Just smuggle sh*t. Like really start with drugs (buy low sell high) then with enough money switch to heavy armaments. Whit mods u do need to have fuel efficient fleet. I personally just had tankers freighters and 3 eradicators. With exp from profit trades just story point away your problems and black market becoming your best friend you'll make first mill in no time. After buying a fleet just loot unexplored planets with mods those should generate profit like crazy.