2025 Forty Under 40: Scott Williams

Co-founder and CEO

Catholic Concepts

While working at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Scott Williams had a habit of wearing “fun” socks on national holidays—doughnut socks on National Doughnut Day and American flag socks on patriotic holidays, for example. On a trip to Chicago, he was talking with his wife, Elisabeth, and had the idea: What if, instead of celebrating national holidays, they put saints on socks and celebrated feast days? They created a design, had it produced, and brought it to the National Catholic Youth Conference. “The response was incredible,” he said. “We sold about a sock a minute and quickly sold out. That’s when we realized we had something special.” His company’s flagship brand is called Sock Religious. “One of our greatest accomplishments has been bringing manufacturing in-house,” he said. “It started as a pipe dream, but the right opportunity came along, and now we proudly hold the title of the only sock manufacturer in the state of Indiana.”

Getting here: Williams spent about 10 years working full time in Catholic Youth Ministry before launching the sock business as a side hustle. The company now has more than 30 employees.

First job: his own mowing business, Williams Lawn Care, which eventually branched into snow plowing

Givebacks: volunteer, the Faith Formation Commission at his parish; board of visitors member, Marian University’s Mission and Ministry

Meaningful moment: Two years ago, Williams and his wife lost their son, Simon Joseph, just a few hours after he was born. “That experience changed my outlook,” he said. “Life felt more fragile, and I came back with an even deeper sense of gratitude—not just for my family, but for the opportunity and joy of being an employer to such an amazing team.”

Lesson learned: “Focus on what I’m great at—and, more importantly, what I’m not.”•

Check out more Forty Under 40 honorees.