Testimonies from our Clients

I found the Stevens Group to be very helpful in the understanding of my employees and how they each think and operate in my small business environment. The Group provided good personalized surveys that led to great discussions and openness among the employees and me. I would highly recommend their services for any size business.
-Wayne C. Radwanski, DDS
Austin, Texas

Comments from our Professional Development

"Thanks for the course! You have lots to offer in the Realtor community and others as well. Keep up the good work!"
-Roselind Hejl, CRS weloveaustin.com

"I thought that this was a wonderful class!!! Thanks so much."
-Carol Strickland, Amelia Bullock Realtors

"Great instructor, positive, knowledgeable."

"Should be a required course! Great to make me stop and think. High energy and applicable to personal life and business."

"Really enjoyed it, Darrin- You're wise beyond your years!"
-Kay Andrews, Broker

"This was a top rate learning experience- Fun! Credible- easy to identify with his examples- and participatory."

Accolades from our Academic Teaching

San Bolkan

University of Texas, Austin
“Professor Bolkan, I wanted to email you to thank you for being a great teacher this semester. I learned a lot in your class and on top of that it was 10-fold more enjoyable than any of my other classes. I also want to thank you for taking time to meet with me, giving me advice about interviewing. I got accepted to the UT pharmacy school because of your advice. My interview went great and next year I'll be attending the 2nd best pharmacy school in the country. Thanks for everything!”

“Professor Bolkan, running into you today reminded me of something I forgot to tell you something from last semester: Thank you. I don't know if I told you but I really loved your class. I've told everyone that is thinking about CMS to take it with you because they'll get the most out of it and enjoy it more. More than calculus, more than psychology, even more than economics (and I'm a finance major) I enjoyed what I was learning in your classroom. And the reason I say thank you is because I realize that that kind of experience is not necessarily guaranteed in college. Your personality, your energy, your creativity, your teaching style, and your sense of humor are what made the class special. So thank you San. Your class is what makes UT a world class institution.”

“San, The advice totally helped! In fact, I think that everything I learned from your class was a major part of my acceptance. Last year, UH was my first interview and I was VERY nervous, unsure of my answers, etc. This year, the personal interview was awesome, the group meeting went very smoothly and I was able to help guide the group towards mutual decisions. I was a lot more confident and assertive with my answers. Thanks for a great course!”

“Hi San, I just wanted to let you know that your class was one of my favorites of all my time at UT. In fact, believe it or not, your class influenced me on my major. I'll be pursuing a degree in Corporate Communications. Thanks!”

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
"Dr. Bolkan, I would like to thank you for your help and guidance in class. Not many professors push their students as hard as you to do their best anymore. I learned more in your classes than most of my others combined. I really enjoyed your class this semester and find it amazing how much I can relate it to my life."

"Dr. Bolkan, I just wanted to thank you for making this a fun and yet informative class. I feel that I learned so much and enjoyed the class the entire semester."

Darrin Griffin

UT Austin McCombs School of Business, MBA Plus Program
When my Global Business Challenge team suggested we meet with a communication coach, I thought it sounded a little amateur. I considered communication my strength and didn't think spending two hours with a coach during a 12-hour, all-nighter case competition was justified. I was wrong. Darrin met us off-campus and was immediately able to give specific direction and advice that we used to shape our presentation. His laid-back demeanor and encouragement helped give us the confidence we needed to pull together and brand ourselves as a team. Our time spent with Darrin definitely paid off, in fact, the judges praised us on our communication skills and team synergy... right after they awarded us FIRST-PLACE in the competition! Thanks Darrin, we couldn't have done it without you!
-Will Bridges
University of Texas McCombs School of Business, MBA - Class of 2011

Hi Darrin, We would like to thank you for coaching us in preparation for Global Business Challenge. As I mentioned to you on the phone yesterday, we did win the first place! The Global Business Challenge was such an awesome experience. When we finished delivering our presentation on the first round, the judge appraised us for “coming together as a team”. One of the judges even mentioned that our spacing and our posture were perfect! Thank you again Darrin for your coaching and we’re looking forward to work together with you again!
-Thresia Nurhayati
University of Texas McCombs School of Business, MBA - Class of 2011

Darrin was fantastic and my entire team was very thankful for his assistance. He went
above and beyond what he "had" to do. He treated us as peers and equals. His feedback
and instruction were delivered and received without question or objection. I very much
enjoyed and learned a great deal from the session.
-Brett Oliver
University of Texas McCombs School of Business, MBA - Class of 2010

Texas State University, San Marcos
"Darrin displays the qualities, charisma, and adaptability of a natural born educator. From day one he informed us on what was to be expected out of class from its students. If any problem came up, it was swiftly addressed and clarified. Professor Griffin made every class lecture memorable as well as entertaining, informative and honest. He really made it a pleasure to attend class. Few teachers have as much of an impact on their students as I believe Professor Griffin has had."

"Darrin, I just wanted to say thanks for all you did for me this semester. I have struggled for years knowing that I was going to eventually have to take this class. I really thought my fear of public speaking was going to hold me back in my career, so I decided to go ahead and take this class and just deal with it. Lucky for me, you were our teacher. I'm not sure if I could have completed this class with anybody else teaching it. You made me feel comfortable and your encouragement throughout the semester was something that I needed. I now feel that I can move forward in my career without dreading the day that I may have to stand up in front of a group. So again, thank you."

St. Edward’s University, Austin
"As a student, it has always been important to me that my teachers do not hesitate to communicate with me. In class Darrin has shown the ability to create a relaxed, but exciting atmosphere that encourages communication between all who are present. By his example, I have learned the effective communication skills that have already begun to change my life. I am glad to find a teacher who I can continue to learn from."

Concordia University Texas, Austin
"Professor Griffin is an amazing professor and would be of great value to you. His desire to instill a love for learning in his students and his great energy are two important qualities he possesses. Professor Griffin goes over and beyond his call of duty. He is always willing to take the extra step to communicate clearly with each student and provide a comfortable, learning environment."

"Professor Griffin has an indescribable presence in the classroom. He makes everyone feel comfortable and assures everyone that they can come to him about anything, that he is not only there as an educator, but also as someone to guide us and be our mentor. I feel lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to recommend such a fantastic professor, and any university that he teaches at will be lucky to have him."

"I think that the most amazing testament to Darrin’s success as a professor is the progress every single student in the class made this semester. We just wrapped up our final speeches, and I could see, even from the viewpoint of a student, that we had all turned into successful speakers, despite our apparent lack of experience and knowledge on the subject at the beginning of the semester. This is due completely to Darrin and his constant willingness to make the subject matter applicable and relatable. Darrin is a great professor because of his relatable personality, enthusiasm, willingness to work with his students, and ability to make the topics in his class applicable to real life."