Accolades
BL Next Testimonials
If you are a student-athlete interested in real estate, I highly recommend applying for the BL Next program! The A.CRE Accelerator included in the curriculum has significantly enhanced my skills in financial investment within commercial real estate. I’ve become more proficient in Excel and gained valuable insights into the financial aspects of the industry. If you’re looking to elevate your game, BL Next offers a fantastic range of training that can deepen your understanding of the essential tools needed to succeed in the industry.
BL Next has significantly enhanced my technical skills for a successful future in real estate. After completing the modeling courses provided by BL Next, I began sending personalized models to the firms l aspired to work for, which resulted in numerous interviews.
This achievement is entirely thanks to the
BL Next program.
BL Next has been an incredible experience! The program has allowed me to grow my technical skills, expand my network, and highlight a path into entering the Real Estate Industry. Even with a busy schedule, the program allows me to work at my own pace, enabling me to learn a little more about the business each day.
Prior to this experience, I often felt that I was at a disadvantage as a student-athlete, as l lacked the internship experience that others had.
However, BL Next has instilled confidence in my professional skills, which makes my future transition into the working world far less daunting. I feel incredibly fortunate that people at BL Next care about helping and empowering student-athletes to bring the skills they have learned on the field into the office.
The BL Next program has been transformative in preparing me for a career in real estate. Through hands-on experience with financial modeling and intensive Excel training, I’ve developed a robust analytical toolkit that I can apply to any real estate scenario. The program’s comprehensive approach taught me not just the technical skills of building models, but the critical thinking needed to understand what drives value in real estate investments.
Working through complex case studies and real-world examples helped me master essential skills like DCF analysis, sensitivity testing, and investment return calculations. The Excel proficiency | gained goes far beyond basic functions – I now confidently create sophisticated models that can handle multiple scenarios and provide meaningful insights for investment decisions.
What sets BL Next apart is how it bridges the gap between academic concepts and practical application. Each module built upon the previous ones, creating a natural progression that helped me develop both confidence and competence.
The mentorship and feedback I received throughout the program were invaluable in refining my approach to financial analysis.
Today, I feel thoroughly prepared to tackle any analytical challenge in real estate. Whether it’s evaluating a potential investment, modeling complex debt structures, or analyzing market trends, I have the tools and knowledge to approach problems systematically and arrive at well-supported conclusions. The BL Next program hasn’t just taught me skills – it’s given me the confidence to know I can handle whatever challenges come my way in the dynamic world of real estate.
As I end my career as a Division I student-athlete, my interest in real estate has grown, and I am eager to learn more about the industry while developing the skills necessary to succeed. The BL Next program presents a unique opportunity to gain industry knowledge and connections from experts, which would otherwise be difficult to access due to my demanding athletic schedule. Throughout my athletic career, I have developed a strong work ethic to succeed on and off the playing field. This program has allowed me to add value to my business career as an athlete and my future success in the industry.
I was very fortunate to come across BL
Next through previous work experience during my initial summer internship.
Commercial real estate was exciting to me, and I knew it was a career path that would fit both my personality and the experience I had as a student-athlete. However, I felt like I was late to the game. BL Next took my foundational learning from school and accelerated it with the A.CRE underwriting program. I highly recommend BL Next to any student-athlete who wants to enter the real estate industry. Developing hard skills was important for me, and BL Next gave me the resources I would not have been able to access otherwise. Thank you to Mike Tepedino and Carly Gulasarian for the help and support.
BL Next not only equipped me with the resources to enhance my technical skills, but also offered a valuable opportunity to expand my network and connect with others who share similar backgrounds.
Mike and the entire team have been incredibly supportive, and I’m deeply grateful for their guidance in my professional growth.
The BL NEXT program has been a transformative experience for me as l navigate my senior year of college, preparing to transition from student-athlete to the world of commercial real estate. This prestigious program has not only equipped me with the technical skills necessary for success in the industry but has also instilled the confidence to enter real estate spaces with a clear understanding of my value and expertise.
One of the standout moments in my BL NEXT journey has been the Farm Excel course, which served as my introduction to property valuation. This course helped me grasp the intricacies involved in real estate deals and gave me a strong foundation in the fundamentals of the industry. As I began interviewing for internships, I realized how easily the language and concepts from the course transferred into professional conversations. This familiarity with real estate terminology played a pivotal role in securing an internship, as I could confidently engage with employers on complex topics.
What sets BL NEXT apart is not only the knowledge it provides but also the mentorship and personalized support from industry professionals. This one-on-one guidance has been invaluable, helping me grow as both a student and an emerging real estate professional. As I continue my journey with BL NEXT, I’m excited to further develop my skills and prepare for a future where I can make a significant impact on the industry, just as I have on my teams. While I’m still in the midst of this journey, the program has already had a profound effect on my development, and I know that it will continue to play a critical role in my career progression. The opportunities and insights l’ve gained through BL NEXT are second to none, and I’m grateful for the doors it’s opening as I approach the next phase of my life.
BL Next has provided me with an array of resources to expand my network and deepen my knowledge and skills in the real estate industry. The webinars have been an excellent way to explore which area of real estate best suits my skillset, with insights from some of the industry’s top leaders.
The A.CRE Accelerator training program has offered a valuable platform to acquire the skills outlined in the webinars that are needed for success.
Mike Tepedino and I have discussed his passion for
connecting student-athletes with the real estate industry and it’s clearly evident in the resources the BL Next program offers.
As a student-athlete, I am excited to bring my strong work ethic, competitive drive, and resilience to the workplace. Athletics has instilled in me a deep sense of ownership and accountability. I’ve learned to embrace constructive criticism and adopt a growth mindset, consistently showing up for my team, committing to shared goals, and helping others succeed. I know the importance of not only personal initiative, but also collaboration and team culture in achieving optimal outcomes.
At the same time, I recognize the importance of building technical skills as I pursue a career in real estate finance. Balancing the demands of being a full-time student and athlete has limited my ability to engage in traditional skill-building opportunities. That’s why BL Next has been such a transformative part of my journey. Its flexible, robust real estate education has allowed me to grow both technically and professionally. Through mentorship, insights from industry professionals, and engaging coursework, I’m continuously developing my technical tool kit and leadership abilities.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of BL Next and for Mike Tepedino’s commitment to developing the next generation of real estate professionals.
“BL Next has been instrumental in my growth as a student-athlete breaking into the CRE industry. The program opens doors to a wide network and provides the tools to help enhance your technical skills, whether that be with Excel or Argus. Aside from the courses offered, BL Next also connects you with a mentor. My mentor, Charlotte Patterson at Crow Holdings, is a fellow tennis player whose interviewing advice and knowledge about the industry gave me the confidence to succeed during the competitive internship process. I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be working at CBRE this summer and Wells Fargo in the summer of 2026, which was only possible with the tools, network, and mentorship from the BL Next program. For any athlete looking to break into the real estate industry, taking advantage of this opportunity is a no brainer. You will have new resources and invaluable guidance that will set you apart from other interviewers. Thank you, BL Next!”