After graduating from George Washington University with a degree in accounting and passing the CPA exam, I thought I had my career all figured out. I imagined starting at a large accounting firm and steadily climbing the ladder. But what I didn’t realize back then was how unpredictable life can be. My journey became a series of surprises and risks, sometimes scary, but ultimately rewarding.

My first job was with a Big 4 accounting firm. For several years, I worked on detailed, repetitive audit tasks. While I learned a lot, I found the work dull and unsatisfying. So, alongside my job, I pursued a part-time MBA in Finance at GWU. My plan was to earn my degree and move to New York City – the city I was born in and always dreamed of living in as an adult.

In 1986, I accepted a role at Credit Suisse First Boston in their back-office accounting operations. It wasn’t glamorous, but I saw it as a foot in the door. I was told it was “impossible” to move from back office to front office, where I wanted to be. About a year later, I responded to an internal posting for a Controller position in the Real Estate Investment and Advisory Department, part of the Investment Banking group in midtown Manhattan. I got the job and finally found myself in the front office – though still in a back-office capacity. I didn’t mind. I reported directly to the Managing Director, who was intimidating to most, but for some reason, he liked me.

Then came “Black Monday” in October 1987, when the stock market crashed. The financial industry was hit hard, and layoffs swept through firms. I expected to be let go, as my boss was going from office to office delivering bad news. When he finally sat down in my office, he said, “Steve, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” I said, “Bill, give me the good news,” unsure of what to expect. He replied, “The good news is you’re not being laid off. The bad news is if you want to keep your job, you need to move to Los Angeles.” My jaw dropped. I loved LA – had friends there, visited often, and always wanted to live in the city. Quitting a good job and moving wasn’t anywhere on my radar, especially with concerns about family and stability. But this was an incredible opportunity – almost like manna from heaven. I told Bill I needed time to think. A few days later, I accepted the move, knowing only that I’d be working on a “troubled” real estate project.

Three months later, I found myself in Los Angeles proving that sometimes life’s biggest opportunities come from unexpected turns. My new role was a steep learning curve. I was put in charge of the historic, recently renovated 700-room Biltmore Hotel downtown, with 650,000 square feet of office space. I had no experience in hotel management or property leasing, and I was given no guidance about what to do. When I arrived, a small team was already working on the project, and I was known to them only as “the guy from New York.” Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly welcomed with open arms. I called Bill in NY, asking what I was supposed to do. He told me to find out where the money was going and figure out how to get the project back on track so First Boston could sell it for a profit. He told me I could hire and fire anyone needed, and that he and another Managing Director would check in weekly and visit LA once a month. I was 28 years old, feeling overwhelmed. I called my parents, who responded with, “You’re smart – surely they see something in you. You’ll figure it out.”

I had to learn fast. I hired a skilled hotel management company, leasing brokers, and a reliable property management team. My role shifted from doing tasks to overseeing strategies, solving problems, and learning as I went. Slowly, the hotel began to come into its own. It was incredibly exciting – the hotel employees referred to me as “The Owner,” even though I was not. That title, however, came with perks – hosting parties in the Presidential suite, meeting celebrities, flying my parents out to visit, having the hotel limo pick them up, and even having a bottle of Krystal delivered to the office at day’s end. It was a total blast. Eventually, we leased most of the office space, and a few years later, sold the entire property to a Japanese investment firm. That was a huge success and deeply gratifying.

But then came a tough decision. Staying with Credit Suisse First Boston meant moving back to New York. I had truly fallen in love with LA – I bought a small home, built a life here, and I didn’t want to leave. So, I decided to stay. I was temporarily unemployed but believed I’d find another opportunity. I took a six-month sabbatical and traveled alone to Europe, an incredible trip that turned out to be exactly what I needed. When I returned, I felt lost. I’d blown through my savings and wasn’t sure what to do next, which started to cause some anxiety.

A few people suggested I try a career in sales. The idea was intriguing, but I didn’t have a clear plan. Then, a friend introduced me to Eleanor, who was running the LA division of a large health and life insurance agency. She was the most charismatic person I’d ever met – fittingly, her name was Eleanor, just like my mother’s. A few weeks later, I took the insurance license exam, and soon enough, I was selling health and life insurance. I have to admit, it felt a bit embarrassing telling my parents – their son the CPA with an MBA – was now an insurance agent. But they were supportive – at least on the surface. I’m sure they had their questions, but they encouraged me.

At first, I told myself, “This is just a temporary gig. A few months, then I’ll have to find a ‘real job’ again.” But something funny happened along the way: I started making sales. I did well, and I noticed others thriving at the agency. More importantly, I fell in love with the lifestyle – the flexibility of working from home, setting my own hours, escaping the traditional office routine. It felt free. Soon, I became a District Sales Leader, mentoring a team of agents, and steadily moved up within the organization. I spent the next 19 years with this company, eventually leaving in 2014 to start my own agency.

Today, I’m proud to say our agency is licensed in all 50 states, with thousands of agents nationwide. We mainly serve seniors – who benefit greatly from personalized, careful guidance – but we also offer all types of health and life insurance. It’s been a fulfilling career. Most of my current focus is on recruiting new agents and expanding our team. I enjoy the work, the connections, and seeing our agency grow. Retirement? Not in my plans – I’m happy to keep going as long as I enjoy it.

On a personal note, my life partner, Greg, and I are celebrating our 30th anniversary in January 2026. It’s truly amazing. Greg is the creative one – he’s a graphic designer, musician, and artist. He produces music books used by piano and guitar teachers, and has even created music for cartoons at Warner Bros. We’ve lived in our home in Studio City for 23 years, full of pets and good times.

My two sisters still live in New Jersey, and I visit the Livingston area a few times a year. Those trips are always special, giving me a chance to reconnect with family and old friends. Recently, I attended Betsy Weiss’s son’s wedding in NYC. I’ve maintained a close friendship with Betsy, and it was an honor to be part of such a milestone. Seeing some of her closest friends “the girls,” all of us from the class of 1977 – was nostalgic. It’s incredible how, after 40 years, it felt like no time had passed and we picked up right where we left off.

Michael, thank you for inviting me to share my story. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best things happen when we’re open to change and unexpected opportunities. If anyone is ever in Los Angeles, I’d love to hear from you at stevenmarcpato@gmail.com. Just yesterday, I had breakfast with an old family friend I hadn’t seen in nearly 50 years – an experience even better than I imagined. Life continues to surprise and fulfill us, especially when we embrace its unpredictable moments.