My life was shaped by movement until one day I realized I was ready for something different: roots.
I’ve lived many lives before becoming a real estate agent. I was a plumber, a college instructor, and a government worker, just to name a few. Real estate came into my life when I was hired by the St. Regis in New York to direct marketing for their fractional ownership development. I spent three years there—I achieved my goals, received awards, and felt like things couldn’t be better. Then 2008 happened, and the housing market collapsed.
The economy hit hospitality hard and I was laid off. I took a three-month sabbatical through Mexico and Guatemala trying to learn Spanish and taking the time and space to think. When I returned to New York in 2009, I decided to get my real estate license. I was ready to be grounded, and New York was my home.
Before New York, though, my life had been shaped by travel. It began after high school, when I worked as a plumber in new construction for a friend’s business in California. In my early twenties, I craved something different, so I moved to the Alaskan Arctic, just for the adventure.
After 14 months on the Arctic coast, I moved to Anchorage to begin my first year of college studies, then transferred to the University of Colorado and earned my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design.
It was an eye-opening experience! My time in Alaska involved working in a Native village where hunting and sharing food—seal, walrus, whale, caribou—was part of daily life. The kindness, hospitality, and sense of looking out for one another deeply touched me. It inspired me to keep exploring the world.
I backpacked for seven months through Southeast Asia, then moved to Hawaii to pursue a master’s degree in Travel Industry Management. Hawaii felt like a bridge to Asia, a place I loved. I began applying for jobs in Asia and the Pacific and soon found myself teaching Tourism and Business at Northern Marianas College on the island of Saipan.
After one semester, I knew teaching in that setting wasn’t the right fit. My students were at very different levels in the same class, and I didn’t feel I was contributing in a meaningful way. But that chapter led to something unexpected. I became friends with the marine technology faculty, who needed support. I was an experienced diver, and I embraced the opportunity. I joined their team, and together with the local government and community, we developed a coral reef monitoring program that is still in place today. Knowing I helped create something meaningful meant a great deal to me.
That work opened the door to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, where I was hired by the state to oversee tourism marketing and help craft a broader vision for the state. Eventually, I was recruited by the private industry to lead marketing initiatives for hotels and resorts throughout Hawaii and French Polynesia, and create and coordinate partnership and loyalty initiatives. The corporate headquarters were in New York, which meant frequent trips there. Over time, I found myself thinking about New York and slowly saying goodbye to Hawaii.
As much as I loved island life, it began to feel small. I wanted to meet new people and have a new adventure—an urban one. And what better place than New York City to immerse myself in a different kind of jungle?
Real estate has grounded me here. After all the movement, it gave me roots. Real estate is meaningful work—work that matters. Helping people achieve their dreams of homeownership feels like the natural culmination of everything I’ve done before: building, designing, teaching, protecting, guiding, and creating value. In many ways, all those past lives led me to exactly where I am now.
With 17 years of experience as a real estate agent, I approach my work with precision and care. I thoroughly research each property, analyze comparable listings, and gather relevant market data so I can provide advice grounded in reality—not wishful thinking. My deep understanding of the buying and selling process is a major asset to my clients. I’m a proactive communicator who keeps my clients informed every step of the way. I also believe part of my responsibility is being willing to have the tough conversations—sharing honest guidance, even when it may differ from what a client initially wants to hear. While the final decision is always theirs, I clearly explain the risks and offer my professional recommendation on the best path forward.
I do more than open doors; I provide options, solutions, and perspective built on years of hands-on experience. My background in construction and design allows me to see a property’s potential, and my marketing expertise ensures maximum exposure. I also work alongside a trusted team of mortgage brokers, bankers, and attorneys to ensure a smooth transaction from start to finish.
Sincerely,
Bill Bone
