For example, when Tom Szaky worked throughout his spring break not just that but he was a freshmen, he was interested in making a medicine from a weed "yes that kind of weed" like the author stated. Which mean that it was dangerous to his health; he could have been get hurt while he is processing and making the medicine, yet he didn't care. Adding to that he was in his first year, so having fun and enjoying his time might been his main activity. But his passion, his commitment and his ambition were the things led him to accomplish what he was aiming to. I think that his intelligence as well as his geniality participated in his succession.
Other example, when Jeri Ellsworth taught herself how to make chips without even studying and learning the skills. This kind of skills need the appropriate environment, equipment and professional tutor to explain the methods and gives the exact direction to make it correctly. And be able to use it in the future.
Third reason is they never gave up on their dream and ambition. For example, when Ellsworth got rejected by many companies and refused to adopt her work. She might have been little disappointed, but she never stopped her work. Keep working and achieving her goal was the purpose, until a client toke the advantage of trying and examining her in