You would need to start an online or local wireless multiplayer game to be able to make multiple custom characters, with the help of other players (or at least other Switches).
On PC it is possible to drop the resolution and start multiple instances of the game on the same system to join in a LAN game long enough to get through character creation. It would require the Steam version of the game to sync that save to Switch, though, using the cross save feature. Since you mentioned also having a console version, but not Steam, it doesn't sound like that is an option.
Once you get off of the island of Fort Joy, there are henchmen you can hire.