Meet Annabelle Shin | Owner/Love Producer

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

Hi Annabelle, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
One of my favorite quotes for both life and business has been one by Helen Keller, “Defeat is simply a signal to press onward.” I discovered the quote on a coaster at Beth Gruitch’s restaurant, “Ultreia,” in Union Station. At that time, I was facing many challenges in my personal life, and also complex questions of where I wanted to go next in my career, after having made the move from New York City to Denver. When the bartender put my drink down on the coaster, I noticed the quote, literally staring me down from underneath the glass- I took it as a sign. We all go through multiple struggles in life, and especially, after a year like 2020, many people are finding it difficult to get beyond what they perceive as “failure.” This quote reminds me to never take “No” for an answer, and to keep pushing, for if we do not move forward, we gain nothing…especially apt in business.

What should our readers know about your business?
I whole-heartedly believe that pets bring unquantifiable joy to their human partners’ lives. In this spirit, I wanted to create a product that would infuse our pets’ lives with nutrition and longevity. PRESERVE, Frozen Superfood Lovebites, are the perfect way to supplement pets’ diets with superfoods, disguised as treats. What sets us apart are many factors: we try and source as many of the ingredients locally in order to support CO suppliers. So, for instance, all our goat milk comes from small dairies in Northern Colorado. Secondly, we keep our product unpasteurized, versus other frozen pet products that utilize “high pressure pasteurization,” which cooks out all the gorgeous pre & pro biotics & nutrients of the milk. Third, research has shown that pets derive their nutrients most effectively (bioavailability) from whole foods, and so we take a holistic approach to the foods we develop for our pets. Lastly, we have a limited ingredient list which is completely transparent, and do not use any fillers, binders or preservatives. Basically, there’s nothing in our treats/toppers that is useless nutritionally and calorically. This is “Premium Functional Nutrition” for your pets, meant to supplement their existing daily diets.
This isn’t my first rodeo in terms of starting up a small business, I had an accessories design company, when I lived in LA and was working in my old career, fashion. Before I moved to Denver, I had a wholesale baking business, where we produced artisinal baked goods with cross-cultural takes on iconic sweets, such as gourmet cookies. The principles of developing a new product line are generally the same across different industries, but I had to do a ton of research on pet nutrition, pet digestive systems, pet health, superfood ingredients, and most importantly, pet food manufacturing regulations.
Although it hasn’t been easy trying to turn the tide in the way in which and how we feed our pets, it’s my mission to, “change the way our pets eat, one Frozen Superfood Lovebite at a time.” The number one lesson I’ve learned along the way is Patience. The New Yorker in me wants everything to grow and move quicker than what I am able to produce/run. However, I have found rapid growth is not a sustainable business strategy for what we do. My focus is on growing the brand locally, first in Denver & Boulder, then the rest of the state, then the region.
The main things I want the world to know about our story is that, as a former pet owner with two special needs rescues, Sunny and Breeze, they inspired me to always prioritize their health and nutrition. Through many years of research, my belief is that if you feed your pet clean, nutrient-dense whole foods, based on their ancestral diet, the reverberating benefits lasts years and adds to a great quality of life for pets, and, therefore, their owners.

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?
First, it would be a trip to see live music at any of the amazing music venues we have. My favorites include Red Rocks, the Ogden, the Gothic, Mission Ballroom, Larimer Lounge. Next it would be hiking anywhere near the Aspen area, Maroon Bells in the fall to see the aspens firing golden, ending with a dip in a lake or hot springs. Rino is always a great stroll with its street art, food, and people watching. I have a deep appreciation of the decorative arts, and the Kirkland Museum has an incredible collection of important works from many different eras. Architecturally, I love the Clyfford Still, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Source Hotel. Biking through cities on the many great bike paths is a great way to spend the day getting exercise, and fueling up at various restaurants and breweries. As a former pastry chef, food and drink are inextricably linked to my life/business. I believe the best food in Colorado is in Aurora, South & North Federal Streets, and East Colfax: so culturally diverse and rich! I don’t have a favorite restaurant so far, but standouts include Tavernetta, Matsuhisa, Daughter Thai, Safta, Super Mega Bien, Savory Vietnam, Seoul BBQ, Mizuna, Yuan Wonton, Ginger Pig. Favorite bars: Williams & Graham, Forget Me Not, Death & Co, Noble Riot, Sunday Vinyl, the Family Jones, Fort Greene, and Bar Max. Favorite place I’ve been in CO so far: Great Sand Dunes during the Perseid meteor showers….incredible! I spent hours on the dunes watching the sky going off, and then later in the parking lot, a small elk heard walked not more than 10 from me.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to the person who has been a wellspring of love and support through the many up and downs of launching a new small business is my dear friend, the artist, Christine Nguyen (IG: @seasmoonshe). I met her by chance perusing a pop up of her amazing artwork and we’ve been “sisters” ever since.

Second, I’d love to shoutout my friend Susan Jenkins (IG: @cycleupjewelryplus), for all her support, encouragement, but more so, for setting the example on living more sustainably.

I’d also like to shoutout to RMMFI (Rocky Mountain Microfinance Institute) and b:side capital (formerly, CO Lending Source), for all the business knowledge, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Lastly, the shoutout that is most heartfelt is my family: Dad, Mom, Win, Lloyd, and Yvette.

Website: www.preservelovebites.com

Instagram: @preserve_frozenlovebites

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelleshin

Facebook: @PreserveFrozenLovebites

Image Credits
@cityparkfarmersmarket