John Cronin, co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, graduated from Huntington High School and has a deep love and appreciation for his alma mater. He showed his gratitude by returning to Huntington High School to speak to students in the entrepreneurial program.
“What I learned at Huntington High School made it possible for me to start John’s Crazy Socks,” said John Cronin. “I loved my teachers, the aides, and my fellow students. I am proud to say that we have Huntington High School graduates working with me at John’s Crazy Socks.”
Speaking at his Old High School
John and his co-founder and father, Mark X. Cronin, are frequent keynote speakers and have spoken to students and colleges and universities across the country including Hofstra, Rutgers, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Stanford, Holy Cross and many more. Yet there is something special for John about returning to his high school.
“Walking through the halls brought back so many memories. And I saw so many people I knew like Mr. Wilson, Ms. Biaggi, Dr. Murphy-Jessen and Ms. Klee, my speech teacher.”
John’s first public speaking experience came at the 2013 Huntington High School graduation ceremony when he introduced his friend and the class valedictorian, Todd Colvin. John worked for many weeks with Ms. Klee to learn his speech. Now, John is a sought-after speaker and has spoken before 5,000 people at a Microsoft conference, 3,000 attendees at an EY Town Hall and 22,000 people at Madison Square Garden.
Speaking to Business Students
“We love speaking with entrepreneurs as that is our tribe,” said Mark X. Cronin. “We especially relish speaking with student entrepreneurs as we offer encouragement and examples of how they can find success.”
The father-son team captured the undivided attention of the students as they shared the story of how John came up with the idea to start John’s Crazy Socks and what they did to get the business off the ground. They also spoke about creating a business with a purpose and how that makes their organization resilient and contributes to their success.
In telling John’s stories, the speakers challenged the students not to accept any limits or obstacles. They spoke of how John was born with Down syndrome, the many medical challenges he faced and the assumption that he would not be able to do much with his life.
John has gone on to prove the doubters wrong. He is a proud product of a Huntington High School education who has founded the world’s largest sock store, testified twice before the U.S. Congress, spoken at the United Nations, given two TEDx talks, appeared on every major TV network and been named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year.
John said, “I have Down syndrome and Down syndrome never holds me back.”
Business Teacher Paige Furman, who invited John and Mark to speak said, “What an unbelievable, powerful, and motivating presentation. My students and I were in awe!”
Huntington High School and John’s Crazy Socks
John and his business maintain a close relationship with Huntington High School. A group of students from the Huntington High School special education class come each week to gain some work experience and to see how they can find jobs in the future.
Andrew Neter, a Huntington grad, manages the warehouse and fulfillment process for John’s Crazy Socks and carries the title Lord of the Socks. He was recently named a 30-Under-30 Rising Professional Star. Mr. Neter accompanied John and Mark so he could also visit his old high school.
Andrew Oh, one of John’s classmates at Huntington High School, is the longest-tenured employee at John’s Crazy Socks, having joined the venture in January 2017.
The two Andrews are essential to the success of John’s Crazy Socks.
Keynote and Event Speakers
John and Mark X. Cronin are frequent speakers at conferences and corporate events. They share their entrepreneurial story of how a young man with Down syndrome together with his father created what is today the world’s largest sock store with a mission to spread happiness. Their speaking engagements bring laughter, tears and inspire people to see what is possible for each of us to achieve. They have spoken in person at events across Canada, the United States and Mexico and at virtual events around the world. They have spoken at events for Microsoft, EY, Bank of America, the Special Olympics, and the National Down Syndrome Society, among others.
Their advocacy work has seen the Cronins testify twice before Congress and speak at the United Nations on two occasions. Their work has been featured on many national news shows. They are winners of many awards including the EY Entrepreneurs of the Year. They serve on the CEO Commission for Disability Employment and the Neurodiversity at Work Business Roundtable.
John and Mark recorded their second TEDx Talk entitled, “Hiring People with People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It Is Good Business.” That talk is available on YouTube and the TED platform. Their first TEDx Talk entitled Differently Abled People Want to Help Us is also available on YouTube and the TED platform.
If you would like John and Mark to speak at your event, please visit the speaker’s pages at our website or contact Maria Lerner at MLerner@johnscrazysocks.com.
About John’s Crazy Socks
John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. With more than 4,000 socks, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $650,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account, TikTok or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
