Forget boring black socks. John’s Crazy Socks is on a mission to make people smile, one wildly colorful pair at a time.
The Huntington, Long Island-based family business, founded by John Cronin and his father, Mark Cronin, in 2016, has grown from a simple father-son idea into a business that has shipped more than 500,000 packages to 94 countries. And according to a recent ABC7 New York feature, the company is proving that its biggest product isn’t actually socks—it’s joy.
The idea started when John was preparing to leave Huntington High School and thinking about what he wanted to do next. Rather than waiting for the perfect job to appear, he told his dad he would create his own job.
The original plan included a food truck. There was just one tiny problem.
“We can’t cook.”
Socks, however, required considerably less culinary talent.
John suggested selling crazy socks because they were colorful, fun and allowed him to express himself. The business launched online, with John starring in homemade Facebook videos and personally delivering some of the earliest orders. Within its first two weeks, the company shipped 452 orders.
Today, the mission goes far beyond novelty footwear.
More than half of the company’s team members have a differing ability, and the Cronins say inclusive employment is central to the business—not charity. The company also says it has donated more than $850,000 to charity partners, including more than $150,000 to Special Olympics New York.
The Huntington storefront has become part retail shop, part community gathering place, with customers reportedly getting hugs, dad jokes and even spontaneous dance parties.
Because sometimes the best way to spread happiness is surprisingly simple:
Put on ridiculous socks.
And then dance.
