> I’ve had sales people tell me to my face that they are the most important part of the business and the actual product or services is not that important.

Same here. This happened when I was 22 years old I didn't want to believe it.

BUT, I've seen far more shitty codebases win marketplaces with strong sales & marketing, than I've seen stellar codebases with shitty sales & marketplaces win marketplaces.

It's unfortunately really that simple.