Maybe you don't like different viewpoints on this forum and would like to start a members only echo chamber for yourself to confirm your biases.How am I not successful in Real Estate? 

Check in with your local Chamber of Commerce and ask about real estate groups or mentors. 

Send him a letter, emphasize that you are personally yourself the end-buyer, include proof of funds, include something attesting to you being financeable (unless your proof of funds is for the full cash purchase price).If he owns 20 local businesses, good chance he's in at least one chamber of commerce, and if he's not, he 100% knows people that are, who will spill the beans and offer to do an intro if you mention you're interested in buying a gas station over a beer or a meal (there's probably like 3 people in that city that fit this description, why not get introduced to all 3?)

Is there a Veterans Chamber of Commerce in your area?

Also speak with the economic dept, Chamber, and any business incubators in the area.

Smith, Tyson, Schneider Electric, Hankook Tire, General Mills, Mars…to name a few (Chamber).Food!

Chamber of commerce and all that jazz.

I use Census data, Bureua of Labor Statistics, Chamber of Commerce info, and city websites.

Some of the countries finest beaches including but not limited to Pensacola, Navarre, and Destin are 3 or so hours from Montgomery for easy weekend trips to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.The City of Montgomery is the Capital of Alabama with a robust economic environment that has produced multiple awards of excellence at the Chamber of Commerce level.

Join groups- chamber of commerce, real estate groups, 14.