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
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Resources
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