My Career: 'I saw the potential to transform’

Name: Sofia Kalfa

Age: 42

Lives: Macroom

Job title: Managing Partner at Fzin Coffee

Salary bracket: €70,000+

Education background: My education reflects my ion for continuous learning and spans business, leadership, and human behaviour. I hold a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Business from Munster Technological University, a Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Galway, and a Master of Science in Professional Coaching from University College Cork.

I’ve also completed diplomas in Public Speaking, Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and I am a qualified Kaizen Facilitator and instructor.

Hobbies: Spending time with friends, yoga and meditation to centre the mind and body, and volunteering for charities like the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Describe your job in five words: Meaningful, expansive, values-driven, evolving, challenging.

Describe yourself in five words: Resilient, values-driven, curious, purposeful, human.

Personality needed for this kind of work? A clear communicator with the conviction to inspire action, resilience to navigate challenges and drawbacks, and a drive to constantly evolve and add value.

How long are you doing this job? I began shaping the direction of the business in 2022 while still in my corporate role, and I have been working full-time on Fzin Coffee since the second half of 2024.

How did you get this job? So, the short answer is, I created this job. I built the role I wanted, around the change I wanted to see, and that is something anyone can do when they find a mission that matters to them and gives them purpose.

My career path has never been a straight line, but the common thread has always been amplifying my positive impact. 

In my earlier career at Dell and PepsiCo, I worked as a Programme Manager, building teams that could deliver complex change in Global Operations and Global Supply Chain. Later, at Wayfair and CRH, I shifted my focus to Leadership Development, helping top leaders build people-first organisations.

Today, I carry that same commitment into my work with Fzin Coffee, creating positive change for people and the planet we share. Fzin Coffee had existed since 2021 as a traditional coffee supplier, but I saw the potential to transform it into something far more meaningful. I diversified Fzin’s product range with sustainability in mind and expanded distribution channels, setting a clear ambition to eliminate the waste caused by single-use coffee capsules.

I believe that people and businesses in Ireland want to make better choices, and through my work, I help turn that intention into action by offering award-winning coffee that s a cleaner, more sustainable future. I believe that, together, we have the power to eliminate 780 million single-use capsules from landfill. With that belief, I redefined the direction of the business to serve a clear and urgent purpose: to eliminate single-serve waste and empower people to make better everyday choices.

My diverse background gave me the perspective to build this vision and the conviction to anchor Fzin’s mission in my core values, turning purpose into my everyday work.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience?

There isn’t a set path or specific qualification for what I do today. My background in Program Management and Leadership Development taught me how to build teams and lead change, but beyond formal experience, what has truly mattered is the mindset: resilience, curiosity, and the ability to connect with people and bring them with you on the journey.

I needed to become comfortable with uncertainty, learn to hold my nerve, and keep moving forward, even when the road ahead felt unclear. 

When I read Scaling Up Excellence, one message resonated deeply with me: act as if the mess is manageable. That simple mindset shift helped me understand that messiness is not a sign of failure; it is simply part of the process. It gave me permission to be human, to accept the imperfections of the journey (and my own), and to trust that clarity comes with moving forward. This is a path that anyone can create for themselves.

When you find a mission that gives you purpose, you can build anything. All the qualifications you need is choosing to grow every day, and that choice will take you further than any qualification ever could.

Describe a day at work: My work is about building something with lasting impact, not just for Fzin, but for the wider community we are part of. My focus is on strategy, always looking ahead, creating meaningful opportunities, and staying true to our mission of eliminating waste caused by plastic and aluminium coffee capsules. While Fzin now offers over 40 products, my focus has never changed. The heart of our work is our compostable capsule ranges and our mission to eliminate waste from single-use coffee pods. That’s where I direct my energy every day.

A vital part of my role is nurturing relationships and building meaningful alliances. I spend much of my time in conversation with wholesalers, retailers, fellow businesses, and industry partners. I work to inspire both people and businesses to make the switch to compostable solutions, and I actively influence our suppliers to adopt more sustainable practices, such as moving from plastic to glass packaging across our beverage lines.

Beyond the day-to-day of running and growing Fzin, I believe deeply in the role of business as a force for good within our communities. I completed the Friends of Altzheimer Society Ireland training to deepen my understanding of the challenges facing those affected by dementia. Fzin proudly sponsors the Alzheimer Society of Ireland events in Macroom, and I personally attend these gatherings. I make coffee for each attendee using our compostable capsules range.

Whether I am strengthening partnerships, advancing our sustainability goals, or inspiring more people to make better choices, I see my role as building a future where doing the right thing becomes the easiest choice for everyone.

How many hours do you work a week?

40 to 50.

What do you wear to work?

Smart casual.

Is your industry male or female-dominated?

Male-dominated.

Does this affect you in any particular way?

I have never allowed gender to define my experience. I focus on building genuine relationships based on trust, competence, and shared goals. My approach has always been to let my work speak for itself and to focus on the impact I am here to create. If anything, it has strengthened my belief in the importance of representation and leading by example, showing that there is space for all voices at the table.

Is your job stressful? How? Rate it on a scale of 1-10: I would say it is a seven out of 10. The stakes feel high because you care deeply about the outcome. The stress comes from carrying the full weight of responsibility, from strategy to relationships to finances. But, for me, the way through stress has always been to stay anchored in purpose. When you are driven by a mission that matters, the pressure feels less like a burden and more like a privilege. It reminds me that the work I am doing is meaningful and worth every challenge.

Do you work with others or on your own?

While I run the business relatively independently, I am never truly working alone. I collaborate closely with our suppliers, wholesalers, and customers, and I am constantly building relationships with industry partners and communities who share our values.

I see myself as part of a much bigger ecosystem, and working alongside others is essential to bringing Fzin’s mission to life.

When do you plan to retire or give up working?

Maybe once we’ve eliminated every plastic and aluminium capsule on the planet, although knowing me, I’ll just start something new before lunch.

Best bits: Seeing an idea turn into impact, building genuine relationships along the way, connecting with people who share my values, watching Fzin’s mission gain real momentum.

Worst bits: I struggle with feeling overwhelmed when things do not go to plan, when deals do not come to fruition, or when I am too wired from the day’s activities to get meaningful rest. Sometimes I am guilty of de-prioritising personal relationships but I have learned to catch myself and course correct , so there’s still hope.

Advice to those who want your job? Call me for an interview! But truly, my best advice is to start where you are. You do not need to have it all figured out at the beginning. Build the role around your purpose and trust that clarity comes with action.

There are so many networks like Network Cork for female leaders, or the Cork Business Association, and so many others that can help you build the confidence to take your first steps.

Any other comments?

If you are reading this and wondering if you can do it too, the answer is yes. Part of my mission is to help others succeed, so please feel free to connect with me. If you feel inspired by Fzin’s mission, tell your friends!

It’s these small conversations that help shift habits and spark meaningful change. The more we spread the word, the greater the impact we can all have together.