Gorilla starts life-changing business for those with special needs 

Patrons from Pittsburg and clients that include a fellow Gorilla and the great-grandson of a legendary Gorilla have found a home of sorts at a unique business opened by graduate Lindsay Krumbholz (BS ‘03). 

It was while listening to the concerns of Kansas City-area families whose children have special needs that Krumbholtz realized the need for a new business — one that would give differently-abled individuals a chance for gain employment and to live independently. 

An encounter with a unique coffeeshop on the East Coast and a unique ice cream shop in Texas added to her idea. 

She pitched it to her sister, Amber Schreiber, who has a degree in business, and The Golden Scoop was born. 

It opened in Overland Park, Kansas, in April 2021, and has been gaining traction and media attention ever since. 

Krumbholz serves as director of employment and volunteer management, Schreiber serves as president and CEO, and they employ a director of culinary operations, director of development, managing and events coordinator, merchandising coordinator, and training coordinator.  

But the real stars are the clients who have found their niche making and serving ice cream and coffee drinks to the thousands of customers that come through their doors each month. 

Clients like Ian Miller (BA ‘15), a fellow Gorilla who has cerebral palsy and found it difficult to find a fit anywhere else. At The Golden Scoop, he found it. 

Golden Scoop

Gorillas Ian Miller and Lindsay Krumbholz

The business motto: Every scoop of made-from-scratch ice cream, cup of coffee, or inspired event is carefully designed to bring joy and purpose to the lives of all involved! 

“It’s a way for the community to experience how talented they truly are,” Krumbholz said. “If you’re ever having a bad day, you walk in and when you leave you will have a smile on your face.” 

Among her other clients: the great grandson of legendary coach Carnie Smith, for whom the stadium is named.   

Krumbholz earned her degree in early childhood, with a minor in special education from Pittsburg State, thanks to a professor who made her want to learn more.  

“Since graduating, I’ve done a bit of everything in this field, from serving individuals with autism in elementary through high school, doing in-home therapy, working at a non-profit, working with children birth to three, and then a few years ago my focus turned to young adults and I asked myself, ‘Would they live with their parents forever? Would they have a job?” 

Most of all, she said, she wanted to make a difference. 

“I had no idea this is where it would take me, but it’s where I’m supposed to be, and I’m so excited,” she said.  

 


Learn more: 

Special Education Minor 

Special Education Teaching K-12 

Special Education Advanced Studies in Leadership (EdS) 

Teaching Secondary Special Education (Alternative Licensure) 

The Golden Scoop can be found at @thegoldenscoopkc on social media and www.thegoldenscoop.org