For Latter-day Saints (Mormons), the entrepreneurship roots go back to the early church history. Between 1831-1847, members of the church established 4 settlements and were expelled from 3(Kirtland, OH; Western Missouri; Nauvoo, IL; Salt Lake City). These areas were all frontiers at the time, and grew to become the largest cities in their region, which drew fear and persecution from people in the surrounding areas. Salt Lake was many hundreds of miles from the closest white settlement, and Brigham Young intentionally assigned/coerced/funded as many crafts and industries as possible to reduce dependence on trade with the (indifferent to hostile) United States. And established dozens of settlements throughout the Mountain West. So you have generations of entrepreneurs that had a captive market that needed EVERYTHING, and only internal competition.
Also, many Latter-day Saints go on 2 year missions in their late teens/early 20s, where you mostly self-direct your proselyting in the area you are assigned to. Good sales experience, self-starting, persistence, etc.
The last point can't be overstated. Sales is largely about overcoming and largely overcoming rejection. After 1000 rejections, they roll off. Lots of people stop at the first or second.
I really liked the book The Mormon Way of Doing Business[1]. The central idea of the book is that a high commitment church like LDS is a great training ground for business with many examples including the mission example that you cite above.
I think having a tight-knit community of people willing to do each other favors in the face of a world that may not necessarily approve of your beliefs also plays a big part. Also true of both conservative/Orthodox Jews and Mormons.
Also, many Latter-day Saints go on 2 year missions in their late teens/early 20s, where you mostly self-direct your proselyting in the area you are assigned to. Good sales experience, self-starting, persistence, etc.
It's a potent combination for business.