Novice from Maryville, TN

[Derek Tellier]

I'm 45 and a newcomer to REI, just in the learning phase. I'm originally from the biggest little state in the Union RI but left there in 1995. I've lived in TN most of the time since then. I've been in the shadow of the Smoky Mountains, just south of Knoxville in Maryville since 2004.
I have a full time job managing Service departments for a Group of Harley-Davidson Dealers. I've made a lot of changes in my life in the last few years and about 2 months ago at the encouragement of a good friend who is doing very will with STRs in my back yard I decided to start looking at RE. Naturally the first step he suggested was to read (or in my case listen to) Rich Dad Poor Dad. I've since listened to 7 more audio books, listened to close to 50 BP podcasts, done lots of research, attended a BP meet up just last weekend and signed up for a Rich Dad Seminar (I know the Gurus are just selling crap, but for me I felt it was a good investment in my education). 
I'm fired up and motivated to start investing. My goals are simply to have enough Passive Income to not have to work a day job anymore. I'm not afraid to work hard but after 30 years of working hard to make other people money I want to start working towards getting my money working for me and giving me the freedom to control my own destiny. 
I'm planning to take the course to get my license, because why not and it can't hurt to have it. 
I'm an avid Harley Rider, love listening to 80's "Hair" Metal and I'm a born and bred NE Sports fan. 
I'm simply looking to network and both learn and share my own experiences with the BP family. I'm open to all types of investing since I'm new but long term feel Rentals both STR and LTR will be my best option to have the freedom I seek. But I'll let that play out and see as I could find something else I'm very passionate about within Real Estate.
I have a personal road block to get passed before I can dive too deep in but in the interim I'm just trying to learn as much as I can and connected with as many people I can. 
If you're in East TN please reach out as while I certainly value my time I'm more than willing to trade some of it to help someone local out if I'm getting the payment of experience.  

Thanks