For most of his life, John Cronin completed his outfits with a pair of wild socks. His older brothers often asked dad, Mark Cronin, to curb their little brother's outrageous style. But John simply ignored them.
The 21-year-old Long Island man has Down syndrome. As high school graduation loomed, he began considering what he wanted to do with his future. He knew that he wanted to start a business with his dad but wasn’t sure what type. At first, he thought he wanted to have a “fun” store; though he wasn't sure what he would sell. Then John thought a food truck seemed cool.
“One of the problems, me and my dad, both can’t cook,” John said. “Both of us are good at eating.”
But then John realized that he could turn his love of socks into a business.
“I wanted to do something fun and creative,” he said.
In November 2016, John and Cronin settled on the name of the business, John’s Crazy Socks, and designed a website and logo.
During 2017, John's Crazy Socks pulled in $1.75 million in gross sales, representing 42,710 separate orders. The online store sells 1,500 different kinds of socks, giving shoppers a lot of options from which to choose. Their inventory includes colorful variants of classic shapes including no-show, ankle, crew, knee high, and above the knee socks.
John's Crazy Socks also now employs a dozen full-time staff members, eight of which have some form of diagnosed disability.
HAPPINESS THROUGH SOCKS.
John's Crazy Socks four principles for business success:
1. Inspiration: Showing what’s Possible
2. Giving Back: 5% of earnings donated to the Special Olympics
3. Socks You Can Love: Over 1,2000 awesome socks choices
4. Gratitude: Every package has a thank you note from John and some candy
Other Links:
Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose (book)
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