Welcome MJHellmann! We are glad to have you join us! I did exactly the same thing. I joined beemaster before I obtained my first bee 🐝. And like your circumstances, Beemaster was recommended to me as well.
As you say, there are a lot of different opinions and ways to go about everything in the hobby. what one person may prefer as a means in obtaining a goal, another may have a different way of obtaining that same goal. As you progress, you might wish to try different methods just to see for yourself, what method may work better for you in your location. One thing you will find here at Beemaster, even with different methods, we have good intentioned members here who are eager to help!
You are very fortunate to have a hands on mentor. I did not have this luxury when I started, so I adopted the members here at beemaster as my mentors! This was a good decision!
Also, you will find most valuable information here in the Beemaster Archives! If your questions are not answered to your satisfaction, simply use that search tool and help yourself to a vault of almost limitless, locked in real time, discussion packed with valuable information!
Thanks for climbing aboard the Beemaster Bee site, and never hesitate to ask any questions you may have! We love to help!
Sincerely,
Phillip