YPDaily: Steve Forberg

Steve Forberg is the buyer for one of Canada’s largest independent home furnishing retailers, a role that extends to include daily tasks from advertising to social media. What advice does he have for other young professionals? Find out in today’s YEDaily…

Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
My job in a nutshell as the buyer for Decorium is to provide my customers with the most up-to-date home fashions from around the world at real great values. As well I am responsible for all of the advertising initiatives and means by which we expose our brand. Along with buying and advertising is the running of the day-to-day business along with my brother Howard. There are many facets to a retail operation, such as warehousing, administrative staff, IT support, website maintenance, social media, customer service and delivery staff. I enjoy what I do and really enjoy seeing products that I have purchased get a great response from my clients.

Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I starting working in this business 15 years ago as it was my family business. I had four years of retail experience outside of the furniture business where I worked for the largest sporting goods retailer and learnt a lot about the corporate world. The inspiration to make the decision to get into the family business was quite simple. I was getting married and there was a need in the family business so I decided to make the career change. I also welcomed the challenge to try to improve the family business with some of my new fresh ideas and recent experience in retail at the time.

What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my job day-to-day I would have to say is interacting with the staff members. We have a great team of people that are enthusiastic about their jobs and always have fun interacting with them. The most challenging part of my job is deciding where to advertise, and what to buy for the store. This is always difficult as deciding where to advertise is challenging in itself, and making sure you buy the right items for your customers is as well.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still doing the same thing, however possibly doing more online sales and exploring other possible growth markets. 

What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
In 2011 Home Furnishing business magazine voted Decorium one of the top 23 home furnishing retailers in North America to watch out for. This was very exciting last year. Aside from that, having our products feature at the Toronto International Film Festival where many of the A-listers were sitting.

Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
The advice I have for your professionals is be sure to see Decorium when in the market for home furnishings. Stop running around to multiple stores, we are like five stores in one and one of Canada’s largest independent home furnishing retailers. Everything from bed room to dining room, lighting, area rugs, youth furniture, home office, home theatre, leather furniture, home accents, upholstery, and much, much more. 

Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Yes we support many different charities, such as Baycrest Foundation, Chrons and Colitis, Sick kids Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, United Way, and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. These are all important because we believe in giving back to the community and organizations that need support. This was instilled in me by my father and grandfather, who always believed in giving back.

Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone.