We were lucky to catch up with Steven Havens recently and have shared our conversation below.
Steven, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?
There are many things that American education systems do very well. However, providing financial literacy has not historically been one of these things. 18 & 19 year old young adults are tasked with making decisions that often cost them thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars, and yet we do not prepare them adequately to understand the impact that simple decisions can have on their lifetime financial health.
For example, as a society, we allow students to borrow increasingly large amounts of money without ever ensuring they understand how missing a single payment on that loan can have rippling effects for years. These effects can cost them enormous sums of money. But there is no financial literacy section on the SAT, or ACT.
Financial literacy classes should be mandatory at the junior and senior level of high school, and a requirement for anyone taking on a student loan. There should also be mandated requirements for loan providers to require proof of completion for financial literacy classes before approving a loan for adults under the age of 25. Understanding how credit works, what saving for retirement means, how loans work… these are all basic knowledge gaps that, when closed, can have significant impacts on breaking cycles of poverty and wealth inequality. As such, these mandates will have a disproportionally greater positive impact on marginalized communities.
I am so passionate about this, because learning this information at a young age did just that for me- it helped pull be out of generational poverty, providing me the knowledge necessary to make better choices in my financial life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My background is personal and business finance. I worked for over 15 years in the banking industry before deciding on a mid-life career change. I went to culinary school, earning degrees in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. I started a small company, providing catering and private chef services as well as cooking classes.
While getting that business up and running, I decided to also return to school to get my Master’s Degree in Business. I leveraged this degree to become an adjunct college professor in business and personal finance.
The result is that I have two part-time jobs which speak to my passions and provide me the opportunity to create meaningful change in the lives of students.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn that hard work is what makes a person successful. It implies that there is a direct correlation between how hard someone works and their level of success.
While this sentiment may be well intentioned, it doesn’t account for the head start that some people have. It doesn’t account for natural talent and ability. It doesn’t account for the effects of institutional biases. It doesn’t account for different definitions of both “Success” and “Hard Work.”
I had to learn that my place in the world as a white male puts me ahead. I had to learn that my definition of success is valid, even if it doesn’t match a traditional definition.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I currently have over 250 5 star reviews. Until the past month, 100% of my reviews were 5 stars, until a client who was upset about a situation that was out of my control used the review process to express her dissatisfaction, despite having never used my services. And unfortunately, I could not get her review taken down.
This prompted me to really examine why 100% of my clients felt compelled to give me a 5 out of 5 star review. After reflection, what I realized is that it’s because I listen to my clients to understand their needs/problems and likes/dislikes. I don’t cook and teach what I like, I do what they want and help them with areas they are struggling. And I always keep things as accessible for clients as possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chefsteveneats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefsteveneats/
- Facebook: n/a
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-havens-237470287/
- Twitter: n/a
- Other: AirBNB Experiences:
https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1352213?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=c175a64c-90c1-4d71-a78a-fba8033901f8
Trip Advisor/Viator:
https://www.viator.com/tours/Portland/Grilling-Techniques-Class-with-Chef-Steven-in-Portland-OR/d5065-438179P1?campaign=%3A9acd8c5b-30dc-4664-99c1-95fd79ab310c&pid=P00082420&mcid=42383&medium=social-share-copy
