I'm trying to get back into crafting; all the stuff I bought 15-20 years ago from Q or Ballen & Arry I had in the loft and apart from a few dried up items it's all stored perfectly. I haven't watched much craft telly either in the intervening years, so I'm finding my way around the C&C and Hobby Maker websites like a novice; I might wander over the the Craft Telly forum for a mooch.
So I'm starting with an Anna Griffin Xmas TSV from Lord knows when and, although I find her card samples too fussy, it means her elements go a very long way.
The Crafters' Companion "style" also isn't really me either, so if I buy anything it might not be a kit; more likely I'd just buy odd items direct or from ebay. Their best demonstrator is Craig - very clear and easy to listen too, I find Debbie (not Bibby) rather jarring and loud...I'm not sure it's all down to Scottish accent versus Estuary accent, because I'm surrounded by the latter here in Sussex.
The last time I crafted in earnest die-cutting was more niche and I still have a Quickutz hand tool (stop tittering!) and a Revolution which still works for lots of dies as long as they fit on the 4" x 12" platform. As Merryone said, I mostly cut out items by hand back in the day. I rather like the process so I don't want to churn out lots of identikit cards quickly.
Regardless of Sara and others saying you can sell cards for a few quid each, I'm not sure. Every school or church fete near me and a few post office counters have unsold home made cards that don't sell for <50p each. As a business designing and flogging craft supplies would seem to be the better business model sadly.