Like other 21-year-olds, Taylor Cook goes to school and spends time with friends. Unlike other 21-year-olds, she owns and operates an ice cream company.
Cook founded her business, Taylor Belle’s, when she was 15. Now, she has partnerships with five different colleges and several local businesses and restaurants across Kentucky.
“It was just my dream as a little girl, to have my own ice cream business,” Cook said.
Reporting and photos by Michael Clubb | Copy by Rayleigh Deaton
Taylor Cook climbs out of her freezer on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, at The 90 on the University of Kentucky's campus. Once a month, Cook drives to Lexington to defrost the freezer and restock the on-campus location with her latest flavors. Taylor Belle’s also has locations at Eastern Kentucky University, Centre College, Midway University and the University of Louisville.
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Taylor Cook calls her dad and Chief Operation Officer of Taylor Belle’s, John Cook, on her way to Lexington, Kentucky, on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. Taylor’s dad has worked for her as her main business partner for the last month and a half.
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Cook surveys her stock of ice cream in her main freezer at the production facility on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.
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Cook laughs with her ice cream makers Krista Spaulding, left, and Laurie Gonzales, middle, at Taylor Belle’s production facility on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Frankfort, Kentucky.
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Cook meets with representatives of Lexington restaurateur Ouita Michels at Honeywood Restaurant on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Lexington, Kentucky. On the left, Chief Operating Officer at Comrest Management, Douglas Mullins, in the center, Director of Digital Marketing and Social Media for the Ouita Michel Family of Restaurants Tali Schroeder and Director of Culinary for the Ouita Michel Family of Restaurants Tyler McNabb.
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Cook cleans out her freezer, displaying her forearm tattoo, on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, at The 90 on the University of Kentucky's campus in Lexington, Kentucky. “I try to watch church online every Sunday,” Cook said. “Faith is very important to me."
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Cook sits on the steps of one of her ice cream trucks while checking her phone on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Frankfort, Kentucky.
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Cook hands out vendor credentials to her workers ahead of Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Lexington, Kentucky. Most of Cook’s employees are family and friends.
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Cook, right, pushes a Taylor Belle’s cart into position ahead of Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Lexington, Kentucky.
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Cook, right, talks with “Miss Jewel”, left, ahead of Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Lexington, Kentucky.
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Cook multitasks scooping ice cream while on the phone with a worker at the other Taylor Belle’s stand on the other side of Rupp Arena during Big Blue Madness.
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Cook takes a photo for social media of Kate, left, and Claire Adkins holding up Taylor Belle’s ice cream at Rupp Arena during Big Blue Madness.
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Sydney Stark, Taylor Cook’s best friend and worker, serves Taylor Belle’s ice cream at Rupp Arena during Big Blue Madness.
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