Getting a start in RE development in the future

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Hello, I am pretty new to the forum. I have posted in this section before, but here's the deal. 

I am a master plumber contractor that lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am currently looking into flipping and flopping properties for a profit. Since I am a plumber, I can handle all of the plumbing work myself, which will cut down revocation cost and increase my profitability. 

I know if you have not went to college for RE development, or worked for a development firm, this is how you would get your feet wet in the industry, as an investor. That is how a lot of successful developers started.

With that said, most people know that hvac, electrical, and plumbing contractors, like my self, have a pretty good involvement with construction. So I have pretty good connections with General contractors. 

As I continue to buy and flip houses, I will use this as an advantage to build relationships with roofers, landscape designers, and hopefully many various successful RE professionals. 

I will be flipping and flopping properties, and possibly owning a few small apartment buildings for quite some time before I jump into the development aspect of the industry. (possibly 5-8 years)

For my first few development projects, I will go in with a partner that has good development experience to guide along the way and show me the proper ins and out of the industry. 

I am not certain about what my first RE development project will be, but of course I want to start small by developing small offices, small apartment buildings, small 10-15 lot neighborhoods etc and grow. I want to do residential and eventually commercial projects in the future as my portfolio builds up. 

I know it is a risky and difficult industry, and I will have to deal with zonings, and multiple permits etc, but I have had this dream since I was a little boy. I was what they would call a "Tonka Kid." Enjoying seeing things go from bits and pieces into a full structure. 

I earned a business degree at South Piedmont Comminuty College to better my business skills before I became my own self-employed plumbing contractor, and yes I do have a contractors license. Hopefully these two details will help. 

I hope you guys can give me helpful, informative advice on eventually helping me to make this dream come to a reality years down the road, give me what you got!