Vice President, Kennedy Book Store, Inc.
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Photo by Mick Jeffries
Carol Behr spent time at the family business, Kennedy Bookstore, Inc., when she was just a child. It was not uncommon for her parents, Joe and Peggy Kennedy, to bring her into the store and put her to work. These days, as vice president of Kennedy Book Store, Behr attributes the simple tasks her parents gave her as the foundation for her strong work ethic.
“From an early age, they taught me the joy and value of hard work,” Behr said.
Initially, Behr put her work ethic to use outside of the family business. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, Behr went on to pursue a career in catering, with a job working for a specialty food store. Her days were filled with endless food preparation, and Behr was surprised to discover it wasn’t the right fit.
“I realized that I would rather be with family and friends on New Year’s Eve,” Behr said, “instead of cooking days and days for people whom I didn’t know.”
Behr decided to leave catering behind. She returned to Lexington to start a family with her husband, Tom. The longtime manager at Kennedy’s had just announced a plan to retire, and Behr made the decision to work at the bookstore she’d grown up in.
One of Behr’s greatest joys was bringing her two boys, Brett and Brian, to the store — just as her parents had done with her.
“Yes, it was partially babysitting,” she said, “but it also helped them see that this is how life is and learn some good work habits.”
Kennedy Bookstore is busy year round, as it deals with two segments of the Lexington population: University of Kentucky students and UK fans.
“We have the best fans in the world,” Behr said. “Every year, people get fired up for football, but there are hardcore volleyball people, hardcore baseball people ... we see it all, and that keeps the job exciting, entertaining and fun.”
Over the years, Behr has helped the bookstore grow, develop and confront challenges. The current challenge Kennedy bookstore faces is online competition.
“There are many places where students can buy their textbooks,” Behr said. “We have responded by having a very robust and accurate Internet site to sell textbooks, and we hope kids will choose that site if they order their books online.”
Whether facing a changing industry or simply managing a career and a home life, Behr believes balance is an important part in making it all work.
“Balance is important,” she said. “You’ve got to learn that you can’t be super mom, super wife, super businesswoman, unless you don’t need a lot of sleep. Otherwise, you’re going to get burned out.”
One way Behr finds balance is through community service. She is a board member for the Downtown Lexington Corp., the treasurer for the South Limestone Association of Merchants and a volunteer for God’s Pantry. She also works as a mentor for the Family Care Center and serves on the personnel committee as an Elder for Second Presbyterian Church.
Behr makes a habit out of surrounding herself with good, supportive people. She is grateful for the support she receives from her co-workers, business associates (attorney, accountant, financial adviser, etc.), family and friends, and she feels she owes much of her success to them.
Of course, the biggest contributors to her success are her parents. Behr said she appreciates all that her parents taught her, beginning with those early days working in the store.
“My father is my hero, and my mother is the sweetest person I know,” Behr said. “They taught me that only you are in charge of your own happiness. And in giving, we get so much more.”