Your research is wrong Matalice. I have an ATPL (A) with thousands of hours and a PPL(H) and I can assure you that you need a minimum of 135 hours heli including a 30 hour CPL course. This is the MINIMUMS.
If your "friend" needs a pilot now why would he look at you just starting training and months/years away from licence issue?
OR....In the USA you can get a CPL(H) with as little as 50ish hours I believe, with fixed wing hours. Try getting employed though!