K Trevor Thompson is a real estate investor and active syndicator based in Austin, Texas. After a long career in attractions and entertainment—including Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Guinness World Records, and iFly Indoor Skydiving—he transitioned into multifamily real estate in 2018. Since then, Trevor has invested in 34 syndications (20 as a limited partner and 14 as a general partner) and is on a mission to help 100,000 people invest in commercial real estate to achieve financial independence.

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Key Takeaways

• Why starting as a limited partner (LP) can provide invaluable perspective before becoming a general partner (GP).

• How transparency and communication from operators builds trust—and what happens when it doesn't.

• Lessons Trevor learned from losing $75,000 on his first GP deal.

• The importance of vetting the "who" in syndications, not just the numbers.

• Why compounding is critical: leverage makes you money, but compounding makes you wealthy.

Topics

From Attractions to Real Estate

• Spent decades in the attractions industry before entering real estate.

• Always wanted to invest but mistakenly thought commercial real estate was only for millionaires.

Starting as a Passive Investor

• Began as an LP while working full-time and traveling extensively.

• Learned what investors value most: responsiveness, transparency, and consistent communication.

Lessons from Early Deals

• Experienced the downside of poor operator communication during a property fire.

• Gained conviction that the operator's character and competence are more important than deal marketing.

Transition to GP

• Moved into the GP role after running out of personal capital.

• Lost $75,000 on his first GP deal, a setback that taught him discipline and risk awareness.

• Found traction by joining Massive Capital and leveraging the power of a strong, diverse team.

The Importance of the "Who"

• Syndications succeed or fail based on the people leading them.

• Trevor emphasizes building partnerships with operators who think long-term and act with integrity.

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Round of Insights

Failure that set Trevor up for success: Losing $75,000 on his first GP deal forced him to double down on diligence and secure partnerships.

Digital or mobile resource: Social media platforms — his main tool for networking, learning, and sharing opportunities.

Book recommendation: 10X Rule and Be Obsessed or Be Average by Grant Cardone.

Daily habit: Morning fitness while listening to audiobooks to sharpen both body and mind.

#1 insight for multifamily investing: "People don't care what you know until they know you care."

Favorite restaurant in Austin, TX: North Italia.

Next Steps

• Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn to follow his investing journey.

• Explore opportunities with Massive Capital.

• Start as a passive investor to learn the ropes before transitioning to active syndication.

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