They are investor friendly and popular amongst wholesalers.

I have done a handful of flips using cash, partnering with friends, and making it work. 

Your job will be to find an investor-friendly brokerage willing to teach.

Maybe knock on a few neighbors doors and ask some questions.I've found in Texas most people are pretty nice and friendly...the tax assessor people, the appraisal district people, the sheriff's office, maybe the county commissioners, etc. 

Start with your closest friends and family but they will invest with you because of your relationship not necessarily because of the real estate or your real estate acumen. 

Borrowed money from friends and family to pay cash for the property as the bank would not finance it until it had been remodeled, made livable, and brought up to code.

Quote from @John Brown: I have a friend with a property in a very desirable location in Texas that I believe would be great for STR.

We want to get a few rentals up and running and then (if all works well) begin bringing other friends/investors in to invest with us.

Hey John,I work with several different property managers, which I refer to for my clients (I'm an investor friendly agent over here).

If I put myself in the shoes of the outside partner/investor friend, I would be very concerned because: 1) unclear and/or potentially conflicting business plan, 2) even with clarity in the BRRRR business plan, unclear in the viability of pulling it off with these market conditions, 3) the chances of dispute seems very high, especially if you're going to live in. 4 years ago, I went through a  similar thought process when purchasing an investing property with mainly my family money, while considering an outside investor to rehab for higher STR ROI...