Laszlo Banyai, American building contractor of Hungarian origin, originally left for Costa Rica for fishing seven and a half years ago. Today, he has three coffee plantations on 18 acres, growing one of the best quality coffee beans, and locals try to sneak peek some backstage secrets.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Gmail

If there are people who can touch anything and it becomes gold, Laszlo Banyai, (American) of Hungarian origin is certainly one of them. He has just retired from the leadership of a successful building contractor company and only wanted to go fishing in Costa Rica… his blood has not let him rest, and he has built another successful empire.

The locksmith from Miskolc sets out to try his luck

The story starts long before in the eastern industrial town, Miskolc, of a small country, Hungary. Laszlo studied at school nr. 115 to become a locksmith and lift mechanic. Then, in 1988, as so many others when borders opened at the fall of state socialism, he went to the United States with his wife to try his luck. He was 31 then.
We settled first in New Jersey. I did not speak good English, so I became a utility worker with a salary of $8 per hour. After three months my salary was already $36. Why? They saw that I understood my job, I was hardworking and they could entrust me with anything; I would do my best, remembered Laszlo.

“This country is about earning for yourself”

After a year, I went to my boss and told him: I can see this country is about earning for yourself. So I go and earn for myself from now on. We remained friends, I trained the person after me. I decided to move near the capital, life is for sure more interesting there. We moved to Leesburg, North Virginia, and I made a pretty little company. We made huge projects, we even worked in the National Historic Museum. My two children have grown up in the meantime, one of them became a psychologist, the other one a design engineer. My son took my position in the company when I retired. After my divorce, nothing kept me in Virginia anymore.

To read the full article, please register by clicking the "Free Registration" link.
Alternatively, if you would like access to exclusive content, membership events, or discounted shopping opportunities, please choose from our paid membership levels.

Newsletter for Insiders Only – And Now, for You Too!

The true essence of luxury isn’t for everyone. Subscribe to our VIP Newsletter for free and gain insider access to exclusive content, in-depth insights, and premium reports from the world of high-end living.