LI's John's Crazy Socks Announces Inclusive Entrepreneur Award Winners

FARMINGDALE, NY — John’s Crazy Socks announced the first recipients of its 3/21 Inclusive Entrepreneur Award during a two-day celebration of World Down Syndrome Day at its warehouse in Farmingdale, the business announced.

This new annual award recognizes entrepreneurs with Down syndrome who are building businesses, inspiring their communities, and showing the world what’s possible.

"This is a day to celebrate people with Down syndrome and what they can achieve," said John Cronin, co-founder and chief happiness officer at John’s Crazy Socks. "These are incredible entrepreneurs and we want the world to know about them."

John himself has Down syndrome.

His father and co-founder, Mark X. Cronin, added: "These winners demonstrate that entrepreneurship is an option for all. To paraphrase John, they show that Down syndrome never holds them back — it’s their superpower."

The inaugural winners of the 3/21 Inclusive Entrepreneur Award are five "trailblazing individuals who have turned their passions into purpose-driven businesses," the Cronins said:

• Collette Divitto - Collettey’s Cookies: Collette Divitto, founder of Collettey’s Cookies, turned rejection into success. After struggling to find employment, she launched her own cookie company in Boston. Her signature "Amazing Cookie" quickly gained popularity, leading to a business that has sold over 400,000 cookies and employs multiple individuals with disabilities. Divitto now travels the country advocating for employment policies that support people with differing abilities.
• Gabi Angelini - Gabi’s Grounds: Gabi Angelini, founder of Gabi’s Grounds Coffee Shop, created a business to provide jobs for people with disabilities after experiencing employment challenges herself. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Angelini's coffee brand is now available in grocery stores, and she continues to be a fierce advocate for inclusion in the workforce.
• Grace Key - Candidly Kind: Grace Key, founder of Candidly Kind, turned her love for painting and makeup into a thriving brand that promotes light, love, and acceptance. Launched on World Down Syndrome Day 2018, her business creates inspirational designs for t-shirts and other products, all while advocating for economic freedom and fair wages for people with disabilities.
• Blake Pyron - Blake’s Snow Shack Blake Pyron opened Blake’s Snow Shack in Sanger, Texas, in 2015, making him the youngest business owner in his town. His snow cone business has gained national recognition, and he serves as a National Down Syndrome Ambassador, inspiring thousands of people with his message that anything is possible.
• Sean McElwee - Seanese T-Shirts Sean McElwee, founder of Seanese T-Shirts, created a clothing brand that expresses his unique sense of humor and personality. McElwee is well known from the hit show "Born This Way," and his business allows him to share his creativity with the world while advocating for disability employment and inclusion.

Each recipient will receive:

• A personalized award certificate.
• A gift card to John’s Crazy Socks.
• Proclamations from local government officials.
• Featured recognition on the John’s Crazy Socks website, social media channels, and in an upcoming episode of the "Spreading Happiness Podcast" with John and Mark.

The awards were announced as part of the company’s World Down Syndrome Day celebration, which also marked the grand opening of its new warehouse store.

The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, fashion show, dance party, live music, and a sock design contest — all celebrating inclusion, creativity, and community.

"Everything we do at John’s Crazy Socks is about spreading happiness and showing what people with differing abilities can do," Mark Cronin said. "This award is a natural extension of that mission."