In our speaking engagements, I have long said that John is a natural entrepreneur. That is far from empty talk. He is fearless and undaunted by challenges. He sees opportunities where others are stuck staring at challenges. He sets a goal and then goes about making it happen. The fact that John has Down syndrome does not hold him back or knock him off course.

The easiest example can be found in John’s Crazy Socks. As John entered his last year of high school, like everyone else, he began to search for what he would do when school ended. Not surprisingly, there were few opportunities for a person with Down syndrome. To John, that was one more reason to lead his own business. He came to me and said, “Let’s start a business.” Equipped with his idea and moxie, John bootstrapped his company into the world’s largest sock store.

What makes John a natural entrepreneur, to paraphrase Shakespeare, let me count the ways.

John sees problems as opportunities.

The easiest example can be found in John’s Crazy Socks. As John entered his last year of high school, like everyone else, he began to search for what he would do when school ended. Not surprisingly, there were few opportunities for a person with Down syndrome. To John, that was one more reason to lead his own business. He came to me and said, “Let’s start a business.” Equipped with his idea and moxie, John bootstrapped his company into the world’s largest sock store.

John focuses on what’s possible.

When faced with a goal, many people will tell you how hard it is or that it can’t be done. Entrepreneurs see what others miss. They don’t look for excuses; they find ways to get things done. John has a head full of ideas, but he is not merely a daydreamer. He is a man of action. He gets things done.

Here’s an example. In January 2017, we were starting out with John’s Crazy Socks. We were looking for ways to connect with customers. That’s when we discovered that people celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (March 21) by wearing crazy socks. (I know you would have thought we knew that before starting a sock company, but we’re not that smart.) In those days, we only sold other people’s socks, so we went looking for a Down syndrome-themed sock only to find that no one made such a product. We were stuck, but not John. He said, “We will make our own.” And he designed the world’s first Down syndrome-themed sock that remains a best-seller.

John doesn’t wait for permission. He creates his own path.

You may know about John’s Crazy Socks, but John displayed his entrepreneurial mindset even as a child. There are other examples. In summer school, he decided the school should put on a talent show. He developed a plan, created some slides on his iPad, and pitched the idea to the principal. Winning her approval, he went classroom to classroom to get the teachers and students on board. The result? A school-wide talent show that wowed everyone who saw it.

From designing socks to speaking on stages across the country, John never asks if the world is ready for him. He shows up. He doesn’t wait for an assignment. He doesn’t ask permission. He takes initiative. He follows his passion and his purpose.

That’s entrepreneurial spirit in its purest form: act first, lead with heart, and invite others to join you.

John leads with gratitude.

At John’s Crazy Socks, we have a mission to spread happiness. John will tell you that the keys to happiness are doing for others and gratitude. John’s life is full of gratitude.

John approaches every day with appreciation for the work we get to do. Whether he’s giving a keynote, greeting customers, or packing orders at our warehouse, he’s fully present and deeply thankful.

That sense of gratitude fuels everything he does because it reminds both of us why the work matters.

John gets knocked down, then gets right back up.

Entrepreneurship isn’t easy. There are hard days, failed attempts, and moments of doubt. But John has a quiet resilience that’s hard to teach. He might get knocked down, but he always gets back up, and he does it with a smile. I think he learned much of that grit from competing in the Special Olympics.

Here’s an example of John’s grit. We had a speaking engagement in Nashville one January. We live in New York, so we booked a flight landing a day in advance. Nashville received some snow, shutting down the city and the airport. We spent two days trying to get a flight out of New York. At one point, we were told there was a flight leaving LaGuardia, but we were actually at JFK. We hopped in an Uber and made a mad dash to catch that last possible flight. When we arrived, we learned that it too was cancelled. We were stuck, defeated.

John saw a way. “We’ll drive to Nashville. We’ll make it a road trip.” When I pointed out how long a drive it would be and how we would arrive just in time to give our speech, he said, “We’d better get started.”

John’s resilience and can-do attitude inspire everyone around him, including me. At John’s Crazy Socks, when we run into a problem, we frequently ask, “What would John do?”

So, what makes a great entrepreneur?

I’ve worked with founders, led teams, and taught entrepreneurship at the university level. But I’ve never met anyone who embodies the entrepreneurial mindset like John.

He doesn’t follow trends; he sets them.

He doesn’t wait to be included; he builds spaces and makes room for everyone.

And he doesn’t talk about changing the world, he just does it.

John is more than a great partner. He’s a model for what’s possible when we stop defining people by their limitations and start seeing them for their potential.

Want to bring John’s entrepreneurial story to your audience?

John and I speak at conferences, corporate events, colleges and universities, and nonprofits across North America. We’d love to share our journey and inspire others to lead with heart, purpose, and inclusion.

Learn more at www.johnandmarkcronin.com or reach out directly to Connie at hello@tcaa.com or call her at  570.906.4395