I think the main requirement for success in business is personal connections. If you have a lot of personal connections then you can get people to help you and you can find opportunities through other people. If you don't have a lot of personal connections, then I suggest you start networking any way you can. I am in this situation and I am constantly trying to find tolerable people to work with which is difficult in a world of scum. The business scum in Silicon Valley have a huge advantage over someone like me because they are so well networked.