which seems easier to start, and later become independents to make more money and get better management of their own time?

Any thoughts?

mostly..they have to learn the ropes somewhere..

As macdaddy said, they have to learn the ropes somewhere.  I wouldn't recommend that anyone start out totally on their own, no matter how savy they think they are.  I just read recently (may have actually been on this board) about a young lady whose first client convinced (read that bullied) her into believing that everyone does BBFS.  Not knowing any better, she complied.  Then, at least she had the good sense to ask and get some advice because it didn't feel right.  But the deed was done and she had to go get tested.  She learned a very hard lesson that could have been avoided.  Not a big fan of agencies, too much like stables IMO.  But you gotta have some game before going on your own.

As some of the others have said.  It's easier to start with an agency (or parlour for that matter), just to give you an insight into the business.  When I first started out I looked up indies in my area and asked if any were willing to give advice, meet up etc, but I got very little help.  I didn't know about forums at this point, so ended up with an agency.  It soon became apparent that the agency didn't have my safety at heart.  I spoke to other girls there and although some were happy to work for the agency, others were not and quickly moved on.  I was there for a couple of months getting as much information as I could from the girls, before I moved on and became indie myself.

And they also don't know the ropes.  The quickest way to tap into the rolodex is to use an agency.

Pretty simple.

Independent from day one and wouldn't have it any other way.  No way in hell any "manager" is getting a dime of what I make.  Figured it out as I went and no regrets.

How every lady started out in this business is completely different, depending on which lady you talk to, lol. You will get 100 different answers from 100 different ladies. I personally started at a MP, then went independent with a friend/agency for a couple months, then went completely independent.