Life and Work with Jessica Emich

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Emich.

So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am one of the triplet sisters. Together, we have walked an amazing journey of sisterhood, healing and business. We grew up in a big Italian family where food was the centerpiece of our lives. We came together in both highs and lows over food. Food has always signified connection for us.

The three of us pursued this passion of connection over food by going to UNLV for Hotel Restaurant Management. Throughout that time, we worked in a restaurant and in Hospitality both individually and at certain times, even together! We saw the power of us working together. We witnessed how each of our strengths in business played well together, and together we thrived.
After UNLV, Jill and I continued to pursue our passion for food by attending the California Culinary Academy in San Fransisco.

As I was living and working in San Fransisco, I quickly fell in love with the fast-paced and creative life of cooking in restaurants. I was hooked!

After school, the three of us decided to move to Boulder and open up our own restaurant called TRILOGY at the age of 24. This was quite the undertaking. The learning curve was HUGE! The space was big. We had a farm to table style restaurant as well as a music and events venue. It quickly became a Boulder hotspot.

We had this restaurant for about 10 years. During this time, I was running the kitchen and working pretty much day and night. I was dedicated to using local food which was not quite as accessible then as it is now. I was back and forth to various farms and I had farmers pulling up in pick up trucks after the farmers markets. I was clear, the only way I wanted to do this business was if it served the community on every level.

During this time, I also started noticing more and more people coming in with food sensitivities and allergies. As a head chef, I felt the need to really understand what was safe and how to accommodate. This was part of the way I wanted to serve the community. It was important to be the food was healthy, healing and delicious.
I decided to get my Masters Degree in Holistic Nutrition.

Getting my degree led to a deepening of my passion for food and how healing it can be. It stoked my desire to be a teacher and advocate for food that heals from the inside out.

At about this time, we had decided to sell Trilogy. It had run its course and we decided to sell while things were still going well. We were ready for a life change. During this time, I taught at Bauman College. I taught Holistic Nutrition and Chef Instruction. I also got married and had my first child, Sofie. Soon to follow was her sister, Amelie

I enjoyed the space from the restaurant, but there was also bubbling up for myself as well as my sisters to create a new space that aligned with who we were at that time. We created SHINE Restaurant. SHINE was about shining from the inside out. The food continues to be local. It also has more of a health-driven mission. We call it Nutritionally Inspired Comfort Food. We also launched our Potions. The intention behind the potions is to have a delicious healthful beverage that also has energetics as part of the experience. With my degree in Nutrition, I had studied herbs extensively and created formulas for each potion using potent herb combinations and organic juices along with, flower essences, gem essences and even sound to attune each beverage to a specific function. They are playful and delicious and they were very well received. SHINE Potions was taking off. It was at this time that we decided to bottle them and sell them at grocery stores.

My passion for serving the community is stronger than ever. Being a mom, entrepreneur and nutritionist has given me a strong foundation and understanding of food and beverage and the role it plays in our lives. My sisters and I are continuing our journey to have SHINE Potions, as well as SHINE Restaurant and Potion Bar, be a vehicle for bringing the community together and feed people food a beverage that is healing, healthful and delicious.

We believe the world more than ever needs connection and community to thrive.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road that I have taken has been far from smooth! But it has been rich with learning and stretching myself. In running a restaurant, there are so many unknowns. There were times of great abundance, and times that were financially challenging. Throughout these times of financial challenges, however, is when we learned how to run an organized and streamlined business. I wouldn’t change this for anything. It made me a stronger businesswoman. I believe that being an entrepreneur means having the ability to be flexible. Things may turn out differently than expected. But I truly believe that if we stay present and open-minded, we grow, evolve and become stronger in these challenges. Owning a restaurant feels very vulnerable at times. You are open to so much feedback and this can be challenging not to take personally. Whether its really good feedback or not so good feedback, it can be easy to get attached. I have learned to yes, hear the feedback but not let it dictate my confidence and joy either way. My work and energy that I put into all things SHINE comes from my heart and that is the most important navigator on my journey.

The business has also at times been very challenging on our sister dynamic. There is nowhere to hide our challenges and sensitivities with each other. The restaurant brings it all to the surface. There have been times where one of us or all of us have wanted to throw in the towel. But we haven’t and that has made our relationship and connection grow beyond measure. There is so much to learn from our closest relationships. For me, my relationship with my sisters has taught me so much about myself and communication and keeping my heart open even in the toughest of times.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with SHINE Restaurant and Potion Bar and SHINE Potions – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I have a passion for taking care of people through food and beverage. At SHINE, we go to great lengths to make our food healthful and delicious. Not only do we source locally and organically we actually soak all of our grains, nuts and seeds for greater absorption. WE are 100% gluten-free and yet we bake delicious breads, desserts and even doughnuts only using high-quality ingredients. And they are delicious! It is not an easy business model to create such high quality and greatly cared for food. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. This care of our environment and food also extends out to our staff and guests. We want it to be a connected experience for both our staff and our guests. WE hire individuals that care about the mission of SHINE. They are committed to creating a caring and enjoyable experience for the guests.

Our beverage company, SHINE Potions is very unique. They are herbal, adaptogenic beverages also use energetics to add to the function of each beverage. WE use flower essences and gem essences as well as sound frequencies to create powerful and playful beverages that can be consumed on their own or as a very unique mixer with spirits.

Guests love coming in and picking their potion and having it be part of their SHINE experience

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
We grew up in a strong Italian family. Our Mom was one of 12 kids. Her mom not only raised 12 children, but she was also a very successful real estate broker. Our Grandmother and Mother have both been amazing inspirations to us. Not only did my mom lovingly raise triplets, but we also have a brother whom is four years older than us. He was born with a degenerative disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy. He has taught all of us the importance of food as medicine, as well as how love heals. We were told he had a life expectancy of 25 years. He is 49 years old today, which his doctors say is because of his direct care from my parents and the role food and wellness has played in his life force. He has been such a teacher for all of us in the way of living life with courage and purpose.

Contact Info:

• Address: SHINE Restaurant and Potion Bar
  2480 Canyon Blvd
  Boulder, CO 80302
• Website: shineboulder.com
• Phone: 3034490120
• Email: jessica@shineboulder.com
• Instagram: @shineboulder @shinepotions
• Facebook: Shine Restaurant and Potion Bar

Image Credit:
David Giraldo (individual photo), Cary Jobe (the three sisters)

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