Women In Charge: Meet the visionary behind Sophron Consulting, Cole Francis

The first time I heard of Cole Francis, it’s from my colleague Tracy. She can’t put into words who Cole is exactly; and 48 hours later, I see why...

It’s a beautiful day in the Mother City when I meet Cole at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa. She’s bare-faced, wearing a white suit, effortlessly gorgeous; this is her everyday look. And she unapologetically lives life on her own terms.

“I’m on a rebranding journey; 2024’s really about refining my creative philosophy,” she says.

Cole’s evolution is compelling and inspiring. “I embarked on a law degree,” she reveals, “but didn’t complete it as my already-demanding career required my full attention.” She then delved into the academic realms of economics and politics, but found herself continually drawn to real-world, tangible pursuits. “During high school, I self-studied my A-levels while interning at both a prestigious fashion house and a management consulting firm.”

This balancing act exemplifies her relentless drive and adaptability. Fast forward to 2018, when she co-founded a consulting firm (she has since ventured out on her own). “We initially offered business optimisation services across industries, until I found my niche in hospitality and tourism in 2021. I’m passionate about elevating this sector in South Africa. We’re blessed with an incomparable wealth of culinary talent, extraordinary natural landscapes and exceptional local produce.”

Sophron Consulting provides optimised business strategies and striking, well-executed culinary and experiential concepts. Partner selection is very important. “My journey to where I am now has not been as elegant or as straightforward as I would have liked; it has often been punctuated by impulsive business deals and poorly-aligned collaborations. ‘A’ players don’t want to play with ‘B’ players. This is true in every high-stakes arena in life, from a football team to a fine-dining restaurant kitchen. I maintain a consistent professional standard in my own life, but also only surround myself with people who take the same painstaking level of pride.”

Cole is intentional. What inspires her? “As Rick Owens says, no matter how restrained you are, your style will always present subtle signifiers of what your values are. At the root of everything I do is essentialism. Axel Vervoordt is my biggest creative influence. Nothing that he creates ever deviates from his trademark visual language and philosophy, over a career that spans decades. Glossy, trendy, overly-beautified items have never appealed to me. I prefer substance and soul—old walls in heritage buildings, period pieces over new. Items transformed by time.

“My creative approach is about distilling a concept or idea down to its most crystallised essence and then finding a way to present it to other people, allowing its purest form to be truly appreciated. This applies to all elements of my life and creative direction: cuisine, fashion, design, the way I run my home.”

A new facet of Cole Francis emerges: she’s a devoted mother to a vibrant four- year-old. I ask her how she navigates. “For the first two years of my daughter’s life, I was intensely focused on solidifying the strides I’d made in my career,” she admits. “But since then, I’ve crafted what I believe to be an exceptional model for being a content and effective working parent.” The secret? Flexibility and structure. “I am very fortunate to have the luxury of flexibility. When possible, my daughter accompanies me to work engagements after school hours; it’s an extraordinary bonding opportunity.”

But Cole also firmly believes in self- care. “I strictly carve out ‘me-time’. Once she’s in bed at 8pm I dedicate that time to meditation, socialising and working out.” Cole’s work-life balance is a dynamic blend of career dedication, personal fulfilment and motherhood. She aspires to be a living example to her daughter.

I’m curious about her early decision to venture into politics. “I’m deeply invested in the people of South Africa, and our progress. I know I could be doing more, and my thirties are going to be geared towards unparalleled impact in this pursuit. I’m in the process of setting up two foundations centred around youth development and this is the project I feel most fulfilled by.”

Inspired, I ask where our audience can find her—and no surprises, she has no social media presence. “I don’t do anything for the gallery. I think today, when everything is so heavily commodified, everyone thinks in terms of brand and how they can position themselves rather than what they are at their core, in the real world. When I’m not working I focus on enjoying life and being present. Inaccessibility is a luxury.”

And she offers some parting words of wisdom: “Every time you enter a room, there you will find an opportunity to make a significant impact.”