New Squad Starting W/ Established Dance Studio-questions

[Katrina Beckham Smith]

Hello! I am working with an established dance studio to start a new All Star Squad. We currently don't have one in our town and the closet gym/squad is an hour away. I don't expect anything huge but there are some questions I have researched but can't find the answers to.

1. Do you have to have USASF coach credentials in order to compete in levels 3 or higher? If not how does that process work for entering competitions?
2. Where should I start with competitions (as in searching out those which will be best for us) & how many do you recommend each year?
3. Is there any advice you can give me for things that worked for you or didn't work for you?
4. What was your first year like if you started from nothing to create a squad?

Thanks so much!