Forged For Greatness Ep. 6 | From Candy Hustle to Closing Homes with Stephen Vanness

At just a young age, Stephen Van Ness learned something most people never do…Before real estate, before listings, before commissions — there was a school bus… and a tackle box full of candy.Selling candy to classmates wasn’t just a way to make a few dollars. It was the beginning of a mindset — one built on hustle, independence, and the desire to create financial freedom for himself and his future family.But fast forward to his early 20s, stepping into real estate in Sussex County and Morris County, New Jersey… things didn’t come easy.Stephen had no problem getting in the room.No problem booking appointments.No problem building relationships.But when it came time to close?He failed.Again.And again.And again.After losing 4, 5, even 6 deals in a row, he hit a breaking point — questioning everything and wondering if he was cut out for it.In this episode of Forged for Greatness, Stephen shares:How a childhood candy hustle shaped his entrepreneurial mindsetThe painful lessons of failing to close deals early in his careerWhat kept him from quitting when things weren’t workingAnd how he turned those losses into the foundation of his successThis is a story about resilience, growth, and what it really takes to build something from nothing.🎧 If you’re an entrepreneur, salesperson, or someone chasing something bigger — this episode is for you.