2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Esther Azgomi (Q&A)

Esther Azgomi

Store manager
Farm Boy

How did you get your start in the grocery business?

I started in the grocery business about five and a half years ago. What drew me in right away was the people aspect of it. I’ve always loved connecting with people, supporting teams and creating positive experiences—that’s what made me fall in love with the industry and with Farm Boy.

What intrigues you about the grocery business?

What fascinates me most is how much impact a team can have on people’s everyday lives. Grocery is fast-paced and constantly changing, but at the heart of it, it’s still about people taking care of people.

You have been credited with turning around the Kingston, Ont. store. How did you show the store team you were in the trenches with them?

I made it a priority to always be there for the team in whatever way they needed. Whether it was supporting them during difficult days, helping solve problems or simply being present and listening, I wanted them to know we were in it together. I celebrated every win—even the small ones—and when honest feedback was needed, I gave it with the intention of helping them grow. Over time, that built trust and I believe that trust is what helped us succeed together.

What’s the next “mountain” you’re looking to climb within the Farm Boy organization?

My next goal is to continue growing into a role where I can support multiple teams and stores (director position). What excites me most is helping people grow, building strong cultures and taking what we accomplished in Kingston and sharing that on a bigger scale within the organization.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How did you overcome it?

Turning around a struggling store while also training several brand-new leaders across multiple departments at the same time. It taught me the importance of patience, consistency and investing in people. I focused on building trust, supporting them through challenges and helping them believe in their own potential.

What keeps you motivated at work?

Seeing people grow. Watching someone gain confidence, learn something new or step into leadership is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

What is a fun fact about you?

I’m very competitive when it comes to organizing and efficiency—if there’s a faster or better way to do something in a store, I’ll probably turn it into a personal challenge to figure it out.

Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.