decision. However, we will not provide any socks to those businesses that sell for less than the MSRP.
Yes, you can carry any of the products we offer.
Yes, you are free to carry any products you wish. This is your business.
We allow you and other retailers to sell our socks in any setting except for two:
You cannot sell our socks online through your own website or any social media platform.
You cannot resell our socks to any other retailer or seller.
Except for online or through other retailers, you can sell anywhere. Here are some suggestions:
Craft fairs
Farmer’s Markets
Flea Markets
County Fairs
Special events like road races, walks, and polar plunges
You can set up your own store or set up a stand in another person’s store and sell the socks.
Are you interested in learning more about JCS Champions?
