Purchasing buy and hold properties at the start.

[Junior Salters]

How did a lot of you buy and hold investors get started purchasing rental properties? I'm speakingainly to those who didn't have the 10k or more sitting around to purchase one? How did you gain the capital at first and roughly how long did it take you?

I'm currently doing wholesaling to gain more reserves and cash flow to purchase my first rental property by next summer/fall. Wasn't sure if I should vamp it up by studying flipping houses and possibly JV'ing a deal with an experienced investor even though I know that raises my risk but would give me the more money at a larger rate. Just let me know what you guys think and how you got being a buy and hold investor if you don't mind!
Thanks!