Girl, 10, Helps Her Father Run Busy Detroit Restaurant: ‘She’s Always Been Opinionated About Our Food’ Dad Says

Mar. 15, 2025

Presley Davis is part-owner of family business Presley’s Kitchen & Bar in Detroit.Photo:WXYZ Detroit

WXYZ Detroit

One Michigan resident is giving new definition to the term“girl boss.”When 10-year-old Presley Davis isn’t in school, she’s helping her family runPresley’s Kitchen & Barin downtown Detroit.“Presley has always been opinionated about our food, service and ambiance, which has led us to naming this beautiful restaurant after her,” Presley’s dad, Brandon Davis, exclusively told PEOPLE.“When my wife and I, Karissa, are working at our kitchen table, she has started to hop in and offer opinions,” he continued. “Now, when we go to restaurants Presley looks around a little bit at the food, service and ambiance of other restaurants for the good and the bad, also to see what she can bring back to Presley’s.“Brandon explained that Presley has always been eager to help with the family business, starting with their first family-owned restaurant,Novella’s Pizzeria & Bar(named after Presley’s younger sister).“I would go up there early in the morning before anybody else to turn on the ovens, write the prep list and do a little prep,” Brandon told PEOPLE. “She would always beg me to come and help.  Eventually I would bring her with me, have her clean tables and chairs, wipe walls,” he said, adding that he would pay her in homemade cookies.Brandon then recalled the day he began taking his daughter’s interest in the restaurant business seriously. Novella’s was “slammed” after a busy parade.“I was helping in certain areas and Presley started bussing tables, cleaning tables and resetting them, and she actually did a good job!” he continued. “Then, somebody gave her a cash tip and she thought she was rich. That’s when she was HOOKED.”Brandon — who noted that Presley only helps when she doesn’t have school work — said that he and his wife believe helping out at the restaurant is teaching his daughter important lessons for the future.“The best part about her helping is that it is teaching a valuable work ethic — how to follow [directions], follow through and how to do a good job,” he explained.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.When asked about his aspirations for Presley’s future, the restaurant owner said he’s sure that Presley will do anything in life that she wants.“My aspirations for her are to keep using her beautiful brain to think outside the box and do whatever she is passionate about,” he concluded. “She has an entrepreneurial spirit so I can’t picture her in an office or at a desk.”Presley’s Kitchen & Baris located in Hotel David Whitney and specializes in Americana fare, serving cheeseburgers, shrimp po' boy, homemade pumpkin spice pop tarts and more.“We are very proud of the name on the door,” Brandon told ABC AffiliateWXYZ Detroitwhen speaking of his family’s multiple restaurant businesses. “We are proud of the food and what’s served inside it, and so what a way to show that then to have a family name.”

One Michigan resident is giving new definition to the term“girl boss.”

When 10-year-old Presley Davis isn’t in school, she’s helping her family runPresley’s Kitchen & Barin downtown Detroit.

“Presley has always been opinionated about our food, service and ambiance, which has led us to naming this beautiful restaurant after her,” Presley’s dad, Brandon Davis, exclusively told PEOPLE.

“When my wife and I, Karissa, are working at our kitchen table, she has started to hop in and offer opinions,” he continued. “Now, when we go to restaurants Presley looks around a little bit at the food, service and ambiance of other restaurants for the good and the bad, also to see what she can bring back to Presley’s.”

Brandon explained that Presley has always been eager to help with the family business, starting with their first family-owned restaurant,Novella’s Pizzeria & Bar(named after Presley’s younger sister).

“I would go up there early in the morning before anybody else to turn on the ovens, write the prep list and do a little prep,” Brandon told PEOPLE. “She would always beg me to come and help.  Eventually I would bring her with me, have her clean tables and chairs, wipe walls,” he said, adding that he would pay her in homemade cookies.

Brandon then recalled the day he began taking his daughter’s interest in the restaurant business seriously. Novella’s was “slammed” after a busy parade.

“I was helping in certain areas and Presley started bussing tables, cleaning tables and resetting them, and she actually did a good job!” he continued. “Then, somebody gave her a cash tip and she thought she was rich. That’s when she was HOOKED.”

Brandon — who noted that Presley only helps when she doesn’t have school work — said that he and his wife believe helping out at the restaurant is teaching his daughter important lessons for the future.

“The best part about her helping is that it is teaching a valuable work ethic — how to follow [directions], follow through and how to do a good job,” he explained.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When asked about his aspirations for Presley’s future, the restaurant owner said he’s sure that Presley will do anything in life that she wants.

“My aspirations for her are to keep using her beautiful brain to think outside the box and do whatever she is passionate about,” he concluded. “She has an entrepreneurial spirit so I can’t picture her in an office or at a desk.”

Presley’s Kitchen & Baris located in Hotel David Whitney and specializes in Americana fare, serving cheeseburgers, shrimp po' boy, homemade pumpkin spice pop tarts and more.

“We are very proud of the name on the door,” Brandon told ABC AffiliateWXYZ Detroitwhen speaking of his family’s multiple restaurant businesses. “We are proud of the food and what’s served inside it, and so what a way to show that then to have a family name.”

source: people.com