I would like to start with a few wholesales or flips and then grow a portfolio that enables my money to work for me...instead of me working for the money!  

There is a ton of supplemental resources on the website to help you with your first few flips.

There's a difference between one-time help and long-term enabling, only you will know where your situation falls along that spectrum.Agree with @Ethan Atkinson and @Patrick Soukup - entering as a lender or $ partner might be a good route if you determine REI is the right thing for you to do now.

The income from the properties would initially be used a a supplement to my income but I would eventually like to have real estate become my primary source of income.  

For example, taking 100 acres and making a city, how cool would that be.The good thing about REI is, its flexible and you can do it as a supplement to whatever your doing now or plan to do.I say do both, maybe use your RE license to fund your education in architecture.I agree wholeheartedly with @Ryan Koehler , especially if one is independent.

There or options such as Roth IRA and Roth Solo 401k, which would enable you to grow wealth not just tax-deferred, but tax-free!

My goal is to supplement my pension upon retirement by creating enough cash flow to sustain my family without having to lose quality time with them.I am eager to learn and look forward to engaging investors here.

Supplement that with all the things you can learn here on BP and you'll be good to go before you know it.

I work closely with all kinds of investors as my company provides self-directed retirement plans enabling our clients diversify out of the stock market and invest into non-traditional assets.

Once the account is set up you can sign up to over the phone wiring which would enable you to do wires from anywhere.Do you have plans in visiting the US?