BricksFolios | Live Your Dreams

Why Mindset Matters More Than Money:BricksFolios Summer Internship 2025

Published by

Vinod Sharma & Jo Dixit

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A large group of students participating in the BricksFolios Summer Business Internship, many showing victory signs on their video call.

Yesterday we kicked off the BricksFolios Summer Business Internship with a huge grroup of driven, thoughtful students ready to challenge how they think about money, investing, and leadership.

Many are still in high school, but they’re already asking questions most adults don’t stop to consider:

  • What’s the difference between money and wealth?
  • Why is most of America’s retirement still tied to the stock market?
  • How do the wealthy use real estate not just to grow—but to protect and transfer wealth?
  • What are the blind spots in how most people manage their assets?

These aren’t quick answers. But they’re the right questions.

At BricksFolios, we don’t just teach investing. We teach students how to think like investors.

How to assess risk. How to see opportunity when others hesitate.

How to build for freedom not just income.

We show them that U.S. real estate is the largest asset class in the world, yet it’s also the most under-managed. That mismanagement leads to over $150 billion in lost wealth every year. Not because people don’t care—because they were never taught how to use it strategically.

What our interns are stepping into isn’t just a summer program. It’s a mindset shift.

So to our interns—and to anyone reading this who’s serious about building a different future:

  • What’s one belief about money or wealth you’ve started to question?
  • What surprised you about real estate as a system, not just a property?
  • What kind of freedom are you building toward—and how intentional are your choices today?

Because once your mindset shifts, everything else follows.

#NextGenInvestors #BricksFoliosInternship #ThinkLikeTheTop1Percent #BuildWealth #LiveYourDreams #BricksFolios

25 responses to “Why Mindset Matters More Than Money:BricksFolios Summer Internship 2025”

  1. Gavriel R. Avatar
    Gavriel R.

    Day one is over and if I could summarize it in one word, It would be Insightful! I started questioning why the real estate market is so overlooked by many people, and I starting thinking of ways to teach others the same information I learned. Can’t wait for the next session!

    Reply
    1. growthcatalysts061e8565bb Avatar
      growthcatalysts061e8565bb

      Love that, and you’re absolutely right! Real estate is often overlooked because many don’t truly understand its power as a strategic wealth-building tool. The fact that you’re already thinking about how to share this knowledge with others shows true leadership. Keep that curiosity alive Session 2 will take it even deeper!

      Reply
  2. Moksha Skanda Muga Penchala Avatar
    Moksha Skanda Muga Penchala

    Getting an internship at BricksFolios was a great opportunity to learn about business and how I can be financially successful in the future. Thank you!

    Something that surprised me was how many people considered on joining and being a part of this community. So many people have the interest in the business and learning about wealth. When people retire it’s always the time where people live their lives with all the money they earned. Of course, I want that myself, but I also want to live my life young and have luxuries even if I am not even close to retiring. That is a goal after this internship is to figure how I can do that.

    Thank you,
    Moksha Skanda

    Reply
    1. growthcatalysts061e8565bb Avatar
      growthcatalysts061e8565bb

      Thank you, Moksha!It’s amazing to see your curiosity and drive to not only think about financial freedom for retirement but also how to create a life of choice and flexibility earlier on. That’s exactly the mindset shift we hope to inspire understanding that wealth isn’t just about working hard now and waiting to enjoy it later, but about strategic planning and intentional decisions that let you design the life you want at every stage. Excited to see how you’ll apply these lessons!

      Reply
  3. Genesis Avatar
    Genesis

    As I start to analyze my beliefs on wealth, I realize that wealth or having abundance isn’t just for privileged people. Of course being privileged and having some sort of connection to money help tremendously but, It always depends on how much someone wants and yearns to reach higher financially. Something that always surprised when looking at real estate was the fact that so many other bits take place in order to make the possibility of having a home. It’s like a puzzle, it isn’t possible to be completed without the other bits. Financial freedom in the future is what I’m personally working to. I try to be as intentional as I can to reach this. For example, I try to educate myself on finance by watching educational podcasts in this area. These teach me real life problems and what I can do to avoid and face them. Another way I am climbing my way to financial freedom was joining BrickFolios Summer Internship, which will help me learn how to invest not only this but challenge they way I think about money and teach me leadership skills.

    Reply
    1. Vikyath S Avatar
      Vikyath S

      Day one at Bricksfolios is already over and I can’t help but feel grateful for everything that has already been taught to enhance and develop our financial mindsets to not be focusing on gaining money, but instead gaining wealth. Here are some of the main takeaways that I have received and have surprised me from Day one:

      -The real estate market is worth over 54 trillion
      -Wealth is the process of owning assets that in the long run help generate more and more profit as time goes forward
      – Wealth is more on the mindset than on the money, which allows some people to take advantage of the system while others are falling behind

      Can’t wait to learn more in Day Two!

      Reply
      1. growthcatalysts061e8565bb Avatar
        growthcatalysts061e8565bb

        So well said! Shifting the focus from just earning money to building wealth is such an important mindset change and you’ve already captured that from Day 1! Understanding the sheer scale of the real estate market and how assets generate long-term profit is the first step to thinking like true wealth builders. Excited for you to dive even deeper in Day 2!

    2. growthcatalysts061e8565bb Avatar
      growthcatalysts061e8565bb

      This is such a powerful realization! True wealth isn’t about privilege alone it’s about intentional learning, mindset, and taking action. You’re absolutely right that real estate is like a puzzle, with so many interconnected pieces that need to fit together to unlock financial freedom. The fact that you’re already educating yourself through podcasts and now the BricksFolios Internship shows incredible foresight. Keep nurturing that curiosity and drive these habits will compound into opportunities far beyond what you can imagine today!

      Reply
  4. Avni Rajpal Avatar
    Avni Rajpal

    On Day 1 of the BricksFolios Summer Internship, what stood out to me most was the idea that wealth isn’t just about money — it’s about mindset and making intentional choices early on. I realized that most people have valuable assets they don’t even think to manage, simply because they haven’t been taught to see the bigger picture. This session opened my eyes to how important it is to be proactive with both finances and personal growth, and I’m excited to learn how to turn that awareness into action.

    Reply
  5. Akshay S Avatar
    Akshay S

    Day one is finished, I’ve already taken away something big. One slide that stood out to me was (over 80% of personal wealth at retirement comes from people’s homes, and yet, many of these homes are unmanaged assets.) That really surprised me. I hadn’t thought of real estate in that way before. We also talked about the $30 trillion in record home equity, which has doubled in the last 7 years. It’s crazy to think how much value is sitting there without being used. This one session already has me rethinking how we approach wealth and long-term planning. Looking forward to the next class.

    Akshay S

    Reply
    1. growthcatalysts061e8565bb Avatar
      growthcatalysts061e8565bb

      Exactly, Akshay! 🙌 Most people see their home as just a place to live, not realizing it’s often their largest and most underutilized asset. That $30 trillion in home equity is a massive opportunity if managed strategically, it can unlock financial freedom, fund life goals, and even create generational wealth. Glad to see this shift in perspective already taking root on Day 1! 🚀

      Reply
  6. Anisha B Avatar
    Anisha B

    After attending the first BricksFolios session I realized this internship is going to be about a lot more than just investing. We talked about mindset, risk, and how most people never learn to manage their assets strategically. It made me think about how often we follow routines around money without really questioning where those habits come from or if they’re actually helping us.

    What surprised me the most was how real estate can be more than just buying or renting. It can be a tool to build influence, stability, and generational impact when used the right way. That shift in thinking opened my eyes to how much I still have to learn, not just about money but about how to approach challenges, make decisions, and lead.

    This program is already pushing me to think bigger and ask deeper questions. I’m excited not just to gain financial knowledge but to grow as a leader and start thinking like someone who creates change, not just reacts to it.

    Reply
  7. Nikita Warrier Avatar
    Nikita Warrier

    The first day of the BricksFolios internship really changed my perspective. I used to think that building wealth was only about saving and working hard. Now, I understand it also involves mindset, strategy, and getting started early. One thing I noticed is how essential it is to ask the right questions instead of just doing what everyone else does.

    I’m looking forward to learning more, especially about real estate and how to achieve financial freedom while I’m still young. This experience is already challenging my views on success and what it truly means to create a life intentionally rather than by chance.

    Reply
  8. Shrihan G Avatar
    Shrihan G

    The first day of the BricksFolios internship was very insightful. Some things I have learned are that wealth isn’t just about earning more, but actually creating assets that work for you. Real estate would be a good example because these assets can grow on their own. Additionally, another thing I learned is that downturns can be opportunities if you know how to take advantage of them.

    Reply
  9. Shaurya G Avatar
    Shaurya G

    Something I learned from day 2 of the internship was how you can use your home’s equity. Previously, I saw a home as a financial asset that can simply be sold, however, day 2’s session opened my eyes to how home equity can also be utilized to build wealth. I learned how a homeowner can combine tappable equity, which is the amount of equity the homeowner can use, with other funds to create their capital stack, which can then be used to invest in more real estate. This learning completely changed the way I saw a home as a financial asset, and I now understand the power of using home equity to keep investing and building wealth!

    Reply
  10. Shreshta Avatar
    Shreshta

    So excited to be part of this internship! it’s already changing the way I think about money and real estate. I never realized how much wealth is lost just from not knowing how to manage property the right way. One belief I’ve started to question is that owning real estate alone builds wealth, now I see it’s all about using it strategically.

    Reply
  11. harshiv Avatar
    harshiv

    I never realized how much value is just sitting in things like home equity, with a majority of retired peoples net worth coming from home equity, and how real estate can be used way beyond just buying and holding. The biggest shift for me has been learning how the wealthy actually manage and grow what they already have instead of just chasing more.

    Reply
  12. Pragati Avatar
    Pragati

    Real estate is a powerful way to save on taxes and build long-term wealth, especially if you qualify as a Real Estate Professional (REP). Take 14829 203rd Avenue Ct E in Bonney Lake, WA as an example. With a projected cash-on-cash return of 5.75% and gross rental yield of 25.02%, this property already performs well. But if you’re an REP, you can also fully deduct depreciation losses against your income, potentially reducing your tax bill to zero. Compared to a non-REP, who can only offset passive income, REPs unlock significantly greater tax advantages while still benefiting from appreciation, leverage, and steady cash flow.

    Reply
  13. Victoria Nguyen Avatar
    Victoria Nguyen

    How Does Real Estate Help Save Taxes & Build Wealth? Let’s Talk Strategy 🔍🏡

    Most investors miss out on millions in potential gains—not because of market performance, but because of missed strategy. Here’s the difference when selling a property on 7/31/2029 using the Smart Hold Tool👇

    🔴 Non-REP (No Professional Guidance):
    You’re on your own. No real analysis on funding strategies. No tax deferral planning. No help identifying the best high-ROI properties. This often leads to a hefty tax bill, missed cash flow, and subpar returns.

    🟢 REP with BricksFolios (Real Estate Professional):
    You’re working with a strategist who uses tools like the Discounted Cash Flow Model to help you optimize for cash flow, equity growth, and minimize taxes. A REP helps you access smart funding options (like 1031 exchanges, cost segregation, and equity recycling), which can defer taxes and maximize compound wealth over time.

    💡 With BricksFolios, you gain:
    ✅ Properties matched to your ROI goals
    ✅ Smarter funding strategies
    ✅ Tax minimization from day one
    ✅ True wealth-building—not guesswork

    The difference between owning real estate and strategically investing in it is millions of dollars and decades of peace of mind.

    Reply
  14. Anisha B Avatar
    Anisha B

    Session 2 Leadership Assignment #1

    I recently explored the Smart Hold Analysis feature from BricksFolios and compared it to a more traditional real estate portal like Zillow. What stood out to me was how BricksFolios focuses on long-term financial performance rather than just current listing prices. It provides a personalized, data-backed recommendation on whether to hold or sell a property—almost like having a financial advisor built into the real estate platform. While legacy portals are great at offering listings and home estimates, Smart Hold helped me understand why a property may be worth holding onto from a wealth-building standpoint. This experience elevated my perspective on real estate, it’s not just about what you buy, but about making smarter decisions over time. It showed me how important it is to view real estate through the lens of financial leadership.

    Reply
  15. Anisha B Avatar
    Anisha B

    Session 2 Leadership Assignment #2

    Session 2 with the BricksFolios team was incredibly eye-opening. One key takeaway for me was learning how real estate can and should align with your broader life and financial goals. Through tools like Smart Hold Analysis, I realized how important it is to make data-driven, not emotion-driven, decisions about property ownership. The session didn’t just teach us about real estate it offered a fresh perspective on long-term financial planning, personal growth, and how to think like a leader. I’m learning to build in public, reflect on what I learn, and share that knowledge with other just like many successful founders do. Each session feels like more than an internship it’s a step toward becoming a financially aware leader.

    Reply
  16. Anisha B Avatar
    Anisha B

    Session 2 Leadership Assignment #3

    I had a meaningful conversation with my parents about their journey with home-ownership and how it impacted their financial well-being. They shared how buying their first home was a big decision but over time, it became one of their smartest investments, helping them build stability and long-term equity. This discussion made me reflect on the power of real estate not just as a roof over your head, but as a key part of financial growth. We also talked about the importance of diversification and how adding smart real estate investments can strengthen wealth over time. This conversation helped me better understand the connection between generations, financial literacy, and leadership. It reminded me that true leadership starts at home, and building that understanding now is one of the most valuable lessons I could take forward.

    Reply
  17. Anisha B Avatar
    Anisha B

    Session 3 Assignment #1

    As we hit the halfway point of the BricksFolios Business Summer Internship, I’ve been reflecting on some of the most valuable lessons learned so far. This past week, the sessions opened my eyes to how real estate is not just about property, but about strategy understanding concepts like depreciation, cost segregation, REPS (Real Estate Professional Status), and bonus depreciation. These aren’t just tax terms they’re powerful wealth-building tools that can significantly impact long-term financial outcomes. I also realized how important it is to build in public, whether through writing, sharing insights, or having open financial conversations. This experience is helping me grow not only as a learner but as a future leader, one post, one conversation, and one smart decision at a time.

    Reply
  18. Anisha B Avatar
    Anisha B

    Session 3 Assignment #2

    After today’s session, I sat down with my parents to share what I learned about depreciation, cost segregation, and how real estate investors use these tools to legally reduce their taxes and increase cash flow. We talked about how real estate ownership has impacted our family and how understanding tax strategies like bonus depreciation could benefit future investment decisions. What surprised me was how interested they were, my parents had heard of some of these concepts but didn’t fully understand how they worked until now. The conversation turned into a meaningful discussion about long-term wealth planning and how financial literacy can truly change how we think about money. It made me realize how important it is to bring what I learn back home.

    Reply
  19. Anisha B Avatar
    Anisha B

    Session 3 Assignment #4

    After engaging with Jo and Vinod’s posts, I took a step back to reflect on what truly stood out from today’s session. The deep dive into depreciation, REPS, and cost segregation helped me understand how real estate investors can use tax laws to their advantage, something that’s rarely taught in school. This internship is teaching me how to build my personal brand, grow my knowledge, and contribute meaningfully to a community focused on financial literacy and smart investing.

    Reply

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