Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Simons.
Hi Audrey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Our favorite childhood treat has always been chocolate dipped cones. Growing up, the only place to get them was Dairy Queen and if you got lucky, you’d find a location that also offered Cherry or Butterscotch dips. After Nathan graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in 2010, he and I brainstormed various directions his career could lead. One of those ideas was of an ice cream shop with lots of different dip flavors and toppings to really create a unique ice cream experience. Though a fun concept, we didn’t take it seriously and Nathan’s career path led him to fine dining. He’s worked at Daniel and Union Square Café in NYC, The Fearrington House Restaurant and [ONE] Restaurant in Chapel Hill, M sushi in Durham, and Herons at The Umstead in Cary. In 2017, we started Simons Says Spread This, an artisanal nut butter company after a trip to Germany reminded us of the incredible selection of nut spreads we’d each experienced while living in Europe. Friends and family encouraged us to turn our hobby into a business and we started selling our spreads in shops and markets around the Triangle. We discovered during the process of trying the butters with different foods that when melted and poured over ice cream, they set, similar to Magic Shell. We started thinking maybe our dipped cone shop idea from years ago could become a reality.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In 2018, we started writing a business plan, searching the Triangle for the right location, and seeking out a business loan and an architect. That process took about a year. In 2019, the location was chosen and the architect began designing the shop, that was originally an empty shell in the bottom of One City Center. There were a multitude of setbacks, especially once 2020 got underway and the banks were less inclined to work with start-ups. Right at the point when the lease had been signed, the architect and GC had all the permits and we were completely ready to start building, the bank pulled out on us. It took a few months to find another bank willing to grant us a business loan, but once we signed with them in January 2021, construction was able to start the following month. We finally opened for business in May 2021. Though there were many speed bumps along the way, we are very grateful that we opened at a time when the pandemic has died down, social distancing and mask mandates are gone, and the public is ready to be out supporting their community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a dipped cone concept. We have Vanilla Custard and Vanilla Non-Dairy soft serve ice creams that can be dipped in any of our 24 Belgian chocolate dips and then topped with 21 different toppings that include both house-made items and popular candies and snacks. The dips are all made in house and range from flavored chocolate to dips made from just nuts or just freeze-dried fruit. And the menu is structured in a way that allows our guests to come up with their own combination. A truly customizable dessert! We are very proud that we are a chef-driven ice cream shop. Nathan’s expertise in Food Science allows us to explore many edible avenues to create fun and unique options to offer our guests.
What does success mean to you?
Innovation, drive, passion, patience, resourcefulness, perseverance, creativity, adaptability, visibility, relatability.
Pricing:
- Cup or Cone Small $4 / Large $5, Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich $5
- Fudge, Caramel, Peanut Butter, or Marshmallow Cores $1 each
- Dips $1 each
- Toppings .50 each
- Stuffed Cookies $5 each, Freeze-Dried Candy $4 each
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: SimonsSaysDipThis.com
- Instagram: @SimonsSaysDipThis
- Facebook: Simons Says Dip This
- Twitter: Simons Says Dip
Image Credits
Photography by Audrey Simons
