An encounter in 2006 with a man who was experiencing homelessness put Joshua Hunt on a totally different trajectory to start to understand people’s own journeys and to live in curiosity, not judgment.

Driven by this value in his personal and professional life, Hunt impacts communities by thinking differently and taking action. He provides innovative solutions to challenges and encourages others to become successful in non-traditional ways – all while providing opportunities to those who may otherwise have been overlooked.

“I don’t need people to live as I live, but I want to empower them to find their path and learn how they can make a difference in their own way, said Hunt, Founder and CEO of real estate firm TRELORA and a finalist for the 2018 9NEWS Leader of the Year award.

See the 9NEWS Leader of the Year announced LIVE at the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Leading Colorado presented by Southwest on March 8.

At TRELORA, Hunt is devoted to creating transparency in the real estate industry to better align with technological trends and consumer expectations.

Professionally and personally, one of his greatest passions is championing affordable housing and solutions to homelessness. Through the TRELORA Foundation, Hunt aims to create hope around housing and lend a helping hand to those who need it most. He is also an active board member with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, which builds homes for the underserved. And through the Leadership Denver 2017 Mayor’s Challenge, he and a team are tackling issues of affordable housing in our community alongside the Mayor’s Office of HOPE.

Hunt is dedicated to other causes as well. He volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, where he is a role model for those who might struggle with traditional education. He also serves as Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors for Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT), helping teachers and students get the tools they need to succeed.

Hunt is passionate about inspiring unique trajectories because he himself has had a unique journey in life. As a high school dropout, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to a variety of jobs from running his own lawn business as a teenager to volunteer firefighter as a young adult. At 20, he found success in real estate.

It was when he took the time to record over 750 interviews with individuals around the country, including those experiencing homelessness and from other demographics, about happiness, success and failure that his values and purpose in life truly began to take shape. Since then, he’s no longer afraid of failure: “One of my biggest motivators in life is being told that something can’t be done … and then I seem to want to chase that.”

 

Snapshot: Joshua Hunt

Quote: “Live in curiosity, not judgment.”

Success in Business

  • Founded TRELORA, devoted to reshaping industry practices to better align with technological trends and rising consumer expectations, in 2012
  • Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network member since 2016
  • 1997 Rookie of the Year at RE/MAX 1997

Awards, Accolades and Community Investment

  • Mentorship roles: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, LGBT couples in transition and with Young Americans Bank/ Youth Biz
  • Board leadership positions: Colorado Thought Leaders Forum, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) Colorado, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
  • TRELORA Foundation founder and executive director
  • 2017 Small Business of the Year (TRELORA) awarded by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, and 2017 Best Place to Work Award and Top LGBTQ-Owned Company (TRELORA), awarded by the Denver Business Journal
  • Steering Committee member for The Centrist Project, dedicated to enticing political conversation across all parties and backgrounds (Since 2017)