The Connector: How Julie Scher Brings People to the Table

• Why is Sticky Fingers Cooking® like a great soup? Because when the ingredients are right, it warms everyone at the table.
• What do great recruiters and great cooks have in common? They both know the magic’s in the prep work.

Before I picked up the phone, I didn’t really know Julie Scher. We’d emailed a couple of times—quick notes between colleagues who live in different states (I’m in Colorado; she’s in California). I’d heard she was warm, a great listener, easy to talk to.

“You’ll like her,” they said. 

They were right.

One of the people who said so was Erin Fletter, CEO and founder of Sticky Fingers Cooking®. She should know—they grew up together in Encinitas and have been friends since high school. Their careers took different paths—Julie pursued recruiting, sales, and marketing; Erin built a national program focused on teaching kids to cook—and now, years later, they find themselves working together, aligned by a shared conviction that food can do more than feed; it can connect.

First, Food

Julie grew up in a close-knit Mexican family where every meal was made from scratch. Frijoles, moles, arroz con leche—each dish was a tradition, made together and shared. “Food has always been part of my family tradition,” she said. “It’s our love language.” Holidays meant tamales—hundreds of them—assembled by hand by the whole family, tiny fingers and seasoned hands working side by side.

Now her daughter carries on the tradition with unbelievable enchiladas, made from the original Gonzales family recipe. 

When Julie left home for college in Northern California, her world expanded—and so did her palate. Through friends, she discovered global cuisines she’d never encountered growing up: spicy Thai noodles, delicate sushi, creamy Indian curries. 

“I wasn’t exposed to other cuisines until I moved away from home,” she said. “After that, I was hooked on travel and global cooking. I love how food brings people and cultures together.”

That sense of connection—though food, through people—has completely shaped Julie’s life and career. 

She's deeply rooted in her community, finding countless ways to volunteer. As a coach and team mom for her kids' sports programs, she’s coordinated fundraisers,  team bonding events, and end-of-season parties, making sure every kid feels included. She’s also the one people turn to for restaurant recs, travel tips, or the right soccer or softball league for a new athlete. In conversation with her “resource” is a word that comes up often—and it fits.

A Career in Matching People with Possibility

Julie’s instinct for connection led her into recruiting during the first wave of Silicon Valley’s tech boom. She thrived on learning what made people tick and matching them with roles that fit their skills as well as their lives. 

“It was the best feeling,” she told me. “Knowing someone was getting a better title, better pay, more responsibility. I could see the impact on their families. And the companies were getting really solid people. Everyone won.” 

Several years later, she joined a luxury travel start-up, where social and environmental awareness was the focus. She curated restorative trips that helped people step outside the everyday grind. The role took her to exciting destinations (a favorite was Isla Mujeres!) designing immersive experiences that blended local culture, volunteering in the community, wellness, and food. Each trip reminded her that connection isn’t just about place—it’s about people. And food, she found, was often the bridge between them.

A New Chapter at Sticky Fingers Cooking®

Today, Julie is the Director of Franchise Development at Sticky Fingers Cooking®, supporting aspiring business owners as they explore bringing scratch cooking and healthy eating to kids through after-school enrichment and camps.

“I still get to do the matching I love,” she said. “But now it’s part of something bigger than business. It’s about the kids learning real skills, families feeling supported, and communities growing stronger. I wish this had been around when my kids were younger. They would’ve loved it. And honestly? So would I.”

No Pitch. Just Possibility.

I asked Julie what she wishes people understood about her work.

“Just talk to me,” she said. “There’s no pressure. I’m not trying to sell anyone on anything. It’s just about seeing if it makes sense—for them and for us.”

And that really is how she operates. She’s just as comfortable gently steering someone toward a different path as she is welcoming them into the Sticky Fingers Cooking® community. 

“Julie is one of the most fun-loving, trustworthy and all-around best humans I’ve ever met!” says Erin Fletter. “She brings her whole heart to every conversation and inspires others to imagine what’s possible—for themselves and the communities they care about. Personally, she’s a total joy to work with and brings  a wealth of experience helping  small businesses grow and thrive. Professionally, we hit the jackpot.”

The Takeaway

What was strikingly clear in my conversation with Julie is that she doesn’t just talk about meaningful work—she lives it. Whether she’s helping someone consider a franchise or reflect on their next chapter, she shows up the same way: curious, grounded, and all in.

One thing’s for sure: if you’re lucky enough to have a conversation with her, you’ll leave thinking more clearly than when you started. Reach out to her here:  Julie@stickyfingerscooking.com ​​​​​​​

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