Children born with Down Syndrome often face unique difficulties throughout their lives.
For those who don’t know, Down Syndrome is a relatively common chromosomal disorder affecting roughly one in every 700 babies. Although the disorder comes in a wide variety of forms, though it is typically associated with a number of genetic hardships—some of these can include growth delays and mild to moderate cognitive disabilities. Still, society has a lot of misconceptions about people with Downs and how capable they are of living productive, happy lives.
In Long Island, New York, one father and son are proving just how true that is.
Together with his dad Mark X Cronin, 21-year-old John Cronin co-founded John’s Crazy Socks, an online sock company.
It all started when John graduated high school and was brainstorming with his dad about what kind of business venture the two could start together. After throwing around a few ideas—a novelty “fun” store, a food truck—the two settled on selling socks. John had been a sock enthusiast his entire life and wanted to share his passion with the world. Although most new businesses fail, John and Mark were enormously successful.
In their first year, the father-son duo made $1.4 million selling more than 1,500 different kinds of socks.
For his part, John takes a very hands-on approach to business and customer service.
With every order, John sends his customers candies and personal thank you notes. Whenever customers live on Long Island, John even delivers the packages himself. Although John and Mark are the owners of John’s Crazy Socks, their business has a total of 12 full-time staff members, eight of whom have disabilities. In an effort to give back and to help disabled people have a greater role in society, the business also donates five percent of its profits to the Special Olympics.
John even designs some of the socks himself!
All told, the Cronins hope that their business can be evidence that Down Syndrome doesn’t have to stop anyone from living a full life.
Their story has gotten coverage from many major networks including BBC Two, Time and The Today Show. After seeing the relationship between John and Mark, it’s not hard to see why the pair have been so successful. “We both are absolutely committed to the vision we have,” Mark says. For his part, John wants to be an example to other people like him:
“It is possible. I have Down Syndrome and it never holds me back.”
Congratulations to the Cronins on their incredible success!
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