Stephen Finch, MBA
Senior Adjunct Faculty Member
sfinch@callutheran.edu
Simi Valley
About
My first entrepreneurial business was opened in the early 70's. With phenomenal success, additional ventures were undertaken over the next ten years involving restaurant, clothing, manufacturing and services industries. There were, of course, some failures. These were, in many ways, the most beneficial experiences. These early ventures were on the East coast. However, in time, California beckoned (mostly the weather) and, after selling several homes and all of the businesses, the west coast became home. California has proven to have many challenges with its' diversity of ideas and its' unique outlook on businesses. Since finance is an integral part of any business venture, finance became my prime focus. After attaining an advanced degree and spending many years providing financial advice and services, the idea of sharing some of these experiences opened the door to teaching at a post-secondary school level. Financial planning, business entrepreneurship and organizational structures are all part of higher educational goals, which makes teaching at CLU is an ideal fit.
Always remember that motivational keys to success are not as obvious as one might believe and often (not always, but often) they are found by trial and error. Because of this somewhat random approach, it is imperative for students of finance to enter the classroom with an open mind and a willingness to discover new and creative ways to manage the many financial challenges each of us faces on a daily basis. Learning from the challenges others have faced rather than stumbling with blinders into the financial world shall undoubtedly improve your opportunities for a rewarding and successful life.
Teaching provides a fantastic opportunity for me to share some of my experiences with those truly seeking to understand the world of finance.
Education
Fairleigh Dickinson University
NYU
Rutgers
California Lutheran University
Expertise
As with our other Adjuncts and Senior Adjuncts, my passion is teaching. I am fortunate in that my varied careers have provide an enormous wealth of insight into the mechanics of business success as well as business failure. Although my teaching career at CLU is a scant eleven years, in business one teaches every day of the week, year in and year out. And my business career is over Forty years long. This is where experience pays off and this is the insight I share with my students.