Here's my two cents about getting into the industry. I've worked in the field for over 12 years total between selling equipment and making signs. I have seen customers come and go over the years and I think it all boils down to passion. I have seen customers come to me and they ask more questions about price and get so focused on how much money they are spending that they don't take the time to learn the product the right way and think they are going to just buy a machine for an amazing deal and it will make money itself.
This business is not one for everyone. You need an eye for detail. You need passion. You need drive. You have to be willing to invest your money the right money and work hard and keep up with this industry to have it make money for you. Often people forget how it's not the Dealer's responsibility to have the machine make you money. It's yours. It's your dealer's job to sell you the RIGHT equipment. The rest relies on you.
Ask yourself, what are your reasons for getting into this business? If your answer is for every reason other than "to make more money" then welcome aboard..i'm sure you'll be fine. We're all here to make money, it's like stating the obvious.
As for dealers, they are there to show you the way..Take two dealers..you approach both of them with $30,000 in cash and you tell them "I just want to cut vinyl letters for signs but have no idea how much it costs"...The dealer who sells you a $6000 vinyl cutting package and sends you home with $24,000 in your hand...Or the guy who tells you, "you NEED the Roland XC-540 54" Printer Cutter"...Which one are you going to trust?