For the first time ever, a young man with Down’s Syndrome has won the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the New York Region, which marks an important step forward for this endangered population.
John Cronin, 23, co-founder of “John’s Crazy Socks,” and his father, Mark, have won the Ernst and Young award which is considered to be one of the most prestigious business awards in the New York area. The Cronins, who won in the “Mission Driven” category, are also the only father-son team to win among 11 companies total. The Ernst and Young program recognizes entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies for innovation, financial performance, and their impact on the world.
The award was well-deserved. As LiveAction.org reports, the pair went into business in 2016 after John graduated high school and couldn’t find meaningful employment. Known for his crazy socks, he came to his father and suggested that they should go into business together selling crazy socks.
“Well, it seemed like an idea worth trying,” Mark told CNBC. “And that’s what we did. We didn’t go prepare a business plan. We didn’t do a lot of research… let’s get something up and see how people respond.”
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Starting out with only a website and a handful of sock patterns, word quickly spread about the company and it’s Chief Happiness Officer – young John Cronin, who includes a thank you note and candy in every package. Their stock grew to include “awareness” socks for Down Syndrome and Autism, which made them even more unique in the world of e-commerce.
In addition to selling socks, they also make it clear on their website that they’re on a mission to make a difference in a world that has grown alarmingly hostile to persons with disabilities.
“We believe it is not enough simply to sell things; we think it is important to have a mission and to give back,” their website states.
Their hard work and good heart paid off – quickly. In their first year, the company earned $1.7 million and grew more than 300 percent in its second year to earn $5.5 million.
They give back five percent of their earnings to the Special Olympics and other disability organizations. In addition, over half of their employees are persons with disabilities.
“They frequently feature these employees in an effort to show the world what people with disabilities can do, through videos, school tours, work groups, and speaking engagements,” LiveAction reports.
They now offer 2,300 different socks, more than any other sock store in the world, and compete handily with big name outlets like Wal-Mart and Amazon by providing same-day shipping and world-class customer service.
“I’m so excited to win!” John said after receiving the award. “Every day, we want to show the world what is possible when you give someone a chance.”
When asked about being the first person with Down syndrome named an Entrepreneur of the Year winner, John said, “I have Down syndrome, but Down syndrome never holds me back. Look at what people can do, not what they cannot do.”
The abortion rate for Down syndrome babies stands at anywhere from 67 to 85 percent in the United States. It is as high as 90 percent in the UK, 98 percent in Denmark and 100 percent in Iceland.
Persons with disabilities are just as valuable in the eyes of God as the rest of us. Let us pray that all will come to realize their intrinsic worth and welcome these children as the gifts that they are!
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