Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Dev H of Nothern VA

Dev H shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Dev, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now starts early, balancing life as a wife, mother, and businesswoman. I’m usually up making sure my teenager is on track for school and my fifth grader has everything she needs for the day. Mornings are a mix of breakfast, quick check-ins, and those little reminders that moms are famous for.

Once the kids are settled, I shift into business mode managing calls, planning, and keeping things organized so both home and work all flow smoothly. Even with his busy schedule, my husband and I share responsibilities, and I’m grateful we can lean on each other to keep our household running.

Evenings we focus on homework, dinner together, and catching up on everyone’s day. Sometimes it’s busy and a little chaotic, but I try to stay present and create a sense of stability for my family while also nurturing the business I’m passionate about.

Every day feels full, but it’s rewarding because I get to show up for my children, my marriage, and my purpose. We also get to be present for our children to fulfill their dreams and goal. Whether its sports or their own entrepreneurial journeys.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Devin Hancock, also known as Chef Dev H, and first and foremost, I am a wife and the proud mother of a teenager and an almost preteen lol. Family is the heartbeat of who I am, and it shapes the way I show up in everything I do.

Alongside my family, I pour myself into my business and ministry work. My brand focuses on events, hospitality, and creating meaningful experiences that bring people together. What makes it special is that it’s not just about planning an event, it’s about building moments of connection, inspiration, and care that people carry with them long after the day is over. I believe hospitality is a form of service, and I approach it with both excellence and heart.

What makes my journey unique is that it’s rooted in balance. I’m usually juggling motherhood, marriage, ministry, and entrepreneurship while staying true to my values. Right now, I’m working on expanding my brand to empower others in the area of events and hospitality, teaching that excellence in service can also be joyful and life giving.

At the core, my story is about faith, family, and creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that in order to “make it” in life, I had to work myself into the ground or that success only came through exhaustion and constantly proving myself. I thought rest was laziness and that being worthy meant always pushing harder.

Now, I no longer carry that belief. I’ve learned that true success is not about running myself ragged, but about balance, purpose, and grace. I understand that I can pursue my goals with excellence while also protecting my peace, caring for my family, and enjoying the life I’m building.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
After failing hard, or what I believed to be failure, I changed my mind about the idea that failure meant I wasn’t good enough. For a long time, I saw failure as a sign that I didn’t have what it takes. But going through those tough moments taught me that failure is actually feedback. It shows me what needs adjusting and pushes me to grow.

Now, I see failure as a steppingstone. Instead of beating myself up, I ask, “What can I learn from this? How can I do it differently next time?” That shift has given me resilience not only in business, but also as a wife and mother.

Every lesson is still a blessing.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is real, it’s who I truly am. It reflects my values, faith, and the heart I bring to my work in events, hospitality, and ministry. But it’s a small slice of a larger life. I don’t post every single struggle, every tired moment, or every hard conversation. Those private moments like having real conversations with my teenager or helping my fifth grader with homework or simply needing rest shape me in ways the public rarely sees.

I believe in showing up authentically, honestly and with excellence. But I also protect the parts of life that require quiet care. So yes: the public me is genuine, but the full me includes the ordinary, imperfect stuff that keeps me humble and helps me lead with compassion. That balance is intentional and it’s how I serve my family and my community well.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want it to be one of faithful service and unwavering love. Let people say I put family at the center and that I was a wife who partnered well, a mother who showed up even on the messy days, and someone who made a home a place of safety and laughter. Let them remember how I used my gifts in events, hospitality, and ministry to bring people together knowing that my work was always about connection, dignity, and creating moments that mattered.

I’d love for people to recall that I led with compassion and standards. I never lost my tenderness. That I paid attention to the small details that make people feel honored, and helped others believe they could do the same. And most of all, let them say I lived with faith and grace: I trusted God’s leading, owned my failures as lessons, and tried to leave every space better than I found it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chefdevhcateringco.com
• Instagram: Militarymomandmeals or chefdevh
• Facebook: chefdevh
• Youtube: @hancockfamilyvault8173