John and Mark Cronin

John Cronin, an entrepreneur with Down syndrome, took to the world stage on March 21 as he spoke at the United Nations for World Down Syndrome Day. John brought his message of inclusion and showing what people with differing abilities can do as he and his partner and father, Mark X. Cronin, served as speakers and moderators during the event, sponsored by the United Nations and Down Syndrome International. John is the founder of John’s Crazy Socks, the world’s largest sock store.

It’s a company with a straightforward mission: Make people happy through socks. The colorful footwear sold by John’s Crazy Socks is certainly unique not only for its designs but also for the person who came up with the company. John Cronin, 21, of Huntington, New York, has Down syndrome — and his company could make as much as a million dollars in revenue before it closes out its first year of business.

In a small warehouse in Melville, New York — a town located on Long Island — dozens of shelves of neatly organized bins hold colorful socks featuring every playful print imaginable. There are socks featuring avocados; socks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s face; socks that look like Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” painting; socks with sloths.

John Cronin, 23, co-founder and "Chief Happiness Officer" of John’s Crazy Socks, just won an Entrepreneur Of The Year award and celebrated his huge achievement on "The Story with Martha MacCallum." He’s the first businessman with Down syndrome to win the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 New York award. “I am,” he exclaimed about his multihyphenate role: entrepreneur, philanthropist, and businessman.

John and Mark Cronin, co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks, spoke at the U.S. State Department today and met with economic development and human rights staff. They addressed issues of entrepreneurism and empowering people with differing abilities. The two men are now part of the speaker’s bureau in the State Department’s International Information Programs. “We want to show the world what is possible when you give someone with a differing ability an opportunity,” said John Cronin.