Story and photos by Wren Wampler
Following in her sister’s footsteps has always come naturally to Annabelle Cook. Owner and operator of Taylor Belle’s & Burgers, 19-year-old Annabelle is always buzzing around the restaurant with a long to-do list in her back pocket. In her Senior year of high school, she wanted to expand her older sister’s business into a storefront restaurant. The same day she decided, her dad started shopping for locations with her. Taylor Cook started her ice cream business at age 15 via mobile vans and trucks. Her business soared, now available permanently in various locations on University of Kentucky’s Campus. Taylor’s success was backed by her entire family, and Annabelle followed suit.
“I’ve always looked up to my sister,” Annabelle states matter-of-factly. “I just always have.” There’s never been any other option in her mind besides working alongside Taylor. The business started when Annabelle was just 10 years old, and with her whole family working together, she struggled to find a healthy relationship between work and family life. While the balance has evened out with time, her life is still dominated by her work. Her expression of self and personality within every aspect of her job has helped her significantly as she has learned to navigate work and life at such a young age. Overall, she is happy with the busy nature of her life.
An important characteristic of Annabelle’s management is to maintain a family-like bond between her and her employees. “The first thing I tell my employees when I hire them,” Annabelle explains. “is that we treat each other like family.” Even when the kitchen is swamped with a dinner rush and the ice cream bar is fogged with the breath of little kids awaiting their scoops, the employees stay calm and friendly with each other. Sounds of sizzling and frying are drowned out by rapport with customers and balance is maintained. The flow of work in smooth, especially when Annabelle joins her employees behind the counter.
Annabelle has room to learn and grow with her business, and she isn’t worried about being in her sister’s shadow. When working, she’s mistaken by customers for Taylor, despite her name also playing a part in the company title. She turns them down with a smile, introducing herself and making sure her name sticks. With her determination and creativity, she will not allow her identity to be completely amalgamated with her sister. Again, she pushes aside competitiveness and champions individuality balanced in a family business. She has hopes of expanding her store into different states, aware of her unique position as a teenage CEO. She has her whole life ahead of her.