Meet Michaela

Michaela started her work with Taco Bell in 2004 as a team member in high school. “[most of my] family worked for Taco Bell, so it was basically a family job,” says Michaela. She’s not kidding! Her mother had run a franchised KFC/Taco Bell for most of her childhood before going to the corporate side in Louisville. Her older brother worked as a team member at the Radcliff location, and Michaela joined the Elizabethtown location and right before her older sister joined her there.

“I did everything a normal 16-year-old would do at their first job,” Michaela says. “I learned a lot about customer service and made a lot of friends.” She later left briefly for college and returned as a shift leader after earning a degree in business. She was then promoted to Assistant. 

“Most of my time with Taco Bell was spent on the management side, but I have held every role at the store level,” Michaela tells us. We believe this experience is part of what makes her an incredible Area Coach. “I have always had a passion for teaching and training. The opportunities given to share my knowledge and understanding of the business have always been a benefit to my success.”

Michaela’s life changed in an instant in 2021, when she was in a coma for a month after getting covid19. She was pregnant, as a result of her in a coma, her baby girl was born prematurely. Southpaw was there throughout my illness, they sent gifts and gave me the support I needed.

Michaela loves her current role because it grants her the freedom to make decisions and try new ways to coach and develop future leaders. She loves the people she works with and enjoys supporting them in their roles and personal growth, which makes her a perfect fit for Southpaw. 

“The opportunities and chances [Southpaw is] willing to take on people shows a lot about the larger picture of the company. The growth opportunities with this company are endless!