Meet Antonio Simon | Pastry Chef/Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Antonio Simon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Antonio, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Before I started my business I would cook out of necessity and general interest in trying to make new foods at home. Baking was a hobby that was reserved for sharing with family and friends, all of whom would really enjoy what I had to share with them. It was that way ever since about 2018 before I graduated from Georgia Southern University. A few years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the infectious disease was literally in the air but what was figuratively in the air was the spirit of entrepreneurship. Turning hobbies into businesses seemed to be the thing to do at the time and one day a coworker asked to place an order after I shared a dessert I’d brought to work with me. This was when I decided that what was just a hobby or creative outlet could be something that I could turn into a business.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sweets By Simon is a home bakery run by myself, Antonio Simon. The main products sold by Sweets By Simon are decadent cookies, brownies, and cheesecakes in various flavors and sizes for any occasion whether it be for one person or to share with others. However, there may be certain times throughout the year when an option like sweet potato pie is temporarily available for purchase during the holiday months. If a customer has a request for a custom order of desserts that aren’t listed above then I do work with them on that as well.

I’m most proud of the fact that my customers seem to really enjoy and are impressed by the desserts they get from me. It makes me feel good to know that my work is appreciated by those who support me.

I can’t say that getting to this point was easy. It does take a lot of trial and error to understand what my supporters, as well as I, want from this business and what I have the capability to deliver. After gaining that understanding comes the part of actually acting on that to the best of my ability.

The essential lesson is to consistently try to be better. That’s what I want anyone watching to see about Sweets By Simon in these early stages of operation. That I aim to be the best possible and am actively trying to consistently improve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I could separate it by category, I would start with food and drink. Some of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta that I would love to show to someone who has never been are; Gocha’s Breakfast Bar (my favorite breakfast restaurant in Atlanta), Pricci, Dirty Rascal (both amazing Italian restaurants), Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q. Blue Moon Pizza, and my favorite restaurant that I’ve ever been to, Marcel.

When it comes to just hanging out it seems like there are new areas just for that popping up all over the city. A favorite of mine is Atlantic Station, especially on the weekend. There’s also the Beltline, Chattahoochee Food Works, Ponce City Market, and its rooftop just to name a few. There are also many parks we could go to simply to enjoy the outdoors even if there aren’t any events happening at them.

For live entertainment, I feel that there’s always some musical event or concert to go to. One of my favorite acts to see perform is Atlanta’s own Goodie Mob. I see them maybe twice a year. For sports, we’re lucky to be able to go to any Atlanta sporting event. The energy in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Statefarm Arena, and Truist Park is always a good time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to say that most of my thanks would have to go to my family, specifically my mother and father. If there’s anyone I can depend on to help me with what I need in regards to Sweets By Simon I can count on them.

Website: SweetsBySimon.com

Instagram: instagram.com/SweetsBySimon

Facebook: Facebook.com/SweetsBySimon

Image Credits
The picture of myself was taken by photographer Christian Powell.