2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Evelyn Tumanon (Q&A)

Evelyn Tumanon

Store Leader
Fresh St. Market

When you’re opening a new Fresh St. Market, what is the one “non-negotiable” that must be perfect before the doors open?

When opening a new store, you’re never going to be 100% ready. The most important thing is making sure every department has a strong trainer or support lead on-site to answer questions, guide the team and monitor operations in real time. Staff need to feel supported and confident from day one. Having an experienced expert overseeing each department not only helps the team perform better but also creates a smoother and more positive customer experience.

What’s your “secret sauce” for finding—and keeping—great people when opening a new store?

Hiring can be challenging, which is why I like to personally conduct interviews; you learn so much about each individual beyond what’s on a résumé. I don’t hire based solely on skill set; I look for passion for food, enjoyment in working with people, a positive attitude, strong teamwork and a willingness to learn and grow. I also believe how you treat your staff directly reflects how they will treat your customers, so I make it a priority to support and respect my team to the highest standard.

How did you get your start in the grocery business?

I moved to Canada as a young adult and quickly realized the studies and experience I had back home didn’t carry the same weight here. I had to start from the beginning. I always knew I wanted to work with people and be in a customer-focused environment. I recently moved to Vancouver, and I walked into a neighbourhood grocery store with a "hiring" sign. I started the next day as a cashier and in less than a year, I was managing the front-end department—a role I held for more than three years. Back then, I honestly believed that running a store was a male-centric role. So, becoming an assistant manager, and then a store manager just a year later, was something I never imagined for myself. It’s been an incredible journey, full of growth, challenges and opportunities that shaped who I am today.

What do you like most about your job?

The people. I love meeting individuals from all over the world, learning from them, helping them grow and growing alongside them. I genuinely enjoy working with people and being part of a strong team environment. Seeing others succeed and knowing I played a role in their development is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The most challenging aspect of my job is also what I enjoy the most—people. Managing a team comes with many responsibilities, from hiring and training to coaching and sometimes having difficult conversations. Every individual is different, with their own personalities, work styles and challenges. So, finding the best way to motivate, support and develop each person takes patience. These challenges are also what make the job rewarding. Watching team members gain confidence, develop new skills and grow into leadership roles makes all the effort worthwhile.

What habits or mindsets have helped you stay resilient?

Understanding that challenges and setbacks are part of growth. In retail and leadership, not every day will go as planned, but I’ve learned to stay adaptable, focus on solutions and keep moving forward. I also believe in maintaining a positive attitude and leading by example. No matter how busy or stressful things get, I try to stay calm and supportive for my team because energy and attitude are contagious in the workplace.

What is the best career advice you have received?

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to never stop learning and to never think any job is beneath you. Every role and every experience teach you something valuable if you are willing to learn from it. Starting as a cashier and working my way up taught me the importance of hard work, humility and understanding every aspect of the business. It also reminded me that great leaders are the ones who stay approachable, continue learning and are willing to support their team in any way needed.

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