03/09/2026
2015: “Unable to find a job.”
2016: “Unable to find a job.”
2017: “Unable to find a job.”
2018: “Unable to find a job.”
2019: “Unable to find a job.”
2020: “Unable to find a job.”
Six years. Same answer.
Then in 2021, we decided to stop waiting for someone to give us an opportunity.
If the opportunity didn’t exist, we’d create it.
2022: 🧦 Stand Out Socks was born.
My big brother Christian and I started a business built around one simple belief: everyone deserves meaningful, paid employment.
2023: 🐉 Dragons’ Den.
We secured £30,000 investment from Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones.
2024: 👥 We created jobs.
People with Down syndrome who had been told they were “unable to find a job” were now earning a real wage for real work.
2025: 🛒 Tesco.
We took the mission further, creating paid opportunities through our supply chain and proving inclusion can happen throughout a business.
2026: 👑 The King.
Stand Out Socks won a King’s Award for Enterprise.
Then I was invited to meet The King.
But this year isn’t just about meeting The King.
We’re also about to hit 2,500 PAID HOURS delivered by people with learning disabilities.
2,500 hours.
And here’s the bit I’m most proud of:
Not one voluntary hour.
Every hour is paid.
Because this was never about charity.
It’s about opportunity.
From being told “unable to find a job”…
to building a business that creates real, paid work.
Maybe the problem was never the person.
Maybe it was the opportunity.
And we’re only getting started. 🧦
👉 www.standoutsocks.co.uk
BuyOneEmpowerMany
