Ep81: Michael Friedland: Business, Magic, and the Power of Focused Practice

Your Business – Your Next Level

In this episode of Your Business Your Next Level, I sit down with Michael Friedland—entrepreneur, real estate investor, and founder of Schlepper Moving & Storage. Michael’s story is a fascinating blend of philosophy, sleight-of-hand magic, and highly practical business acumen. He’s built successful ventures by aligning his daily life with his strengths and learning how to structure businesses so they don’t rely on him.

We explore how Michael uses frameworks like Porter’s Five Forces and SWOT analysis to evaluate opportunities, why entrepreneurs should focus on working “on” the business, not “in” it, and how understanding your own strengths and constraints leads to smarter investments and a more fulfilling life. This is a must-listen for anyone balancing multiple interests, building a team, or searching for clarity in how they use their time and money.

Key Takeaways:

Know Your Core Competency: Whether it's business, magic, or music, Michael believes excellence comes from aligning with what you naturally do day after day.

Delegation Isn’t Optional—It’s Growth: Scaling requires letting go of the tasks that drain you and empowering others to do what they’re great at.

Use Real Strategy Tools to Evaluate Risk: Michael uses frameworks like Porter’s Five Forces to pressure test ideas and avoid wasting time or capital.

Failing Smart is the Best Teacher: Michael’s early failures taught him to prioritize control and cash flow over chasing unicorns.

Invest With Clarity, Not Fantasy: Your strategy should match your personality and constraints. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for unnecessary losses.

Timeline Summary:

[00:00] - Michael’s background: from philosophy major to magician to moving company founder

[03:00] - How his “room rotation” routine led to 10,000-hour mastery in multiple fields

[05:00] - Time management, energy, and knowing what to say no to

[07:00] - The transition from working in the business to working on it

[09:00] - Why talent with heart matters more than just credentials

[10:00] - Intro to Porter’s Five Forces and how he uses them to vet opportunities

[13:00] - Why commoditized industries can still be profitable if you play to your edge

[15:00] - The importance of reducing substitution risk in business

[18:00] - Venture capital vs. actual business building—two very different games

[22:00] - Why Michael avoids the public markets and focuses on what he can control

[26:00] - Understanding your own “investment character” to avoid bad advice

[29:00] - The illusion of financial gurus and the coin-flip nature of success stories

[33:00] - Asking the right questions to drive progress instead of paralysis

[36:00] - How failures sharpen strategy—and why regrets can become superpowers

[39:00] - Final thoughts on personal responsibility and building a business that fits you

Links & Resources:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-friedland-mba-5465632