Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing MB487: How This Deal Maker Scaled to 700 Units and Raised $20M—With Chad Schieler
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
Access the #1 FREE Apartment Investing Course (Apartments 101)
Schedule a Free Strategy Session with Michael's Team of Advisors
Explore Michael’s Mentoring Program
Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club
Review the Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Get the Book, Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank
For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session487/