Our Story

Stand Out Socks was founded with one mission:

To create meaningful paid jobs for people with Down syndrome.

Our story began with Ross. Like many people with Down syndrome, Ross faced years of rejection despite his enthusiasm, talent and determination. In the UK, there are 1.5 million adults with a learning disability, yet fewer than 5% are in paid employment.

Ross refused to accept that statistic.

Together with his brother Christian, they launched Stand Out Socks in 2021 to prove what is possible when people are given the opportunity to shine.

Today, Stand Out Socks is an award-winning family business designing premium colourful socks from our UK warehouse. We have sold more than 100,000 products worldwide and proudly employ five people with Down syndrome in meaningful paid roles.

Our ambition is simple: to become the UK's largest employer of people with Down syndrome.

Along the way we've been fortunate to receive investment on Dragons' Den, win the King's Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity, and work with organisations including Tesco, Manchester United, Virgin Atlantic and BT.

We've also donated thousands of pairs of socks to charities, food banks and community projects, and have raised over £35,000 for good causes.

But our greatest achievement isn't awards or headlines.

It's creating opportunities.

When you wear Stand Out Socks, you're wearing premium colourful socks creating paid jobs for people with Down syndrome.

And we're only just getting started.