From Italy to America:
The Legend of
Matteo Peqini
By: Chase Muro
When I interviewed Matteo Peqini, I met a young Italian sales professional whose story already feels like it's moving faster than the stage of life he's in.
He doesn't speak like someone carefully crafting a career narrative.
Instead, he speaks like someone who's already lived through several versions of himself and is still discovering which parts have stayed.
The first place his story goes isn't Italy. It's Camas High School in Washington, where he spent a year as an exchange student.
Even years later, he doesn't hesitate when describing that experience.
"I still see it as the best year of my life. It gave me a totally new perspective on how I view the world."
That year did far more than broaden his horizons. It reshaped the way he saw himself.
"It gave me a lot more self-confidence... I was doing things I couldn't even believe I could do at that age."
Listening to him, it feels like there is a clear "before" and "after." Something permanent was installed during that year abroad.
Then he returned home.
Instead of building on everything he had gained, he walked straight into the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was horrible... I came back with so many ideas, such a big attitude, but I was stuck at home."
The momentum disappeared overnight. What should have been a season of growth became one of isolation.
He doesn't dramatize it.
"It was really, really hard. I went to therapy after that."
After experiencing the freedom and independence of life in the United States, Italy's lockdowns felt even heavier.
Today, Matteo works in industrial sales, a career that's far more dynamic than most people imagine.
"I sell everything there is in a factory... production lines, storage systems, and all the machinery you need."
It's an industry built on manufacturing, logistics, engineering, and relationships. His job requires understanding both people and highly technical systems while connecting businesses with the equipment they need to operate.
His company works with numerous suppliers across multiple industries, placing him at the center of a constantly changing environment. Every day brings a new challenge, a new customer, and a new opportunity to learn.
The pace reflects that reality.
During training, he receives a base salary with commissions layered on top, but the defining feature of the job isn't compensation. It's movement.
He travels throughout northern Italy, visiting cities like Turin and Bologna, meeting with manufacturers and clients almost every day.
As he puts it:
"The good part is you are always moving. The bad part is you are always moving."
For Matteo, that's part of what makes the job exciting. Instead of sitting behind a desk, he's constantly meeting new people, seeing different businesses, and gaining firsthand insight into how industries operate across Italy.
His schedule often includes multiple client visits each day, adding up to forty or more company visits every month.
"I see so many different realities... and talk to so many different people every week."
That exposure has become one of the greatest benefits of the role. Every conversation teaches him something new, and every company offers a different perspective.
When I ask if the pace ever becomes exhausting, he smiles before answering:
"No, because I'm always moving."
We both laugh.
But even that answer comes with perspective.
He enjoys what he does. He simply recognizes that meaningful work often comes with long days, constant travel, and plenty of energy spent along the way.
For Matteo, the rewards of meeting people, solving problems, and experiencing industries across northern Italy make the pace worthwhile.
Looking back, it's impossible not to see how his exchange year continues to shape him.
The confidence he developed, the ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations, and the languages he learned have all become advantages in his professional life.
"Speaking English definitely helps me... and understanding Portuguese and Spanish also helps communication."
For Matteo, language isn't just about words.
It's about building trust, creating connections, and feeling comfortable wherever the next meeting takes him.
As our conversation came to an end, I asked him for one final piece of advice.
He didn't need time to think.
"Don't go too fast."
It wasn't delivered like a motivational quote.
It sounded more like something life had already taught him.
For someone whose career requires constant travel, endless conversations, and a relentless schedule, those four words carry unusual weight.
Matteo Peqini's story isn't about having everything figured out.
It's about learning that growth isn't measured only by how quickly life moves, but by knowing when to slow down enough to appreciate where you've been and where you're going.
Thank you, Matteo, for sharing your story. Che Dio ti benedica.