John’s Crazy Socks founders speak at Port Jeff
Village to call March 21 Crazy Sock Day
While a nice pair of socks draws the eyes down to the feet, John and Mark Cronin of John’s Crazy Socks ask that one look up, at the whole person and see what an individual can do, no matter the limits
As part of their ongoing speaking tour, John and Mark Cronin of the Huntington-based John’s Crazy Socks, spoke to members of the Port Jefferson School District Special Education PTA and students April 8 about their inspiring story and the continuing strength of individuals with differing disabilities.
The Huntington father-son duo’s story began back in 2016 when John Cronin, a 22-year-old entrepreneur with Down syndrome, was trying to figure what he wanted to do after he graduated from Huntington High School.
Mark Cronin, John’s father, said together they looked at job programs and a college, but the younger Cronin didn’t see a lot of choices he liked.
“[He’s] a natural entrepreneur — I don’t see something I want to do, so I’ll create it.”
— Mark Cronin
Around that same time, the business the father worked for shut down overnight, leaving him suddenly unemployed.
That’s when the son came up with the idea of going into business with this dad.
“[He’s] a natural entrepreneur — I don’t see something I want to do, so I’ll create it,” the father said.
The 22-year-old entrepreneur went through a few ideas for a business until he ultimately went with crazy socks, stating that he didn’t like the selection he found at stores.
The duo opened John’s Crazy Socks Dec. 9, 2017, and initially were only expecting a few orders. Instead, they were flooded with requests, and people enjoyed the in-person deliveries and the personal card they received with their orders.
“We learned people wanted to buy socks, and buy them from John,” the elder Cronin said.
From there, the company has grown to offering more than 2,300 different styles of socks, and the duo now sells internationally. Last year, they shipped over 144,000 orders, accumulated over $5.5 million in revenue and have raised $280,000 for the company’s charity partners.
The father said their goal is to inspire, show the strengths of people with differing disabilities and their abilities.
“We are showing the brighter side of what people can do,” he said.
Currently the business has 23 employees who have some type of disability, and according to Mark Cronin, every person working for them earns their place through hard work.
“There is no charity here, everyone earns a job,” he added.
Over the years, the pair have advocated for jobs for individuals with disabilities. They have gone to Washington, D.C., and Capitol Hill with a special message. “People are ready and willing to work, let’s make that possible.”
The father and son were in Detroit speaking to the National Down Syndrome Society recently, and earlier last month they went on a tour of Canada with the state department.
Karen Sullivan, president of the Port Jeff SEPTA, was glad the duo was able to come after planning this event for about a year.
“They are employing people with disabilities. It is important for Port Jeff SEPTA, these men and women need jobs after high school and what are they going to do.”
— Karen Sullivan
“We really wanted to bring him into the village and show our students what is possible,” she said. “They are employing people with disabilities. It is important for Port Jeff SEPTA, these men and women need jobs after high school and what are they going to do.”
The duo was also presented with a proclamation from the Village of Port Jeff.
Village trustee Stan Louks presented the Cronins with the proclamation stating that every March 21 in the village will be known as Crazy Sock Day. While he added they did not have anything specific planned for the date, they are working out some kind of celebration that could help bring the community together.
“A great deal has to go to Karen Sullivan,” the trustee said. “SEPTA was not in the village and [it was] inactive — Karen really brought it back to life.”
Sullivan said this is the organization’s one-year anniversary, and for close to 17 years Port Jeff didn’t have a special education PTA.
“It’s very exciting to collaborate with the school district and the village,” she said “Mayor [Margot] Garant has been with us every step of the way.”
