Lance Jones is no stranger to starting sweet new ventures.
The Tucson real estate executive and entrepreneur has always had his own business in some shape or form, starting with a valet parking company he started in 1986 that is still operating today. A father of two daughters and former manager for AOL, Jones has also owned a few Arizona restaurants, including Jefferson Street Grill in Phoenix.
His latest startup is Trucking Good Cupcakes, a whimsical cupcake truck for which Jones is the chief baker that has found quite a welcome niche at school parties and other festive functions around Tucson, Phoenix and Pinal County. “The cupcake truck was the result of traveling to many larger cities and seeing the many varieties of food trucks,” Jones said. “I never had the intention of getting into the cupcake business, so I said, ‘Ok, let’s give this a try and see what happens.’ I guess it worked.”
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Jones’ cupcake truck is now quite the magnet for sugar-seeking youngsters and older patrons alike. “The nice part of operating a food truck is that most events are really fun events, and the people in attendance are in really good spirits,” he said. “It’s great energy!”
What is your best-selling cupcake?
The Red Velvet (cupcake) and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cupcake. The Reese’s is the “man’s” cupcake. Guys prefer this one 3-1.
What’s your secret to the perfect cupcake?
Trial and error. It takes time to get it right in terms of the right balance and combination of ingredients. Once you’ve got it perfected, it’s a wonderful confectionary to consume every time.
What do you love about baking?
The most enjoyable thing about baking is the time to think and create. There are so many delicious combinations you can create with just a little time on your hands. This is a fun way to let the creativity flow.
Do you have one crazy cupcake recipe that you want to try?
We are going to try to perfect the Red Velvet Ice Cream Cupcake! What better item to have in Arizona in the spring and summer!
What is your favorite thing to bake at home?
A Bailey’s Irish Cream Cake. This surreal combination of Bailey’s Irish Cream and brown sugar makes for a blissful evening of indulgent delights!
Lance Jones at a food truck roundup in February, 2012.
Tara Kirkpatrick is a Tucson-based freelance writer. Contact her at trkirk@comcast.net