I want to make as much money on each deal as I can.If the market is willing to buy pigs with lipstick, I'm selling pigs with lipstick, eye shadow and maybe a splash of perfume.

(you are a business not an employee anymore) Someone you can shadow or partner with in the beginning?

That was how I got myself through those dark days.

Money and no knowledge are like carrying a loaded shot gun in the woods in the dark.

Here's a throw in the dark to see if anyone is open to connecting. 

Since this is such a new experience for me I am wondering if its appropriate to shadow or assist a more experienced investor before starting out on my own.

Many quit not knowing all the other avenues in real estate they can take that is different.I personally like to go to the beach on vacation and listen to the waves roll in at dark with peace and quiet and the moon hitting off the ocean.

I was around 16 when I first calculated my net worth.I shoveled snow (I actually looked forward to a big storm and was up at the crack of dawn with a shovel on my shoulder and wasn't back home until dark), cut grass, raked leaves, etc.). 

It certainly won't hurt to become more familiar with the laws and practices, but unless you have a reason for getting licensed your time could be better spent shadowing a mentor or doing actual deals.

We also would dump our garbage at local business after dark because we could not afford garbage collection .