In just a few years, Chad Schieler went from zero to over 700 units, ditching his high-paying W2 job to build a real syndication business from scratch. And he did it the hard way - solo, self-funded, and battle-tested.

In this episode, Michael Blank sits down with Chad to unpack the gritty, unfiltered truth behind the rise of Focus Capital. They dive deep into the growing pains of scaling fast - partnership failures, capital raising fears, management misfires, and what it really takes to build a machine that lasts.

If you think you’re ready to go full-time, this episode will either snap you out of it - or show you the way forward.

Head over to https://thefreedompodcast.com/500 to submit for a chance to win free merch and be highlighted in episode 500!!!

Key Takeaways

From W2 to 700+ Units: Why Chad Walked Away

• Built a career in credit card processing—but hit a wall with taxes and purpose.
• Real estate started as a tax strategy and turned into a full-blown mission.
• Why chasing a deeper “why” made walking away from comfort worth it.

The Truth About Partnerships

• Chad’s first syndicated deal looked perfect—until it nearly fell apart.
• Why being $4K short led him to take control of the entire business model.
• How too many “chiefs” in asset management created chaos—and the fix.

Raising Capital When It Doesn’t Come Naturally

• Chad self-funded his first four deals—then hit a ceiling.
• The mental shift that helped him want to raise capital.
• How his best capital raiser came straight from his LP base.

Scaling a Real Business (Without Burning Out)

• The struggle of hiring when revenue is lumpy—and what worked for Focus Capital.
• Why Chad hires 12 months ahead of revenue (and how it paid off).
• The non-negotiables that protect his time and family life.

When Bigger is Actually Easier

• Why 100+ unit properties are less stressful than small ones.
• The mistake most investors make with property management on smaller deals.
• How Chad’s early inspection and financing mistakes shaped his future deals.

Connect with Chad

Visit Focus Capital

[email protected] 

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Resources

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For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session487/