What’s it like to be successful? As a woman who built a thriving business from scratch so others could achieve their dreams, I’m considered a success in many ways. But success has never been about titles for me. It’s about creating something that makes life better for real families.

When I launched Sticky Fingers Cooking® in 2011, my definition of success was simple and personal: build a program that served kids — especially kids like my daughter Ava, who lives with Type 1 Diabetes and other medical complexities that make food a daily balancing act. I wanted every child to feel safe, included, and confident in cooking and trying new foods.

I also needed to earn a living without being away from my three girls. That was success to me: meaningful work, accessible to all, managed from my kitchen table with a powerful focus on impact. One tiny idea, now a full recipe for change.

As the number of after-school enrichment cooking classes grew from three to dozens and dozens in Colorado, I saw the need for a technology solution and began building the Dash with an expert. The company expanded to two more states, and success looked more like expansion and becoming an employer. 

‍

Becoming an Education Franchise for All

Once I started to network in the local business community, I learned more about franchising and in 2023 sold the first franchises–to two former employees who brie-lieved in our mission. Now success started to look different because in franchising, it was no longer about just me. This is now our success together with the franchisor HQ team, and as a community of Sticky Fingers Cooking® locations across the country, not about what I’m doing or how successful I am individually. 

As 2025 comes to a close, and there are 14 franchise owners and 20 territories in 10 states, I feel proud of what this company means to so many, not just me personally. Our collective success is about how each child feels when leaving their class after learning a new skill or trying a food for the first time; our success is creating a franchise owner network that thrives; our success is sustainable growth in the future. 

Next Steps: Cooking Up Success Together

In 2025, I had many proud moments with the Sticky Fingers Cooking team:

I received an award as one of ColoradoBiz Magazine’s Top Women in Colorado Business! You can read the ColoradoBiz article here. 

Sticky Fingers Cooking® has been mentioned in local and national media more than ever! You can read about us in AARP, Eating Well, All Recipes, Franchising World, and other top-tier publications. Explore our other podcast appearances and TV appearances here. 

We heard from so many people with enthusiasm for what we are doing and who wanted to see if their passions, professional experience, and interests were a fit with the Sticky Fingers Cooking® franchise opportunity. 

At this point in the life of Sticky Fingers Cooking®, I think success might look like YOU! As we are pear-fectly poised to connect with people about our proven model of success, the necessary investment, and what it takes to elevate a local franchise business, it’s time to grow together!

One thing we added this year was this quiz, “The Franchisee Self-Assessment,” so you can explore if we’re two peas in a pod. 

Wishing you happy and healthy cooking–whether in the kitchen or with your career!