Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordon Alexander
Hi Jordon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
“I grew up in Ohio, where my hard work, dedication, and community was rooted in my time as a 4-H member, caring for dairy feeders and pigs for several months out of the year and then showing & selling them at the local county fair every summer. That experience taught me about love, discipline, sweat, and resilience—lessons that would shape my future. But beyond the animals and hard work, I fell in love with the magic of the fair—the midway, the lights, the laughter, the games, the rides, and of course, the fresh-squeezed lemonade that became a staple in my childhood memories.
Fate had a funny way of keeping lemonade in my life. A high school friend’s grandmother helped him enter the food concession business, where he acquired a small lemon-shaped lemonade stand. I worked for him, learned from him, and unknowingly gained valuable experience in an industry that would later change my life. Over time, his small business expanded into a multi-million-dollar concessionaire operation, even evolving into concession trailer design and manufacturing. The knowledge I gained was set aside for years as life took me across the country—from California to Kansas to Florida, back to Ohio, and finally to South Carolina, where I planted new roots.
It was here, as a young, scared cocktail server at the House of Blues, that life handed me my biggest responsibility: becoming a mother. Motherhood has a way of making you dig deep, and that’s exactly what I did. In the early years of raising my daughter, I saw an opportunity—a newly built Myrtle Beach Boardwalk—and I fought for a small business spot despite opposition from larger businesses. As a 23-year-old single mother, I attended city council meetings, spoke in front of officials and cameras, and won. That’s how Luna’s Lemonade, my first fresh-squeezed lemonade pushcart, was born.
Though it was sadly short-lived due to my assigned location challenges and rising costs, it was my first taste of entrepreneurship. I didn’t want to give it up, but it simply didn’t work out. I had to tuck the thought away for a little while. Life shifted again when my now-husband, Chris, offered me a job at his newly opened restaurant. That job turned into a family, a business partnership, and years of success in the restaurant industry. I learned a lot from Chris about restaurant ownership and we built and operated a thriving oceanfront restaurant for nearly a decade, allowing us to buy a home and create a stable life.
But life has a way of testing us. Chris’s father passed away from cancer. Our restaurant suffered a flood that destroyed our location, forcing us to relocate—twice. After years of reinvesting, starting over, and fighting through setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, we ultimately had to close. With no clear path forward, we made the heartbreaking decision to sell our home, downsizing our life into an apartment and facing the terrifying question: “What now?”
Struggle will change you. Struggling while looking into the eyes of your children will REINVENT you.
With nothing left to lose, we dug deep. We revisited everything we had learned through the years- our experience in food, business, customer service, and resilience. In that small apartment living room, Lemons & Dough was born. A fresh-squeezed lemonade and mini donut mobile business, designed to give us freedom, financial stability, and time with our family.
Today, there are and will always be setbacks and hiccups, but Lemons & Dough is thriving. It has taken us to festivals, schools, and high-traffic events across South Carolina, allowing us to build strong community relationships and a loyal following. Our children now work alongside us, where we have witnessed in them the sparks of knowledge & inquisitiveness that we hadn’t even experienced in ourselves until adulthood. They’re learning the carny life, the restaurant life, the entrepreneur life, the money management life, the grit life and the “don’t give up” life. We have really enjoyed it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A smooth road? Not even close. The journey has been paved with setbacks, losses, financial hardships, and moments of pure exhaustion. But looking back, those struggles became the foundation of our resilience.
With the many struggles that I mentioned before came heavy mental struggles. So much self-doubt and self-sabotage.
But struggle breeds creativity. In the darkest moments, we revisited our past experiences—our deep-rooted knowledge in food service, our ability to adapt, and our passion for entrepreneurship. That’s when we took the leap and created Lemons & Dough.
Starting over with a mobile business has its own set of challenges. Long hours, weather, unpredictable event turnouts, and constant problem-solving test us daily. But unlike before, we now have more control. We built something that allows us to spend more time with our family, travel, and create a future that isn’t dependent on landlords, leases, or external factors.
The road isn’t always smooth, but every struggle has led us to something greater. We’ve learned to embrace the unexpected twists, knowing that even when things fall apart, they might just be falling into place.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lemons & Dough?
Lemons & Dough is more than just a mobile food trailer—I think we bring people together with two of life’s simplest yet greatest pleasures: fresh-squeezed lemonade and fresh, made-to-order mini donuts.
We serve ice-cold, fresh-squeezed lemonade with the option to add flavorful syrups, giving a fun and unique twist to a classic favorite. Our mini donuts are made-to-order, then topped with flavors like cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or decadent drizzles. It’s an indulgence that satisfies both nostalgia and the need for something uniquely delicious.
What sets us apart is our experience, our passion, and the way we engage with our customers. We’ve been in the food and beverage industry for years and I think we have perfected the art of not only making great food but also creating an inviting atmosphere wherever we go.
We’ve built a loyal following across South Carolina and beyond at community events and private gatherings. We’re known for our high-quality ingredients, fresh lemons that we purchase from a local family business, premium syrups, and made-to-order donuts. We try our best to always have fast & friendly service – whether there’s a long line or a small crowd, we treat everyone like family.
Our business represents hard work, resilience, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. We are proud that our brand has grown organically through word-of-mouth, repeat customers, and community support. Lemons & Dough isn’t just a business—it’s a passion project that turned into a thriving success. We love what we do, and I hope it shows in every cup of lemonade and every batch of donuts we serve. Whether we’re at a local school event, a massive festival, or a private gathering, we always try to bring quality, joy, and a sense of nostalgia wherever we go.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is growing up participating in 4-H and spending time at the local county fair, where I showed dairy feeders and pigs. It wasn’t just about the competition—it was about the connection I built with my animals and the valuable life lessons I learned along the way. Dedication, hard work, early mornings, sweat, tears, and friendships—these were the foundations of my upbringing.
Living in the country gave me freedom—the freedom to roam, explore, and truly experience childhood. I spent my days outside, learning through hands-on experiences, appreciating nature, and embracing the simple joys of life. It’s something I think about so often and deeply miss.
Now, as a parent, I want to create that same kind of upbringing for my children. They’re getting older so quickly, but I still believe there’s time. We’re trying—trying to give them space to explore, to learn by doing, to appreciate hard work, and to experience life beyond screens and schedules. I know firsthand the impact it can have, and I want them to carry those same lessons and values with them as they grow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Lemons and Dough
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LemonsandDough
