Rentals and wholesaling are two completely different business models.

What you are calling wholesaling as a business model, sucks.

Our goal is to expand the business strongly in residential wholesaling, and grow the fix and flip part of the business.

We have tried wholesaling with off-market campaigns such as direct mail and SMS.

I have a buddy locally from Indy who's wholesaling up there. 

I have no idea on how any of that works, but if he is serious about getting into RE and if that's what he wants to do....then do it. 1500/month is about minimum wage, I don't see that much risk in taking the leap into wholesaling if that is what he stands to "lose" 

Wholesaling real estate is another way to gain experience without much capital.

I have been around this wholesaling mid west flipping stuff for 20 years now and have only been approach for EM a very few times.

Since you're not pursuing a real estate license, consider wholesaling to gain deal experience or help manage local properties to learn the day-to-day operations.

For example, I believe many brokerages would prohibit their agents from wholesaling.