With a helping heart and commitment to others, Toby Forsberg has a bright future

Toby Forsberg, featured on the cover of this month’s Willamette Valley issue, was born and raised in Oregon. He is a husband, father of two sons ages 5 and 17, and an entrepreneur.

After earning a business degree with an emphasis in marketing, Toby was well equipped to handle all aspects of a business. His first, right out of college, was a wireless/internet reseller which he sold in 2001. He then worked as a marketing executive, first for a credit union and then Clackamas County. When the county restructured Toby returned to his entrepreneurial roots.

As it happened, his sister owned a caregiving company in Coos Bay at the time, and Toby had been helping with his 93-year-old grandmother as the only local family member. While considering his next venture, his sister asked, “Why not caregiving?”

Why not indeed. “When I started the company, it was tough,” Toby says. “I was recently divorced and starting over. Failure was not an option.”

After working diligently and undergoing rigorous licensure, “I hired my first caregiver, and took on my first client.” Things soon took off. In the succeeding years Toby would acquire other companies, growing his business from five offices to 11. Helping Hands Home Care became the largest company of its kind in Oregon.

Toby says he loves employing kind and compassionate people who thrive in the culture he’s created. “I want them to be empathetic with clients and caregivers and all working toward improving lives.” He believes in surrounding himself with positive people and practicing acts of kindness.

Professional changes are again coming for Toby, as he sold his company in June. That’s a story for another day. For now, Toby believes the incoming owners are a perfect fit and share his values.

With his heart, smarts and genuine commitment to others, his future is sure to be bright.