John’s Crazy Socks Launches Curated Down Syndrome Super Box

What happened: It was fall of 2016, his last year of high school, that John Cronin’s idea for John’s Crazy Socks was born. Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love for fun, colorful socks, or what he calls his “crazy socks,” turned into a successful father-son enterprise.

Now, John’s Crazy Socks is introducing a Down Syndrome Super Box, curated with 21 items by entrepreneurs with Down syndrome. The box was created to shine a light on these amazing and successful entrepreneurs. John’s Crazy Socks is also donating $2 from the sale of each box to support the work of the National Down Syndrome Society!

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Introducing The Down syndrome Super Box John’s Crazy Socks has introduced a Down syndrome Super Box comprised of 21 items from entrepreneurs with Down syndrome. The Super Box demonstrates the talents and achievements of these business leaders with Down syndrome. Most importantly, the Down Syndrome Super Box will delight customers. The @ndssorg is supporting the Down Syndrome Super Box as part of their program to promote self-advocate businesses. John’s Crazy Socks is donating $2 from the sale of each box to support the work of NDSS. The box includes 21 items from 20 business spanning the United States: @blakessnowshack , #AprilsCottageSoaps @matthewsbonfirebbq @candidlykind @justcharliefrench @dance.happy.designs @doggy_delightsbyallison @dance.happy.designs @furnacehillscoffeeco @furnacehillscoffee @gabisgrounds @haerfestcoffeeroastingco @gdogdelights @hbombties @norulzart @riverbendgallery @somethingextracandles @sososophiola @sparklesbymaxine @specialsparklejewelry @sweetheatjam https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/down-syndrome-super-box #downsyndrome #entrepreneur #dsworks @dssuperbox #spreadinghappiness #johnscrazysocks

A post shared by Johns Crazy Socks (@johnscrazysocks) on Aug 26, 2020 at 6:10am PDT

The Frontlines: The million dollar sock entrepreneur’s father, Mark X. Cronin, wants to see more people with disabilities launch their own businesses. “We want people with [disabilities] to see that entrepreneurship is an option and we want businesses to see the valuable work that people with [disabilities] can perform,” John’s co-founder and father said.

• In 2019, only 3% of people with a disability were employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• In 2019, 32% of workers with a disability were only employed part time
• Employed people with a disability were more likely to be self-employed than those without a disability.

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A Mighty Voice: Our contributor, Adrian Forsythe, shared why people with Down syndrome and other disabilities deserve fair employment and wages. “We, as people with disabilities, have the right to be valued as adults contributing in our communities as those without disabilities. People with disabilities have the right to fight for an equal wage. This is a right we should pursue because people with disabilities are more alike than different. It is unfair that any brother/sister, friend or co-worker is doing the exact same job but receiving a higher pay.” You can submit your first-person story, too.

Add your voice:

Other things to know: With more opportunities and avenues available thanks to social media and e-commerce, more people with Down syndrome are becoming entrepreneurs and launching their own businesses, with support from their families. Here are some of them who are making a difference:

• 20 Companies That Employ People With Down Syndrome
• 12 Businesses Owned by People With Down Syndrome You Can Support
• 27 Coffee Shops That Hire People With Down Syndrome You Can Support

Where to buy: The Down Syndrome Super Box includes 21 items from 20 businesses including: Blake’s Snow Shack, Matthew’s Bonfire BBQ, Candidly Kind, Just Charlie French, Dance Happy Designs, Gracie’s Doggie Delights, H-Bomb Ties, No Rulz, Something Extra Candles, Sophiola, Sparkles By Maxine, and more. This box of goodies is available for a limited time and a limited quantity. You can order yours here.