s#!t for brains and relentless dedication and a willingness to help out a young kid who is a bit overwhelmed and not asking for anything in return and getting a bunch of equally dedicated other guys to do the same thing , even though they to are overwhelmed and have a bunch of other stuff to do. A bit of tenacity and sticktoitness.
Hmmm.... Patience for a bunch of impatient customers? Time, and plenty of it? An understanding of not knowing how you're going to pay for your next meal, let alone the roof over your head or last night's bar tab? MORE time and patience?
Wait, are we talking about making knives or "becoming a chef"?