For some reason I still feel that I am obligated to be her friend even though the friendship will not help me achieve my goals and may even be hinder my progress.I guess I really want to know if anyone feels they have been pretty successful in REI without implementing the extra stuff........and just put in good ol' hard work?

Then your friendship is gone right with it.

You might feel bad at first but if you care anything about your friendship, let alone BOTH of your partnership, YOU should get separate contractor or Contractors.

This is my fist day on Bigger Pockets and I hope to make some long-lasting friendships here.

Tell her you prefer to not mix business with friendship or family, because things do always seem to go wrong in business and you would not want to have business mishaps affect your friendship. 

And it wouldn't make sense to risk my Bar license and friendships to try to screw over my partners.

Unfortunately, it'll likely back fire on the friendship.

My husband is a contractor, mostly in trim and cabinetry and we have a large potential team of electricians, floor specialists, renovators and so on through lifetime friendships if needed.

Unfortunately forums are often just a venue for bragging and self promotion instead of an area for cultivating friendships and helping others.

Plus, you may have to evict them or ask them to move on if they did not pay or caused other issues (which could mean the end of the friendship).