Who actually gets deals done?

The people who actually get deals closed in ETA aren’t always the ones everyone predicts. I’ve found the people who close are part of the gritty, “find a way” crowd - the ones who’ll cold‑call 200 owners or drive four hours for a tour of the seller’s sweaty warehouse. Sure, there are table stakes. Lenders like to see real P&L experience and proof you can manage people and money. But a degree or polished title isn’t what produces the best entrepreneurs. Some of the best buyers I’ve seen have MBAs or blue‑chip backgrounds; but plenty don’t. That’s the point. If you’re weighing a search, remember the “E” in ETA is Entrepreneurship. The market rewards execution, persistence, and the willingness to look silly (or like the dumbest person in the room) while you figure it out. What’s the best “pound‑the‑pavement” story you’ve seen from a buyer?