Our Story
While attending San José State University, Andrea (pronounced Aundrea) struggled with algebra and failed the same math class multiple times. Her counselor encouraged her to work with the Disability Resource Center and undergo testing for a learning disability. She was diagnosed with dyslexia.
After her diagnosis, Andrea worked with university administrators to identify alternative courses that could fulfill some of her requirements. This accommodation allowed her to improve her grade point average and continue moving forward toward her degree.
While attending San José State University, Andrea (pronounced Aundrea) baked brownies as a thank-you gift for a classmate who had helped her land a job at her dream company, Hewlett-Packard. She noticed the batter was unusually thick, but baked the brownies anyway.
Years later, after being diagnosed with dyslexia, Andrea revisited the original brownie recipe and realized she had unknowingly transposed the ingredients. What she thought was a mistake became the recipe for the Original Heart-Shaped Brownie®—the very brownie that would eventually become the foundation of Luv’s Brownies.
Andrea believes some of life’s challenges are true blessings in disguise. Her journey at SJSU taught her that a challenge does not have to define your future—it can become part of what makes your future possible.
SJSU later honored Andrea with two awards: Outstanding Academic Achievement and Outstanding Alumni. She will always hold a special place in her heart for the university that changed her life and played an important role in her journey from student to entrepreneur.
Today, Luv’s Brownies is a proud two-time recipient of the “People’s Choice Best Sweet” dessert award at the International Hospitality Convention.
The award-winning online bakery has been featured on several radio stations such as Wake Up with Whoopi Goldberg, local television, national programs such as Good Morning America, The Montel Williams show, acknowledged by Barbara Walters, countless online and print magazines such as Essence, Rachael Ray, Ebony and the cover of Black Enterprise magazine. Read about us in the press
She has been mentoring SJSU students for more than fifteen years. You can also catch her on campus teaching a course in marketing within the Classes Without Quizzes program.
The family run bakery was named after her childhood doll named “Luv” and opened its online store in 1996. Fun fact … Our logo is Andrea’s handwriting when she was three years old.
She created the “Grit Award” to give back to our community and to help make sure that some talented and tenacious young people enjoy the same opportunities she had to attend college and live their dreams. Andrea’s belief is “Never let any challenge stop you from making your dreams a reality”.
A portion of all of our sales goes to the Andrea R. Lacy Scholarship Foundation which is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization located in San Jose, California.