Welcome to the hobby.
I've only entered into the hobby recently, but a few hints from someone making a similar journey.
Go over to the self help center and do some homework. The more experienced hobbyists and providers have very kindly left you a wealth of information there.
Take a look at the Newbies board. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask. You can also search any of the boards for specific terms, so that you don't ask a question covered ad nauseum a couple days before.
Lounge around the different regional and general interest boards and soak up the nuances of the hobbying world.
TER provider search is your friend. My personal standard is to see someone with no less than 8 reviews until I become much more experienced in the hobby. Read the reviews, go to their websites, google reverse image check photos, and google phone numbers and email addresses. Learn as much as you can for both safety and compatibility reasons. Check the number of reviews that reviewers have done when you read their reviews and see who they have visited.
I also look at the TER profiles of some of the frequent provider posters.
Get verified on Preferred411 and Date Check and stick with some of the newbie friendly providers.
And always be discreet, respectful and be a gentleman. There are some some really great people out here and I only know a small portion of that from my short time in the hobby.
Goog luck.