Well, very original post for HN. Even considering, I myself was deeply involved in beekeeping. I even now eventually consider to become beekeeper ;)
What I think, seriously, I started beekeeping from two hives (one initially was empty).
Unfortunately, this was initiative of my grandfather, but other relatives was not interested in this, so after his death they just sold all tools and forgot about it. And I was not successful enough, to save anything.
So, primary question, You should have strong enough income, to pay this business payments, and still have normal life and make adequate savings.
If You have bold answer on overall finance question, could proceed next questions (but will return there).
Next, as I read from Your answers, this planned to give wholesale amount of beans, this is not small business.
This mean, You need not only knowledge about gathering trees and keeping them, but also, warehouse management, marketing, and selling beans on agricultural stock exchange, and medium size business management.
So, that is list, of what to learn:
- gathering trees and keeping them
- warehouse management
- marketing
- agricultural stock exchange
- medium size business management
And the last advice, from my own business management experience - to maximize probability of success, You should start all these activities immediately, don't wait until Your own beans will grow. I mean, start just tomorrow, buy beans directly from other bean producer (buy on stock exchange is not so good for learning) and process them and sell.