As far as his HUD training course it is something that is extra and not his primary business model.

My model was buy a property, rehab, put tenants in place, cash-out refinance with the lease supporting income for DTI calculation, repeat.

Southern IL has a lot of markets where more traditional housing competes with the affordable model, which is not ideal.Next, anyone looking to help you out here will need a tad more information to assist you in an evaluation.  

. :-) Proven models are what BP provides and I think that was @Joshua Dorkin mission when he started BP.

It's like buying a car, suddenly you notice all the other cars of the same make/model as yours.

Self management became a huge part of our business model.

The emphasis here is more to that partnering approach is really their business model, they prey on the newbies usually to generate the business activity.

Many of us including myself talk about our strategies, styles, niches and business model on our website.

If you wouldn't mind, would it be possible to help an aspiring wholesaler like in getting my feet wet?

One idea, if you don't have to be on the beach, look into park model mobile homes you can buy in an rv resort.