[torben-friis]

how does one even begin to become known in a scene if you don't even know where (or if) it exists?

Not that I'm planning to purchase any of those services of course, I'm just curious because it sounds like there's no possible starting point, unless by pure chance one of your personal friends happens to be already involved in the area and lets you know.

[colinmhayes]

Dark web markets have escrow systems as well as review systems which show how much each customer paid for the service. One can see if a vendor is well reviewed and it's unlikely the reviews are astroturfed if they are on large transactions because the fees on these markets are relatively high.

[malaya_zemlya]

you start working through an established escrow service, and gain positive feedback on darknet platforms. You can also do what above-ground companies do and promote yourself via ads, branding and so forth. At the very least that signals you've invested serious money into your image and are therefore unlikely to disappear overnight.

[doublerabbit]

There is a very easy starting point. Google

Use the phrase "darknet" then just apply the word "markets" and you'll already started the jump down the rabbit hole.

[WJW]

You pointed out the possible starting point yourself: one of your acquaintances is already involved with the scene. That seems quite sufficient for the scene to keep existing.