My business partner and I would love to sit down for lunch and pick someone’s brain.

., what I would do first is pick an area you think might work.Then get on AirBNB and VRBO and see what is currently there.

Start small and then it will pick up speed later.  

Im planning to 1031 exchange and pick a STR in blue ridge?

You either pick up an existing property and the owner relinquishes their license so that you can apply for it, or you get very lucky.

I don't want to pick on you but you recently posted about utilizing land trusts and Wyoming LLC's to purchase real estate in Arkansas and also posted questions  suggesting you were unclear on how general liability coverage works/ is issued for a $170K purchase. 

You look for good houses, get okayed for loans, pick the best changes to make, plan your money, put your place up for rent in a smart way, take care of the house, list on many sites, borrow again, and use the new cash to buy another house.

Do NOT use beenverified for this as it rarely picks up everything.   

Finally, pick up the phone and call any similar complex to yours and see what they're chargingGino

definitely pick a place where you can maximize your income, where you'll enjoy living or have strong ties, and where you can house hack.