This is a lot of information and questions for one thread, so I'll try to break it up using bullet points.

The positive energy is awesome.

You first need to identify fuel / energy sources already in place, or that can readily be installed for your budget.

System creation tips from @Jonna Weber Not to mention the sheer positive energy rising from your post.

I disagree with that, cause ownership takes far less time and energy than management, but let's just assume.  

SO....now I'm working on that note....with the recent slowdown in the energy industry, I'm hoping it'll take me about a year or 18 months to pay off my home, and at that time, I'll allow myself to go into the office (either project management or people management), and work on getting my funding together again for another go at REI - should not take too long with no other expenses besides taxes, food, gas, and misc. 

They deploy it to get deals done knowing it comes back either in short term gains or as passive cashflow.For that new Investor just getting in, unless they're flush with cash, they have enough money for a deal and if you have one bullet right now as an investor it's tough to get things done because you have the costs of the deal plus you have holding costs, and you have first in money for a contractor. 

I dodged a bullet on the that one!

It's not their focus and they don't spend a lot (if any) of money or energy looking for those deals.

This is definitely a more heavy up front cost way of investing but the increased cash flow in many cases can make that initial investment worth the time, energy and money.