I have no formal education.

I'm working on a more formal goal/plan.I learned about bigger podcasts from a Captain in my unit who's been interested in real estate for a while.

I suspect many fix and flip or repositioners look at 5 to 20 deals beofre they pull the trigger on one.. can't get discouraged looking at only one property.also drive bys can help 2  without making formal appointments

Perhaps you could cultivate a hard money lender (a person instead of a formal business?)

If you have a relationship you can get a little less formal.

There are many wholesalers that have done 10s, or 100s of deals illegally and have never been caught because the reality is that generally speaking most states don't actively crack down on such cases unless someone files a formal complaint, much like someone driving 5mph over the speed limit. 

When they are in a 'dual agency' situation (i.e. they are formally representing both the Buyer and the Seller), their obligation is to mostly provide information and not opinion / recommendation.

I know many large hotel owners and almost 99% have no formal college education but they worked hard.

If I may suggest, first 'invest' in your FORMAL education regarding RE.

Things like, but not limited to, taking distributions, funding the corporation, corporate formalities and defining payroll -- details on the process and gotchas.