Sonia Marroquin contemplated naming her ice cream shop the Golden Spoon or Golden Scoop.

She also seriously considered investing in a franchise. The shop she envisioned had its own vibe so Marroquin decided to go to school instead – the ice cream school. This wasn’t Marroquin’s first trip to school. She earned her undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at San Antonio before gaining acceptance into the highly competitive occupational therapy master’s program at Texas Tech University.

Marroquin was inspired by an uncle who was a quadriplegic. She selected a career that seemed to have chosen her. Since 2009, Marroquin has been self-employed, making house calls to provide occupational therapy. 

“It’s what my passion has been,” Marroquin said, “working with children with special needs and educating their parents.”

These children served as the primary motivation for Marroquin to open a new business. She attended ice cream schools in Idaho and Missouri. She saw the importance of investing in premium machines, perfecting recipes, and learning how to incorporate air into the production of ice cream to reach the optimal texture and flavor. 

Marroquin already had a clear vision of her mission: “To make great ice cream, to provide great customer service and to be an example for others by being a disability-friendly employer.”

Being Inclusive

The children she has served over the past 15 years motivated Marroquin to learn how to make handcrafted ice cream, sprinkle in kindness and create an environment where employees of different abilities work together to create a truly golden experience.

Marroquin dropped “Spoon” and “Scoop” from her potential business names. Instead, she chose “Golden.” The west wall of Golden Ice Cream at McAllen’s Uptown Plaza reads, “THE GOLDEN RULE” and includes the Matthew 7:12 Bible verse which says: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Golden Ice Cream officially opened June 29. Seven days a week, Marroquin and her Golden Team serve up 16 flavors of ice cream with nine optional toppings along with handcrafted, dipped waffle bowls and cones. Several friends have also helped her perfect her business model. Deborah Tomai, whose son has Down syndrome, told Marroquin, “We want inclusion. We want our children working with people of all abilities.” 

Marroquin also turned to Evelyn Cano and Esmer Leal from the Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV regarding specialized training. 

“They told me Workforce (Texas Workforce Commission) provides job coaches who come in and work with employees with disabilities on specific activities,” she said. “It’s a service provided by the state.” 

Giving Is Golden

The Golden Team also teaches each other and Marroquin is learning right along with them. 

There are simple things like not everyone holds the scoop the same way and acceptance seems to come naturally to most young people. Customers will likely notice the absence of a tip jar or a tip line on the credit/debit receipt they sign. That, too, is Golden. 

 “I want to show my team how important it is to be a giver,” Marroquin said. “We have a job because people are coming to us.” 

Golden has a “Blessings Bag” for those insistent on leaving a tip. That money is set aside to provide a person, a family or a group with a Golden blessing.

Marroquin is grateful for the support of her husband and three sons in working to start a new business. She is excited to see her business grow and spreading the message that “everyone is capable … and wants to feel valued and part of a community.” 

The scariest thing about opening a business is “just taking the leap,” she said. Marroquin credits her family and friends for helping her get through “those moments of fear.” The best thing about owning a business is having customers who feel safe and comfortable coming to Golden Ice Cream, she said. She especially values families from her occupational therapy practice who are now Golden Ice Cream customers. 

Golden Ice Cream hosts special event nights sponsored by other local businesses and caterers. At Golden’s grand opening on July 29, the Disability Chamber recognized Marroquin and her Golden Team for their commitment to a workplace where everyone thrives.

Stay Golden is her store’s branding line.

“It’s a reminder to be kind to others and to be true to yourself,” Marroquin said.