Tuesday Giveaway: CupcakeStop

Fittingly, this week's spotlight is on one of the participating bakeries for Cupcakes for a Cause Week. CupcakeStop began as a food truck in 2009 after Lev Ekster found himself fresh out of law school and facing a suffering legal job market. But rather than let his circumstances hinder his entrepreneurial spirit, Ekster took an unexpected turn and soon found himself launching NYC's first mobile gourmet cupcake shoppe. "I created the CupcakeStop Truck because I thought it'd be a more affordable way to get my business off the ground," Ekster says. "It was also a great way to get a lot of exposure and bring our cupcakes to the people rather than wait for them to come to me."

His business model was a hit in a city where instant gratification and convenience is key. Today, more than 14,300 people follow their tweets to see where the CupcakeStop Truck will turn up next in the hopes of grabbing a quick treat during a break. (I stalked them earlier this year and tasted their yummy Drunken Raisin cupcake. So good.) Within a year, the business has grown to two trucks, a retail location in the Limelight Marketplace and another bakery in Montclair, New Jersey that each serve their handmade, made-from-scratch delights. Their flavor menu is extensive with 49 available year-round and 16 seasonal flavors.

Luckily, in their success they've still set time and money aside to pay it forward. "We do a lot of charity work and this is our second year participating in Cupcakes for a Cause," Ekster says. "If it's a cause we feel strongly about, as we do with this one, we participate full force." And what can be sweeter than doing good by eating cupcakes?

This week, one of you will win your choice from their dozen cupcakes selection. To enter, leave a comment below AND send me an e-Cupcake to dorkysramos[at]gmail.com. Cupcakes for a Cause presenting sponsor Göt2b will donate $1 for each one sent. If the name attached to your e-mail address differs from the one you comment with, please let me know so you can be included in the draw. This giveaway can only be shipped within the United States and a random winner will be announced next week Friday. Good luck!

CONGRATULATIONS: TheCuttingEtch is this week's winner! A big thanks to everyone who sent in such lovely e-cupcakes :)

Image: store.cupcakestop.com