Steven Davis has come a long way from the man who could have been voted “Most Awkward on Campus.” Over and over, he's reached out for ways to change and grow. He also credits the people who helped him along the way: a dad who let him tinker with cars and taught him hands-on logic, a wrestling coach at Corvallis High School who instilled confidence, his teachers of martial arts, yoga, meditation, and eastern philosophy who taught him great mental and physical discipline, and a California sales manager who shared the simple concepts of being honest and being yourself.

Today, Steven Davis repays his mentors by helping others. A natural teacher, he believes everyone can turn weaknesses into strengths. “When I was younger, I was the ultimate shy guy,” he says. “I never dated, never even talked to girls.” It took him many years to get over his social awkwardness. He wants to give other shy guys a chance to do better than he did - and do it sooner.

That philosophy is driving The Shy Man's Dating School, founded by Davis last year. “I see my old self in these men who come to me,” he says. “Shy to the point of paralysis, so overcome with fear that they can't see the possibilities that are under their noses. We all need to connect with people,” he continues. “Everyone deserves love.”

Davis, the creator of “The Art of Sales,” a well-received, highly effective training program for people in sales, has now designed this course to help shy men learn how to interact with women and have fun doing it. In a supportive environment that uses improv and role playing, his students practice the flirting game. They're coached on how to approach a woman and how to deal with rejections. They learn how to read and interpret a woman's body language. Most of all, they learn to stop trying to be Mr. Suave. By interacting with others in class, they discover their own strengths and learn to present themselves honestly. Davis maintains this is the absolute key to success.

“I'm not offering a dating service,” he says. “This is also not the typical course for guys who can already navigate introductions and conversations. My course is for the others - the ones who are too shy to even begin.” After only one class, students leave with new skills, and they see a difference right away. “In fact,” Davis continues, “they'll see a difference in all aspects of their lives. We're social animals. We need to relate comfortably to each other. Once we're comfortable and honest with others, every part of life gets easier.”