Holy Shweets!  There are times when you live in a community when you do not realize who may be living next door and I mean that in the best sense.  We are surrounded by so many talented and inspirational people in our community and we are so pleased to introduce you to a hard-working individual who not only resides in Lagoon City but also works hard with her small baking business and is a newly published author.

Last March, I reached out to Monica as I was in dire need of a “lockdown treat” and she was offering St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes.  I ordered her chocolate cupcakes and they were delicious and delivered right to my door in a small bakery box.  Monica Seo not only provides our sweet tooth with her home delivered of tasty treats, she also recently became an author.  We love to get to know the person behind the dream and passion, and we were thrilled to ask Monica a few questions in our Community Spotlight.

When did you move to Lagoon City and what do you love the most about it?

We had come to the Harbour Inn a couple of times as a getaway from our busy lives in Mississauga. We fell in love with the community’s charm and tranquility. We made our move in 2016.

When did you come up with the idea of Holy Shweets and when did you establish it?

I’ve always loved baking. After moving up here it became a hobby and offered baked goodies during holidays. I never thought it would become my business. Over the last couple of years I advertised more during the year and achieved my food handler’s certification.  Once the pandemic hit and I lost my job, I turned my focus on building my business and helping our community by donating desserts for auctions to help raise money for families in need.

Is there a meaning behind the name Holy Shweets?

It was actually my husband that picked the name, “Holy Shweets”. We were tossing around names if I had ever started a baking business. When he said it, we both just began laughing. It was “sassy” and it just stuck with me.

Where did you learn to bake and if you were to pick one item that you bake, which would be your favourite item to bake?

I’ve been baking for as long as I can remember. As a nanny, I would bake with the children and as a foster parent, I taught the kids I lived with and worked to bake, then later getting into the hospitality industry learning about business. Today, I enjoy baking “old school and the way my mother did. If I had a favourite dessert to make, it’s strawberry cream cheese torte. It takes time and a creative touch but the flavour is amazing.

What do you hope your customers gain from ordering from Holy Shweets?

I pride myself on baking from scratch and using only the best ingredients and adding my own twist. I bake in small batches and hope my customers enjoy the fresh taste of homemade.

Recently, you also published your first book, entitled “Adventures of Hop Along” which is available for purchase on amazon.  Congratulations! How long had you been working on this book and where did your inspiration come from?

20+ years ago I was staying with my sister and had fractured my foot and my sister jokingly called me Hop-Along. At that time my nephew and two nieces were quite young and experiencing some growing pains in life. It was getting close to Christmas so I decided to write a magical letter of encouragement to each of them and would put them under their bedroom door late at night. It was signed from Hop-Along. It was originally like an invisible elf with connections to the Easter Bunny and Santa. It went on for 4 years until they were old enough to know the truth.

When I decided to start writing about Hop-Along, it began 2 years ago. I had reinvented my character to be the Easter Bunny that through a series of events requiring determination, perseverance and compassion, he becomes a “secret double agent”. The first book is “Adventures of Hop-Along the Red-Nosed Easter Bunny.”

Can you tell us a little bit about your second e-book that you also recently published?

The second book “Adventures of Hop-Along: A Trip to the North Pole” is a continuum of the first book and is the foundation of how Hop-Along came to be and what is expected of him in the future. This story explores the fun whimsical world of Santa’s busy life and everyone who helps him prepare for that magical night so many children look forward to.

What does Monica like to do in her free time?

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, long road trips exploring new places, and unplugging from everything and just enjoying nature and the lake.

If you had any words of encouragement or advice for someone thinking of opening up their own business or writing a book what would they be?

First and foremost..Do what you love. If you have something you are truly interested in, educate yourself, learn from mistakes and don’t give up. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Make your own path.

We look forward to seeing what Monica will continue to offer our community in the future.  Whether it be more baking or publishing another book, this gal is full of surprises!

Want to keep up to date to see what Monica is baking next?  We welcome you to follow her both on facebook at Holy Shweets and instagram at holyshweets1.  We also encourage you to follow her book journey on instagram at monicaseo7.