You have good advise to read the Self-Help section.  Besides that read back on this board...  until you can aswer every question yourself.  
It would help if you could get an experienced lady to mentor you on screening methods...  every lady does what she feels she needs to to feel safe...  but sensive information should not be discussed on a public forum.  There are screening services.  
Are you ready to lead a secret life?  You really need to keep this to yourself.   You need to keep your private life & professional life separate.  Separate email addresses & phones.  
The most important thing is to dedicate yourself to being great at what you do.  The business is not for everyone.  It need not be a life long carreer.  A lot of girls work their way through school.   You should safe money for life after your carreer.   You'll need to pay taxes (enterainer, hostest, consultant works).  Al Capone (& Richard Hatch from Survivor TV show) were busted for tax evasion.    
There's too much for a single post.  
You need a good education & reading these boards (it FREE!!) will give you a great start.
skb