Multitasking~
In niff: I used to sell leeches, and sell custom characters. Occasion pair up with a bio friend and a HP friend.
MVP runs
Vending in town, got some very memorable deals with miss slotted and priced weapons
Ingredients wise, you get to know whats required for what after a while. Eventually you'll realise, "oh hey I have half the ingredients for a XXXX in here". Helping friends out with their SQIs helps, being in a WoE guild requiring that class helps, making an SQI with someone else helps, daring each other to make SQIs in the shortest length of time helps.
I would have to agree with making SQIs being a curve, I made three SQIs in a month then left it for a good half year, before making another two in the same month.