In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with my good friend and powerhouse communicator, Trevor B. West, the CEO of Hive Community Investments, Air Force veteran, speaker, and event MC. We dive into Trevor’s wild ride from military intelligence operator to 73-unit real estate investor, his transformation through faith, and his ability to dominate stages and living rooms alike with one unmatched skill: communication.

Trevor shares how a rugby injury and a Netflix binge turned into a financial awakening, how he got creative to build his real estate portfolio from zero, and why he leads every move with his faith.

We also unpack the real-world parallels between battlefield clarity and entrepreneurial decision-making. Buckle up—this one’s deep, inspiring, and wildly tactical.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

02:04 JJ’s Joke of the Week

02:48 Who is Trevor B. West?

04:40 Joining the Air Force and the pivot from Special Forces to Intelligence

08:26 Life as an Intel analyst and briefing experience 13:21 The turning point: The beginnings of burnout and a leg injury that changed his life

15:33 Reading Rich Dad Poor Dad and shifting mindset from consumption to creation

17:50 Re-discovering life after the military

19:40 Learning the importance of communication from the military

24:24 Clarity over complacency: Dialing in to achieve your goals

30:17 Drawing parallels between military discipline and real estate success

34:33 The value of being resourceful in real estate

36:56 Finding hard money lenders and raising private capital

38:44 Joining communities and surrounding yourself with high-level entrepreneurs

39:54 Surviving shiny object syndrome and realigning his vision

40:40 The spiritual foundation of his business

44:03 Start with education before taking action

46:47 Identifying your strengths and using them to find opportunities

52:19 The value of believing in delayed gratification

58:22 Building connections with people who understand your challenges

59:58 Clear, concise, confident: How Trevor developed stellar communication skills

01:02:50 How saying “yes” to everything brought Trevor to where he is today

01:08:44 Why Trevor introduces himself as a “31-year-old Christian”

01:12:05 What the future looks like for Trevor

Quotables

“If you were excellent at something before, you can transfer that same excellence to your next season—if you’re willing to do the reps.”

“I’m not the smartest in the room, but I know how to communicate a vision. That’s gotten me into rooms I had no business being in.”

“Without Jesus, nothing I build matters. These properties? They’re not mine. I’m just stewarding what God’s given me.”

Links

608B Capital

https://608bcapital.com