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.

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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.

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chad@focuscapital.com

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This is one of the most tactical, eye-opening conversations we’ve had on market selection.

Market selection can make or break your deal before you ever sign a contract. And right now, it’s not just about job growth or population trends anymore. In this episode, Michael Blank is joined by Andrew Meyers, Director of Acquisitions at Nighthawk Equity, to reveal what actually matters when choosing a market—and why most investors are looking at the wrong data.

They break down the real drivers of rent growth, how to avoid buying in overheated metros, and what most people overlook that leads to underperforming deals. Plus, Andrew shares where Nighthawk is actively investing right now—and why.

Why Absorption Is the New KPI

• It’s not just about growth—it’s about who’s filling those units.
• Learn why absorption is the single most overlooked factor in market due diligence.
• Discover how overbuilt markets tank B-class rents—and how to spot it before you buy.

The Hidden Danger in “Hot Markets”

• Everyone loved Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta—until rent drops hit hard.
• Understand why too much supply—even in fast-growing cities—kills performance.
• Learn how to read between the lines of growth headlines to spot real risk.
• 
  

How to Vet a Submarket Like a Pro

• Why Carroll County in Georgia is outperforming—but other Atlanta submarkets are crashing.
• Learn how zoning moratoriums, new construction trends, and crime rates quietly impact your bottom line.
• The exact reports and relationships you need to dig deeper than “market averages.”

Where Nighthawk Is Buying Right Now

• Atlanta remains the #1 market due to scale, broker relationships, and submarket knowledge.
• Huntsville, AL is rising fast thanks to job growth and lower institutional competition.
• Hear what tertiary markets are on Nighthawk’s radar—and why most operators overlook them.

Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask

• Who’s actually on the ground executing the business plan—and what relationships do they have?
• How well does the operator know this specific submarket (not just the metro)?
• Are their underwriting assumptions conservative—or fantasy spreadsheets?
• Learn the red flags that reveal when a sponsor is guessing instead of grounded.

investors@nighthawkequity.com

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If you’re trying to scale your real estate business and still asking “How do I do this?”, you’re already falling behind. In this episode, Dr. Benjamin Hardy, author of 10X Is Easier Than 2X and The Science of Scaling, explains why success in multifamily hinges on shifting from "how" to "who." Michael and Ben dig into why most investors get stuck on the wrong path, and how committing to a bold vision — even without knowing the entire roadmap — is the real starting point. This episode is a must-listen for six-figure earners stuck in the single-family grind, trying to leap into commercial real estate and financial freedom.

1. Why Your 10-Year Plan Is Holding You Back

• Most investors set conservative goals based on their current capacity.
• A 10-year retirement plan with single-family homes isn't just slow — it’s likely broken.
• Reframe your goal: what would it take to become financially free in 12 months?
• When the timeframe compresses, the current strategy breaks — and that’s the point.

2. The "Who Not How" Principle for Real Estate Scaling

• Multifamily investing isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing different.
• Instead of figuring out every step, ask “Who already knows how to do this?”
• The right team — mentors, capital partners, deal finders — collapses the learning curve.
• Syndication is the ultimate “who not how” structure: it’s a team sport.

3. The Psychology of Commitment and Belief

• You won’t pursue what you don’t believe is possible.
• Small “micro-commitments” — like booking a strategy call or analyzing your first deal — build belief.
• Commit to the outcome (financial freedom), not the tactic (buying rentals).
• Reverse-engineering from your end goal leads to radically different decisions.

4. Letting Go of the Path That Got You Here

• Your current strategy won’t get you to your next level.
• If you're clinging to rentals, flips, or even a high-paying job — you're on the wrong path.
• Letting go feels like quitting — but it's often the gateway to real progress.
• Ask: “What’s the opportunity cost of staying stuck?”

5. Dr. Hardy’s Framework from The Science of Scaling

• Identify your "floor" — the level where you're currently stuck — and why it's limiting.
• The most successful entrepreneurs redesign their systems, teams, and mindsets to scale.
• Scaling isn’t just a process — it’s a mindset of focusing on fewer things, done better.

6. Multifamily as the Ideal Vehicle for Scaling

• Single-family strategies are too slow, too small, and too dependent on your time.
• Multifamily offers higher leverage, scalable income, and team-based execution.
• The joint venture nature of syndication makes scaling practical, even if you’re starting out.
• The ability to raise money or partner with operators creates fast pathways to GP status.

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