I want to start my own brokerage.

Look up who the big retail focused brokerage firms are in your market.

A colleague of mine in my brokerage is a flipper and she is always flipping something between Leesburg and Reston!

Kyle Berkshire T&C Management and Brokerage

Bob, everything your listed is a red flag, people should watch out to.I don't know you personally, but you don't have any references to a brokerage of your PM company, you're trying to tell OOS investors that East Cleveland is OK to invest when it's clearly danger zone.I'm not trying to be cool - just warn people to be more careful what broker to affiliate with.Do you care to share the name of your broker who would manage properties in East Cleveland?

Have any of you, as investors, obtained a business entity brokerage license along with a designated real estate broker?

I think your best bet is to reach out to the commercial broker agencies in your area and ask them about the process.

When speaking with potential brokerages, make sure to interview them to make sure its a mutual fit.

Lastly, when it comes to direct mail,  if I'm a licensed agent and I'm sending out a targeted DM campaign to buy distressed properties (not list them), would I need to include my brokerage logo & info on my advertising? 

In OH I’d either have to get my brokerage license, or hire a broker to hang their license in my property management business.