I'd say try to apprentice with a local dj who will let you ride shotgun on a gig with them. Don't do anything other than help them when asked, ask questions, be observant.
Before you buy any gear, start with a business plan. Look into the competition in the area. DO SOME RESEARCH. Find your event type focus.
Don't buy equipment from retiring DJ's unless it's top tier, as equipment used for gigs gets beaten up on a regular basis.
Things you will need before you start:
A business plan with quarterly/yearly goals
Business Licence and Tax ID (to cya for the feds)
Dj Liability insurance (to cya in general)
A solid dependable mode of transport with dry room for gear
Ask yourself this question:
Are you doing this because you think it's easy, or it's easy money? If yes to either, stop.
Being a mobile is neither. It's hard work, and so many people try and get into it because they dl a bunch of mp3s, have a laptop and some speakers, and think sh*t is so cash. They find out that it's not so easy and most of them bow out of the game.
You have to be a salesman, a showman, a music lover and a gearhead among other things. You have to enjoy talking to people and playing a crowd, but not so much as to be in love with your own voice. You have to be strict with your practices, loose with the crowd. You can't hide behind a facade and mumble, and you have to be a leader.
One last thing. People have long memories about bad experiences. The internet's even longer. Remember that.
