Patrick Stoa
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
VICE-PRESIDENT, macco Financial Group
My interest in personal financial planning and investments started early. Fresh out of college, I had been hired by a big, brown, shipping company as a salesperson for the Green Bay area. (They offered me a job in Green Bay or Baldwin; I didn’t know where Baldwin was, and I was too afraid to ask, so here I am). With a full-time paycheck, but still a part-time lifestyle, I felt truly rich.
Over a few months I paid off the bit of debt I had acquired through college, bought a few dishes and apartment furnishings, and then wondered what to do with the rest of my paycheck. Through the marvels of Late Night Infomercials, I found a local investment seminar. Entirely presented using an overhead projector, I heard useful information on the benefits of starting early, compound interest, the existence of mutual funds, and minimizing taxes. The seed had been planted. I looked for and read every book I could on personal finance. Back then, I had to send self-addressed stamped envelopes to request information and forms from mutual fund companies. I did, and my automatic investment plan started that first year out of college. Personal finance had become my hobby.
I married my wife, Stephanie in 1995 (after dating for far too long, as she will tell you). We started growing a family, and I changed careers from shipping to printing sales. As we had a few kids, hobbies got crowded out, including my personal finance hobby, and we chose to become clients at Macco Financial Group. We were probably not very good clients, since I thought I knew a lot and questioned everything! Still, it worked for us, and I appreciated the advice. Through a combination of my early start with investing, my family’s frugal lifestyle (thanks Steph!), and success in my printing sales career, I am happy to say that I achieved my own financial independence in my mid 40’s.
It would have been both lucrative and easy to coast in my printing sales career…and boring. I urgently wanted to grow personally, to step into a role where I could directly help people in a meaningful and impactful way. The choice to re-launch as a financial advisor was obvious and immediate, and has been more fulfilling than I imagined. I am honored every time a client invites me to help them live the life they deserve and guide them through the detours on the way. I especially value the story, the hopes and fears, the dreams, and the human side of everything. These things become the foundational building blocks of our relationship and your financial plan. I am looking forward to that moment when I can sense that you know your plan can work, and you clearly see what needs to happen to make it work.
Stephanie and I met while at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where I earned a Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Steph and I have six children, ranging from high school to grad school. With just two under the roof, it’s much quieter than years ago. Steph and I enjoy hiking, mountain biking, reading, and spending time with friends. Someday, I would like to hike the Appalachian Trail, while Steph says the Alps would be better.
Favorite Quote: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today. Let’s get started.”
Patrick is Vice President and Co-Owner of Macco Financial Group, Inc. He holds his Series 7, 66, and Life Insurance licenses. He has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
