After 14 years in the military, I was medically retired. Life was asking me to do something else. That’s when my dream of owning a business returned. 

 

Extreme comfort is something to be wary of. When we get too comfortable, we stop learning. That was definitely my experience as a young adult. 

 

I studied business economics in college, with the dream of becoming an entrepreneur one day, when I met Mianah, who would later become my wife. She was in the military, which, coincidentally, was something I had been considering. We both knew that 2 partners in the military would mean rarely seeing each other, so I went down the path of sales. 

 

 I served as the Marketing Director for a golf company, where I was responsible for developing and executing strategic marketing plans, while also driving sales of products and services. Then, I moved into banking, which was a great opportunity to learn about investments, loans, and financial products. I was eventually recruited by Enterprise Rent-A-Car as a Sales Management Trainee, and later transitioned into the Car Sales division to focus on retail sales and business development.

 

I had a stable life, but after 3 years, I got bored. I wasn’t being challenged, and that old desire to join the military came knocking again.

 

Mianah and I had another discussion, and this time, we decided to make it work. I joined the military and ended up serving for 14 years, with Mianah and me only being apart for 2 of those years. As a Signal Corps officer in the U.S. Army, I specialized in satellite communications, delivering reliable connectivity to support both garrison environments and operational deployments across theater. My work even took me to Iraq. 

 

 The military taught me resilience—being away from my family at times was tough, but it made me stronger. It also taught me leadership. At one point, Mianah and our kids, Sarai and D’Andre, lived in Germany for 3 years. That experience was incredible. We traveled around Europe and even Africa, soaking in different cultures and making lifelong memories.

 

But as much as I valued my time in the military, the lifestyle took a toll on my work-life balance. I was either away from my family or working constantly. After years of delaying the decision, I finally obtained my real estate license in 2017 while still on active duty. A few years later, I medically retired from the Army and made the transition into real estate full time. As that chapter came to a close, I had to figure out what was next. One thing was certain—I wanted to retire in Hawaii. Fortunately, Hawaii was an option for Mianah’s next duty station, so in 2020, we packed our bags and made the move to Oahu.

 

I earned my real estate license in 2017, and since then, it’s been an incredible journey serving my clients, especially veterans and active-duty service members. Real estate has allowed me to take the leadership skills I honed in the military and use them in a way that directly helps families.

 

 Since moving to Hawaii, my family has also grown. We welcomed our youngest daughter, Evelyn, who is now 4, while Sarai and D’Andre are 18 and 11, respectively. Outside of real estate, I love hiking around the island, hitting the gym, and exploring different restaurants in search of the best dishes.

 

Looking back, I’ve learned that growth comes from not settling. If there’s something you’re passionate about, go for it and give it a shot. The path may not always be straightforward, but as long as you keep moving forward, you’ll keep learning.

 

Homeownership may seem out of reach, but with the right guidance, it’s possible. I love helping people navigate the process, educating them on how to achieve their real estate goals, and breaking down each step to get there. As a veteran, I’m especially passionate about working with fellow veterans and active-duty service members, showing them how to maximize their benefits and VA loans to secure a home. I take the time to explain these advantages so they can confidently move toward homeownership.

 

My clients’ well-being always comes first, and I’ll never push a sale that doesn’t make sense. Instead, I provide honest advice, ensuring they make informed decisions. If a deal isn’t right, I’ll say so. As their advocate, I work tirelessly and do whatever it takes to finalize the best deal possible, helping them transition into their dream home with ease. My goal is to make the process seamless so they can focus on starting this exciting new chapter of their lives.

 

 Sincerely,

 

 

D'Andre Burdin