Mountaincatcher,
You may not be seeing many video shops simply because the largest video MSCs almost never put their shops on job boards. You can arrange to do a test video, with borrowed equipment to send to them (they will share it, I think) and then see what they might have near you to make buying equipment worth while. However, to really make video pay well, more travel overnight may be necessary. I know there are video shops in Roanoke, because I have been paid to travel all the way from MD to do them. The same with other western and central VA locations. Lots of video all over Ohio!
In spring 2018, the IMSC will hold a shopper conference with lots of training available in Atlanta. Perhaps you should consider attending if you want to really ramp up your MS earnings. And the top video MSCs and the top retailer of acceptable video equipment will be there!
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.