-learn objective-c yes there is no way around it! try rewriting your favorite python or C example to get your head around some of the translation
-stackoverflow is your friend
-it's easier to get started working without Interface builder, so you can do that just to learn a thing or two with a sample app but then do the same thing using IB; it will be quicker and cleaner in the end. this may be the hardest thing to start to wrap your mind around as it involves lots of clicking and less hacking
-design is everything. if you really want a quality app it's key to go from the bare bones to something a designer put skill into. once you get the hang of IB this can be a quick and amazing makeover. find a good designer to collaborate with.
What I did was make a simple app highlighting each skill I wanted to learn (Tables, Pickers, etc.).
Realize that a lot more time than you think will go into submitting to the store, provisioning, and getting your ducks in order there. Don't leave one hour to do this the first time. Also don't asume because it was easy the first time it will be the next. XCode gets very confused with multiple provisioning profiles sometimes. Things expire. etc.
I read the O'Reilly iOS book and Tapworthy along the way. And an Objective-C book or two; but I don't remember which.