Andrea Lacy: Strength, Success, and Sweetness

This October, San José State University alumna Andrea Lacy '93 Journalism, celebrates the 30th anniversary of her successful brownie business. Founder and CEO of Luv's Brownies, Lacy began her career as a student at SJSU.

During her very first semester, Lacy baked a batch of brownies as a thank-you gift for a friend who had helped her land her dream job - a position at Hewlett-Packard. However, Lacy noticed while baking that the batter looked unusually thick. Passing it off as her first attempt, she ignored it. Her friend fell in love with her baking skills, and from there, her brownie business was a hit.

As Lacy navigated college life at SJSU, however, she found herself struggling repeatedly in the same math class. Referred to the Accessible Education Center by her academic advisor, Lacy was tested and diagnosed with dyslexia. When baking that first batch of brownies for her friend, she had unknowingly doubled the amount of chocolate the recipe had called for. What had been a minor mistake made due to her dyslexia became the foundation of her iconic Original Heart-Shaped BrownieⓇ and eventually Luv's Brownies.

After her diagnosis, Lacy went on to excel academically - even earning an Outstanding Achievement Award by the university. Her brownie business expanded rapidly, prompting her to leave HP to focus entirely on growing Luv's Brownies.

"The company itself is deeply personal. I named Luv's Brownies after my childhood doll, Luv, and our logo features my childhood handwriting - a reminder that the dreams we have as children can grow into something extraordinary," Lacy says.

Her success didn't come easily, but Lacy finds that a majority of the help she received stems from SJSU and its people. Everyone who had pushed her to be better, everyone who helped promote her brownies - the people of SJSU motivate her to this day.

"San José State transformed my life. I don't think I would have done as well anywhere else. All of those people at SJSU who took time with me, all of those people in my life who helped me sell my brownies - none of them had to do that for me. When I think about those people who have supported me, that is why I want to support others," Lacy says.

Today, Lacy continues to show her pride and gratitude to the university for its impact on her by mentoring current SJSU students. She highlights that challenges like these don't define who you are; they can be gateways for amazing opportunities.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Luv's Brownies during Dyslexia Awareness Month, Lacy will be speaking on her unexpected journey that led her to such sweet success.

This edition of the Spartan Speaker Series: A Double Celebration of Leadership & Resilience is taking place on Monday, October 19 from 6 - 8 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. Lacy will be joined by the co-founder of BayFC Leslie Osborne to share how anyone, whether they have a disability or not, can achieve a lasting legacy.

Register for the Oct. 19 event.