The Art of Building Brands and Communities

The Art of Building Brands and Communities

Morganne Stewart is a creative strategist, entrepreneur, and marketing leader with more than a decade of experience building brands, leading high-impact initiatives, and connecting business, creativity, and community. She is the founder of Morganne Stewart Creative, where she partners with brands, founders, and organizations on brand strategy, creative direction, marketing, and storytelling. Her work spans industries including higher education, media, healthcare, hospitality, and consumer brands. She is also currently developing the note, a creative concept centered around connection, storytelling, and curated experiences. Previously, Morganne served as Director of Marketing and Business Development and Director of Programming at the SMU Spears Institute, where she led entrepreneurship-focused programs, strategic partnerships, executive engagement initiatives, and large-scale events connecting students with influential leaders across Dallas and beyond. During her time at SMU, she played a key role in expanding the Institute’s visibility and strengthening its relationships within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She earned her MBA from SMU in 2024. Morganne has also worked with brands and organizations including D Magazine, American Airlines, Lucchese Bootmaker, and CNN+, bringing a strong background in branding, experiential marketing, and creative leadership. She remains actively involved in the Dallas entrepreneurial community and is passionate about fostering innovation, meaningful connections, and the next generation of business leaders.

Inside the Growing Ceramics Scene in Dallas | Marcello Andres Ceramics

This week on SMU Stories, we sat down with SMU alum Marcello Andres Ortega, founder of Marcello Andres Ceramics and a Dallas-based ceramic artist redefining functional design. After earning his degree in economics and finance from SMU, Marcello began his career in business before returning to the craft he first discovered in high school. Today, his work is featured in restaurants across Dallas, including Beverley’s—his first restaurant client—as well as Normans and Written by the Seasons. His Cedars studio also hosts “Kiln to Table,” a dinner series that brings chefs and guests together around custom, handcrafted tableware. Inspired by the family-style dinners of his Chilean upbringing, Marcello’s work centers on connection, community, and shared experience. He now creates artful dinnerware for homes and restaurants nationwide. His studio offers monthly workshops and a retail collection available both in-store and online. Visit the studio: Wed–Thu: 12–6 PM Fri–Sun: 10 AM–4 PM Visit marcelloandres.com to explore upcoming workshops, shop the collection, or book a private event. #smu #SMUAlum #1911Group #Dallas #DFW

Building Legacies That Last: Inside Boswell PLLC | Aubrey Boswell

This week on SMU Stories we sat down with Aubrey Boswell (’06, ’09), an alumnus of Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business and Dedman School of Law, and Founder of Boswell PLLC, to talk about estate planning, probate, and high level trust work. Based in Dallas, Boswell PLLC helps clients organize their estates, plan generational wealth transfers, and handle complex situations like blended families, business succession, and trust disputes. The firm represents clients with more than $5 billion in combined wealth. Aubrey chose this field after seeing how much these decisions affect families long term. He focuses on building clear plans and stepping in when problems arise, including litigation when needed. Before starting his firm, he spent over a decade working with top estate attorneys in Dallas and advising clients across a wide range of wealth levels. He is board certified in estate planning and probate law and is also both a licensed attorney and CPA. In this episode, Aubrey breaks down: -Common mistakes people make with estate planning -What actually goes into protecting a legacy -How disputes unfold and get resolved -Why his accounting background matters in legal strategy -What it takes to work with high net worth clients

Inside Shug’s Bagels: Building a Dallas Staple | Justin Shugrue

This week on SMU Stories we sat down with Justin Shugrue (’17), an SMU Cox School of Business alumnus and Founder of Shug’s Bagels, to discuss his transition from finance to establishing a Dallas staple. Originally from Westchester, New York, Justin grew up immersed in the local bagel and deli culture. While he initially pursued a traditional corporate finance path at SMU, he found those roles unfulfilling. After identifying a lack of authentic Northeastern "bodega culture" in Dallas, he spent his senior year developing the business plan for what would become Shug’s. Shug’s Bagels has grown by focusing on operational simplicity, product quality, and a strategy of slow, purposeful growth. By avoiding institutional investors, Justin maintains full control over food and service standards, ensuring each new location functions as a community asset. In the episode, Justin breaks down the realities of the startup phase—from the "fake it till you make it" approach of securing a lease while raising capital, to the importance of mentorship found through cold outreach to local leaders. He also discusses the brand’s expansion into New Orleans, Austin, and Fort Worth, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of SMU entrepreneurs. Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

SMU Alum Ryan Ball (’08) on Buying and Transforming Rockwall Services

This week on SMU Stories we sat down with Ryan Ball (’08), an SMU Lyle School of Engineering alumnus and CEO of Rockwall Services, to talk about his path from engineering to entrepreneurship. Ryan shares how his mechanical engineering degree shaped the way he approaches problem solving, even though he quickly realized the traditional engineering path was not the right fit for him. After early roles in film distribution, software ventures, and consulting, he pursued an MBA at McCombs and eventually took the entrepreneurial route through a search fund, acquiring Rockwall Services in 2023 after reviewing 37 potential deals.Rockwall Services has gone from a traditional freight brokerage firm to a fractional transportation department offering a full suite of a la carte services to its partners including being able to provide a complete bolt on white labeled logistics department to any organization. Rockwall Services also serves as the R&D lab for Remington Software, helping to create the logistics ERP ecosystem for the future.In the episode, Ryan breaks down the realities of freight logistics, the importance of clear communication in business, and why some of the best opportunities exist in essential industries that rely on outdated systems and processes. He also discusses how improving software, user interface and user experience design, and operational systems can unlock major growth in traditional sectors.Hear from Ryan Ball about his journey from SMU to leading multiple businesses, as well as the advice he has for future generations.