Simplifying supply chain complexity for the mid-market | Co-Founder @ Planster | RevOps & Salesforce Architect | Helping CPG brands bridge the gap between spreadsheets and enterprise scale
The trajectory of a career is rarely a straight line; it is a series of pivots, lessons, and calculated risks. For Collin Toyn, CEO and Co-Founder of Planster, the path to building cutting-edge supply chain solutions began far from the world of SaaS architecture. It began in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of a local pizza shop—a humble training ground that taught him more about leadership than any textbook could.
The Value of Hard Work
Growing up in Salt Lake City, Utah, Toyn learned early on that success is rarely handed out. His first professional experience—making pizzas at Papa Murphy’s for $6.25 an hour—became a defining chapter in his work ethic. For four years, he embraced the grind, learning the nuances of team dynamics and the necessity of showing up for one another.
“Learning to work well with the people around you isn’t a soft skill; it’s the whole game,” Toyn reflects. This philosophy formed the core of his career. Later, as an economics student at the University of Utah, he channeled this perspective into his studies, eventually transitioning into the world of tech startups. There, he found his calling: building internal tools that empowered teams to move faster and work more intelligently.
The Operator’s Insight
Toyn’s career is defined by a unique dual perspective. As the Founder of ForceExperts, he spent years deep in the trenches of Salesforce consulting, mastering revenue operations and CRM implementation. He watched businesses struggle with complexity—the kind that hampers growth when companies outgrow basic spreadsheets but cannot yet justify massive, enterprise-grade software.
This gap was not just a business problem; it was a frustration he witnessed daily. It became the catalyst for Planster. By combining his deep-seated operational expertise with a vision for scalable technology, Toyn began building a platform specifically for mid-market CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) brands. His goal was simple: provide the clarity that businesses need to forecast sales and optimize inventory without the heavy overhead of legacy systems.
Shaping the Future of CPG
Today, as CEO of Planster, Toyn is at the forefront of supply chain innovation. Under his leadership, the platform has partnered with early customers to improve forecasting accuracy by 30%, a testament to his commitment to solving real, tangible business challenges.
His approach is rooted in an unwavering bias toward action. Regarding the current climate for entrepreneurs and innovators, he offers a candid directive to the next generation: “Stop waiting for permission. The tools available right now are insane compared to even five years ago. You can build real things, reach real people, and create real leverage faster than any generation before you.”
The Path Forward
As Planster moves through a critical seed-raising phase, Toyn remains driven by the same principle that guided him from his early pizza-making days: the courage to take the shot. He frequently cites Wayne Gretzky’s famous mantra—“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”—as his guiding star. For Toyn, entrepreneurship is not about the illusion of progress; it is about shipping a product, securing a customer, and iterating on the results.
His legacy is being built on the intersection of technical architecture and human-centric operations. By simplifying the complexities of supply chain management, he is not just building a software company; he is empowering brands to scale with confidence, proving that the most impactful solutions are often the ones that remove the friction from growth.
Editorial Note
Collin Toyn’s journey from operations consultant to visionary founder serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is built on experience, not just titles. His career demonstrates that deep, “in-the-trenches” knowledge is the most valuable asset an entrepreneur can possess. Whether you are building a SaaS platform or leading a team in a different field, Toyn’s approach offers a clear takeaway: stop waiting for the perfect moment or for someone to give you the green light. Identify the real-world problems facing your industry, build a solution that provides immediate utility, and never stop iterating. Are you ready to take your own shot?
