SAN JOSE, California — Andrea Lacy believes some challenges are blessings in disguise. Take her brownie recipe, for example.

Years ago while attending San Jose State University, she was baking a thank-you gift for a friend and noticed that the dough was thicker than usual. She baked the batch anyway, and they were a big hit. But when she revisited the brownie recipe, after she was diagnosed with dyslexia, she realized she had transposed some numbers.

Turns out dense chocolate flavor is a good thing.

So in 1996, while working at Hewlett-Packard, Lacy launched her Luv’s Brownies — what then was the first internet-only bakery, she says. Thanks to that recipe and her SEO skills, the venture was an immediate mail order, delivery and catering success.

In 2021, for her 25th anniversary as a baker, Lacy launched a dessert truck to expand her business to farmers markets, gourmet events, private parties and more.

We talked with her this month, her 30th year, about the dessert truck’s broadened appeal and her continued devotion to student scholarships.

Q: How did you manage your dyslexia and become a successful entrepreneur?

A: I struggled with math growing up, which affected my confidence in school. For a long time, I equated difficulty in one subject with overall ability — and that was the real challenge to overcome.

Instead of letting it define me, I focused on my strengths: communication, creativity, big-picture thinking and problem-solving. I learned to build strong teams and surround myself with people who complemented my weaknesses.

Entrepreneurship isn’t about being perfect at everything — it’s about knowing your strengths, being honest about your gaps and creating systems that allow you to execute. Struggling in math taught me resilience and humility, and those qualities have been far more valuable to my success than any single academic skill.

Q: Were you inspired by a family cook?

A: My father and grandmother were amazing cooks. I grew up watching them, but I wasn’t allowed in the kitchen to cook with them. They would let me chop vegetables or clean collard greens. Along the way, I learned a few tips and tricks. I used to watch Julia Child and Jacques Pepin with my grandmother. We watched to understand how they would cook certain food and potentially tweak our existing recipes.

Q: Does that super-chocolatey brownie top the menu?

A: The original heart-shaped brownie is still a best seller. When this brownie is served a la mode — warmed up with premium vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, fresh bananas or strawberries, house-made caramel or chocolate sauce — customers say it is so divine. The original is now available in several flavors, including Brookie, Rocky Road, Peanut Butter S’More and Cafe Cubano Espresso, and in bite-size versions and as a brownie on a stick.

Q: You and your Luv’s Brownies truck made a splash during Super Bowl Week here in the Bay Area. How did you connect with NFL event planners and others?

A: I was accepted into the Super Bowl LX Source Program through the Bay Area Host Committee. The phenomenal program put me in front of decision makers and gave me opportunities that would not have been available to me. That week I catered a private party at PayPal stadium for the New England Patriots, prepared food at the Kehlani concert on Friday and the Dom Dolla concert on Saturday and catered another private party on Super Bowl Sunday.

Q: Where were you and the food truck last year?

A: Twenty-twenty-five was a great year! Besides our regular Thursday appearance at the Gordon Biersch Night Market, we expanded our food truck footprint to Alameda County. We popped up at Tesla, partnered with the City of Hayward, Washington Hospital, Sutter Health, Mills College/Northeastern and Fremont Street Eats.

Q: Who are some of your biggest other clients?

A: My alma mater, San Jose State University. SJSU was my dream school. I knew I wanted to go there when I was in high school. We pop up at football games, cater during Black History Month, graduation, homecoming, department celebrations. I am so proud to be a Spartan.

Q: Why did you decide to add savory items to your dessert Zenu?

A: The menu has expanded over the last five years. I started out with award-winning brownies, Cuban drinks (coffee, blended and mocktail mojito). It’s now a Cuban cafe and dessert truck.

When I started popping up at Valley Medical and Good Samaritan hospitals in San Jose, customers would ask if I had breakfast sandwich or a breakfast burrito. So, I came up with a Cuban breakfast sandwich grilled on a panini press with sourdough bread, ham and Swiss cheese — and I added a heart-shaped egg to stay within the Luv’s brand guidelines.

I added a Cuban sandwich — ham, Swiss, fresh spinach, pickle, Cuban aioli on grilled sourdough — when I started serving lunch and dinner at Tesla and popped up at evening events.

Q: How did the Cuban influence come about?

A: I found out I was adopted. After doing research, I connected with my biological parents. I’m Black, Puerto Rican and Cuban.

Q: What are the new additions to the sweet lineup?

A: Most recently, we were getting a lot of vegans asking for options. During Black History Month, we launched nondairy fruit bowls like Vegan Brownie Dream and Strawberry Banana Bliss. New brownie options include gluten-free and vegan.

Q: You give out Grit Award scholarships. Who are they intended to honor and help?

A: The Grit Award is for students who have shown tenacity in overcoming challenges and who now wish to build on their success by pursuing higher education or vocational training.

A portion of every Luv’s Brownies purchase goes toward the Grit Award. The scholarship foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Applicants should have a track record of community service as well as demonstrated financial need. The scholarship may be used for a four-year university, junior college or vocational school.

Q: Where can fans of brownies and Cuban sandwiches find you this year?

A: Luv’s will be serving at Bay FC and San Jose Earthquakes home games, bringing our signature heart-shaped brownies, Cuban sandwiches and drinks to soccer fans all season long.

We’ll also be participating in San Jose’s SoFA Night Market and Puerto Rican Festival and at Fremont Street Eats — continuing our commitment to serving great food at vibrant community gatherings throughout the region.

For those interested in booking Luv’s for private events, corporate catering, festivals or game-day activations, requests can be submitted at luvsbrownies.com.

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