MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
ECONOMY:
THE DALLAS ADVANTAGE By Layton Cox
Starting your Internship Search By Justin Wood Discover Dallas By Vithal Nainani Cox Travel: Asia A By Matt Smith
WELCOME Class of 2021
IN THIS ISSUE
1
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
IN THIS ISSUE
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
2 Letter from the Editor by Jourdan Spragins 5 Welcome Class of 2021 by Ben Kirby 7 Expert Tips from the Second Years 10 Summer Internship Reviews PWC Summer Associate by Layton Cox Goldman Sachs Associate by Kelsey Daugherty Eileen Fisher Product Development by Lillie Noe 13 Networking Advice from the Second Years 15 BLC Update by Kate Hoedebeck 17 Club Spotlight Business Aviation Cox Graduate Finance Association Net Impact Women in Business Pride @ Cox Meet your SAB 21 DFW Economy by Layton Cox 25 MBA Highlights 27 Cox Travels: Global Leadership Program - Asia A by Matt Smith 29 Discovering Dallas by Vithal Nainani, Kelsey Daugherty & Jourdan Spragins 31 Mustang Milestones On the cover: Arun Lamata, Kelsey Daugherty and Justin Wood Photo Credit: Layton Cox
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Fellow MBAs, Our team is excited to release the first issue of the Mustang Business Journal for the 2019-2020 academic school year. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, effort and talents to this issue. The Mustang Business Journal team could not have done it without the help of so many of you! The mission of the Mustang Business Journal is to prepare, inform, and motivate Cox MBAs through their educational journey, encouraging thriving students to become prosperous business leaders. We will release one issue each Module. I hope you find the content interesting and enjoyable and look forward to featuring even more of you in the next issue. Sincerely, Jourdan Spragins
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
2
WELC
Class o
COME
of 2021
INTRODUCTIONS
Dear Class of 2021, Welcome, Congratulations on beginning your journey here at the Cox School of Business! The class of 2020 is so excited to meet all of you. The knowledge you gain, connections you make and friendships you build here will be incredibly meaningful and last for the rest of your life. The SMU community is so grateful to have you on campus and are eager to bring you into the fold. As the Student Advisory Board President, I want to give you one piece of advice as you begin your MBA journey. Many current and former students will tell you to meet your classmates, network
5
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
and treat your MBA schedule like a fulltime job. All of that is fine, but tends to happen naturally as you progress as a student. What I suggest you do, is to set massive, farreaching goals for yourself and take steps, however small, to achieve them. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where you have the time and ability to take risks and accept challenges that you never thought possible. Go apply for an internship that you are sure you could never get, cold email that CEO that you are confident will never respond or take steps to start that business that has been burning in the
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
back of your mind. The bottom line is, push yourself outside of the box of things that you think are possible and you will be surprised at how much you can accomplish. Again, congratulations on beginning such an important stage of your career and development as a leader. I am confident all of you will achieve immense success and will be well on your way to becoming titans of business all across the world. If you ever need anything, the Class of 2020 is here to make sure you are successful, so please let us know! Pony Up! Ben Kirby
TIPS
YEAR ONE Tips for Survival
By: Kelsey Daugherty, 2YMBA 2020
Prioritization:
You will hear this a million times, but time management is paramount in business school. You will have so much on your plate from schoolwork, projects, community service obligations, clubs and organizations, to social and family events. Don’t try to join every club or spread yourself too thin. Dive into the handful of causes you care most about and give it your all. A useful rule of thumb that I followed last year was, join at least two “professional” clubs and one “fun” club. This allows you to really get involved in these clubs and get the most out of your membership. It was also helpful for me to carve out specific time outside of school. I shut off homework and club responsibilities every night from 7-9pm in order to focus my attention on my family and my puppy. If I still had homework to do after this window, I could jump back into it,
7
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
but having dedicated time to step away from business school obligations kept me balanced and free from burnout.
Don’t be afraid to raise your hand:
This goes for both asking for help and volunteering for leadership roles. I was hesitant last year to step up for leadership positions, because I thought other people would be more qualified. But, the truth is, you are a student at SMU and that alone makes you qualified for any club or Student Advisory Board leadership role. Also, there are no dumb questions. If you are confused, ask for clarification. Most likely scenario is that everyone around you is also confused. This is your education, so ask the questions to ensure you master the material in front of you.
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
TIPS Team work makes the dream work:
You will also hear this a million times, but your study group will be one of your best resources. You will be assigned group projects with this study group, but take it a step further and use this group to study for upcoming exams together or practice for interviews. Setting up regular meetings to share notes, work through practice problems, and discuss class topics will have a great impact on your learning experience at SMU. Studying on campus is also a great way to easily link up with students that are struggling through the same material you are. Book study rooms and grind through homework problems- it’s always more fun with friends around.
Leverage resources:
You have a whole team of resources behind you to ensure you succeed. Take advantage of them! Make appointments with the career center, meet with your professors, and utilize our alumni network. In prepping for internship interviews, I made the career center my best friend. I not only did mock interviews, but also talked through my specific career and personal goals in order to streamline my internship search approach. You will also find your professors really want to get to know YOU. One of my professors even offered to get dinner with us before our night classes each week. Another came on a walk with me and my puppy. They all are extremely intelligent and successful, so get to know them! The alumni network is also a great way for you to get to know firms you are interested in. Set up coffee chats with alumni that work at the places you are looking to intern at and use the SMU network to get in the door.
Avoid Comparison:
Imposter Syndrome is REAL in business school. It’s easy to look around and think that all of your classmates have it all figured out and wonder how you were ever let in the door. But, the secret is that no one knows what they are doing and business school is all about learning as you go. This is almost everyone’s first exposure into business focused classes- you are not the only one that feels like accounting is a whole new language! It’s also important to not compare your timeline, especially in internship recruitment, to your classmates’. Timelines for recruitment vary across industries (banking, consulting, marketing, etc) and even between firms of the same industry. I interned at the same firm as a classmate, but we both got our offers months apart from each other! Don’t start to get stressed when it seems like everyone is getting internship offers but you. Keep the focus and realize that MOST students won’t nail down an internship until late spring. Comparing your journey to your peers can be stressful and unproductive.
Dive deep:
You have two years on campus at business school, so make the most of it. Take classes you find fascinating, try out clubs that spark your interest, and explore the city you are in. Get to know your classmates and learn about their backgrounds. This city, this school, and these classmates are YOURS for the next two years! Go to the football tailgates, join in on the happy hours, try restaurants, explore new running trails, and take part in community events. Challenge and push yourself because business school offers you the best framework for you to do just that.
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
8
Words from the Wise BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Things will feel crazy and overwhelming at times, but make time for what makes you happy. Go to the gym, watch that guilty pleasure TV show, go to happy hours and hang out with your amazing classmates etc.” - Valerie Pizzato, MAMBA 2020 “Tips on how to spend your first year: Study hard, network, but most importantly have some fun and make new friends! Time goes by fast, so make every moment count!” - Andrei Bucur, JBDMA 2019 “Find a second year Mentor. This person can help you balance your schedule and prioritize the multiple streams of advice you will be getting all year. They’ve been through this before and want to help.“ - Brian Washington, 2YMBA 2020
9
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
TIPS
REVIEWS Summer Internships
My Summer at PWC
By: Layton Cox, 2YMBA 2020
My name is Layton Cox. I worked as a “Summer Associate”, as my Director made me say, for PwC’s consulting division. Specifically, I worked on a project for a company in DC. While I did spend time in Chicago training on new digital platforms and in the Dallas office meeting colleagues at Top Golf, Happy Hours, and Limo Races, I want to focus my internship review on the “meat” of consulting: Flying to and working at the client site. For those not as familiar with the management consulting industry, most consultants travel Monday Morning to the client site. They live in a nearby hotel until Thursday evening when they fly home. PwC, and a lot of consulting firms, are changing how they operate. PwC has instituted a “Be Well, Work Well” policy across the firm. Part of this is regarding when and how you travel. Instead of forcing everyone to be at the client site on Monday morning,
my team got to the client site on Tuesdays. It may not sound like a big difference, but working from home Monday makes travel a lot easier. Between recapping and summarizing past projects into a single PowerPoint to be used for future PwC teams to creating proposals for multi-million dollar projects, I didn’t truly have to think too hard. I did have to work fast. Several times we were given an idea at 3pm with a deadline of a slide deck by 9am the next day. All in all, I got to meet people who helped develop new industries, took a failing business to an industry superstar, and boosted margins by billions of dollars. Consultants, especially those at firms as large as PwC, change global business, and I am so happy to have seen that first hand this summer.
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
10
12
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
TIPS My role as a Summer Associate at Goldman Sachs By: Kelsey Daugherty, 2YMBA 2020
I worked for Goldman Sachs in the Investment Management Division in Houston. My role was focused on the Private Wealth Advisor track, and I worked alongside the top advisors in the office. Most of the work I did surrounded “prospecting,” where I created lists and spreadsheet databases of wealthy individuals in the Houston area. I was able to meet with current clients and create sample investment portfolios for individuals as well. This role was a great exposure into investment management and really allowed me to hone my investment acumen as well as improve my communication/interpersonal skills.
Eileen Fisher Product Development Intern By: Lillie Noe, 2YMBA 2020
I worked in Product Development for Eileen Fisher in New York – we make sustainable women’s clothing in simple shapes and beautiful fabrics. I worked with a fantastic team and felt I had lots of freedom to make decisions and make processes more efficient. Day-to-day, I was able to make a real contribution to our upcoming product through my work with our product life-cycle management data system. Our department handles all the fit samples for upcoming seasons, so I sat in on garment fittings and got a sneak preview of next year’s product!
Photo Credit: Matt Smith
While I was there, I got a fantastic look at overarching company strategy – I was able to sit in on meetings with our CEO, and even got to speak with our board of directors. It was like being in the middle of a real-time case study. An extra fun perk was our clothing allowance – each intern gets to order free Eileen Fisher clothes!
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
12
TIPS
Networking Advice Expert Tips From the Second Years
Piper Vaughn
Concentration: Finance Internship: Goldman Sachs “Take the initiative to meet new people, and embrace getting out of your comfort zone. Business school is about creating a network not only of professionals, but also friends. You never know when life might bring you together again.”
Ben Kirby
Concentration: Strategy and Entrepreneurship Internship: Google Inc. “Push yourself out of your comfort zone and toward companies/people that may seem impossible to connect with. You will be surprised how many opportunities you can cultivate for yourself simply by being friendly, genuine and persistent.”
Matt Feiring
Concentration: Finance and Real Estate Internship: CBRE “Treat landing an internship like an additional class that demands daily attention. Your final grade is determined by the quality and fit of your internship, but the initial assignments require you to network. The sooner you start to take networking seriously, the more clear and focused your internship search becomes.”
13
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
Emily Vanderstraaten
Concentration: Business Analytics and Marketing Internship: Southwest Airlines “Don’t only reach out to people when you are asking them to do something for you. It is more valuable to make a personal connection rather than just a professional connection.”
TIPS
Justin Wood
Concentration: Business Analytics and Finance Internship: The Coca- Cola Company “Companies can see right through you when you are telling them what they want to hear. You made it into the MBA program and they know you are smart. They want you to sell them who you are as a differentiator. Don’t forget to be yourself and tell your story.”
Starting your Internship Search NOW IS THE TIME By: Justin Wood, 2YMBA 2020
If you are reading this, hopefully you have already started your internship search in some way. Yes, now. Internship searching, networking, and preparing while in the middle of intense Mod of classes can be daunting. However, there are ways to help out all of that stress when you are internship hunting. The CMC, clubs, and school will host events, provide networking and internship tips, and also help with anything related to interviews and company search (LAMP list). Using those resources will be beneficial, but you must also be proactive in your own search. I had a long journey last year with my internship search, interviewed for many companies across multiple functions, networked with countless people, and eventually ended my search in late March with an internship offer at Coca-Cola.
During the fall, I would suggest to network with as many companies that you can and even attend events that you find slightly interesting. Initially, marketing was all I wanted and I didn’t know or care much about consulting, but I was kind of curious about what consulting was when PwC came to visit. After PwC’s presentation, I was 100% in and wanted to work in consulting. This is the best part of the MBA program, you can network and meet so many different people in different industries that you might even pivot your career interest when you least expect it. Last tip, if you don’t get an internship offer, don’t let that keep you down as there are so many options out there. It is tough, but keep pushing forward.
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
14
TIPS
BLC UPDATE Apply for The Disney Institute By: Kate Hoedebeck
Cox Students Can Learn Business Practices from Disney Institute What first comes to mind when you hear “Disney”? Is it a character (like Mickey Mouse), a movie (like Beauty and the Beast), or even a ride (like Space Mountain)? Most of us know Disney from our childhood, but as business students Disney is also an important business model. As Cox MBA students you have the opportunity to learn first hand how Disney provides quality service, manages operational efficiencies and creates a brand that is known globally not just for its products, but as a superior place to work. Cox MBA students have the opportunity to learn through a hands-on experience offered by the Business Leadership Center in Orlando, Florida on December 15-20, 2019. SMU Cox is the only graduate school to offer this customized program on-site at Walt Disney World. As the title suggests, “Creating and Sustaining a Service Culture” equips students with time-tested methods for providing quality service and developing a shared corporate vision that can be translated to any industry. The BLC Disney Institute Program, presented by the Business Leadership Center with an endowment from Mr. Edwin L. Cox, completed its 19th year and is open to Cox MBA and PMBA students by application only. Students will participate in lectures, activities and field experiences that show how Disney’s business model can be translated and implemented within many different industries, functional areas and levels within an organization. Students see both long term and immediate benefits from the knowledge they gain at the Disney Institute. Students also find that the experience helps in the interview process.
15
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
TIPS
Photo Credit: BLC
Jenna Lindley, FT’20 stated “The program also showed me best internal practices and employee engagement. In my interview with J.P. Morgan, I was asked about training and development opportunities to see how J.P. Morgan’s aligned with those provided to Disney employees.” For more information and questions, contact Kate Hoedebeck, Associate Director at khoedebeck@smu.edu. For more information, contact Kate Hoedebeck, Associate Director of the BLC at khoedebeck@smu.edu and https://www.disneyinstitute.com.
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
16
17
Business Aviation
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
President: Joe Pesek, 1YMBA 2020 | JPesek@smu.edu Welcome our newest club to campus! The Business Aviation Club was recently founded by Joe Pesek and Daniel Schoenberg. The mission of the SMU Aviation Club is to engage MBA candidates in various career opportunities within the aviation industry including airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports, suppliers and more, leading to the Cox School of Business continuing to be recognized as a leading institution in the aviation industry. Daniel and Joe have a passion for the industry, and are excited to work closely with their club sponsor, Dr. McDonough, and new members to help plan events for the coming year including: Aviation industry guest speakers, Student and faculty-led educational discussions, Networking event, Field trips to local aviation companies
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
WOMEN IN BUSINESS President: Meredith Gerlach, 2YMBA 2020 | MGerlach@smu.edu The SMU Cox Women in Business Chapter of the Graduate Women in Business Organization is a support network of friendships and resources for women within the Cox MBA school. Our mission is to promote the role of women in business through forums for sharing information, resources, concerns and strategies for change. List of events includes Toyota Interview and Networking Seminar, Lean-In Panel, Dean’s Luncheon, Happy Hours
Pride @ Cox President: Brian Washington, 2YMBA 2020 | Bwashington@smu.edu The vision of Pride@Cox is to support our inclusive environment for all students, alumni, faculty, and friends of the Cox and Dallas LGBTQ+ community. Our mission is to build forever relationships with the Dallas LGBT community through charity work and outreach. The organizations we work with include The Human Rights Campaign, Dallas Hope Charities, AIDS Services of Dallas, DFW Pride, and the GLBT Chamber of Commerce. These forever relationships aid us in doing more to help the community and change the world. We’re looking courageous leaders willing to stand up for something. We hope you’ll join our ranks of #WorldChangers. Events include the No Tie Dinner and Dessert Party Fundraiser (AIDS Services of Dallas), AIDS Services of Dallas Patron Party at The Meadows Museum, MLK Volunteer Event with the HRC and The Family Place.
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
SAB
Meet the Team Our mission is to make sure the MBA students’ voices are heard and taken seriously. There are an incredible amount of bright people in our program and we want to make sure that we can consistently make the MBA candidate experience better than the year before.
BEN KIRBY President
JANE MANVELOVA
JUSTIN MARK AVIOLI WOOD
NANA SEFFAH
JOE PESEK
SPENCER BLEVENS
LEBAR GERARD
Treasure
VP at Large
Social VP at Chair Large
VP at Large
VP of Diversity
VP at Large
JUSTIN WOOD VP at Large
EMILY V.
VP at Large
Interested in Joining SAB? Election are coming soon! 19
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
President Ben leads the Student Advisory Board to achieve the goals set by the SAB and make sure everyone has the tools, resources and network to serve the entire Cox MBA community. Reach out to Ben for suggestions, Leadership questions, Student life concerns, Administration comments/concerns, anything else related to making the Cox MBA program as effective and fulfilling as possible.
Treasure Jane make sure the money keeps flowin’ so that your MBA events keep goin’ Reach out to Jane for items regarding starting a new club, reimbursements and SAB funding, financial sponsorships and partnerships.
Social Chair Mark plans happy hours, tailgates, social events throughout the semester, and the formal at the end of the year. Reach out to Mark if you have suggestions for bars you’d like to check out, or events that you hear about that might be fun for all of us to attend.
Diversity Nana works on ensuring the voices of minorities in the MBA program are heard. His main focus is getting everyone involved and engaged. Reach out to Nana if you have any diversity initiative you feel will benefit the Cox community.
VP at Large Our VPs at Large are representatives for Cox MBAs to campus administration, faculty and leadership regarding programming, curriculum development and facility improvements. Reach out to your VP at Large with any suggestions or concerns related to the program so that we can work closely with faculty and staff to implement continuous improvements. MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
20
BUSINESS TODAY
ECONOMY The Dallas Advantage
BUSINESS TODAY
The DFW Economy Today
Opportunities, Low Cost of Living, and Fun. The DFW Metroplex has all three.
By: Layton Cox, 2YMBA 2020
Photo Credit: Sami Schwendeman
You’ve spent two years studying, learning, drinking, networking, and living without a paycheck and now it is finally your opportunity to make your mark on the world. Armed with new skills, knowledge of the latest business strategies, and a thirst for that first paycheck, you are in search for green pastures. You are looking for the DFW metroplex. I’ll be honest, what you are about to read is biased, cherry-picked, and by no means fair. However, if you need a reason to stay in Dallas or just want some leverage on that job offer in San Francisco to New York, you’ll get plenty of data to help your cause. When evaluating a school to live post-MBA graduation, you should look for three things: Big Business
After graduation, MBA students tend to categorize themselves into three areas: advisors (consultants and investment bankers), operators (entrepreneurs and managers), or investors (private equity or hedge funds). All three are either looking for big corporate employers, clients, or deals. Big companies = big opportunities for MBA graduates. Fortune ranks companies by total revenue each year. Their 500 largest companies in America are called the Fortune 500. To no surprise, New York City has the highest number of Fortune 500 companies in a single city at 71. Chicago is second with 34. Dallas is third with 23. However, when it comes to just the Fortune 10, the 10 companies with the highest sales in America, Dallas ranks #1 with three: Exxon, McKesson, & AT&T. DFW is also home to 15 of the S&P 500 companies, the companies with the largest market caps in the US. McKinsey projects Dallas will be the 12th largest city in annual GDP in the
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
22
BUSINESS TODAY world, 4th in the nation. DFW added 754,200 jobs since the Great Recession, a growth rate of 25.7 percent. This April, DFW’s unemployment rate dropped to a 20-year low (3%). To put the cherry on top, income per capita is 16% higher in DFW than the average US city (doesn’t even incorporate the no-income tax benefit either). Dallas is also ranked #3 in the nation for Entrepreneurial Success. DFW has big opportunities. Whether you are looking for capital to start your own thing or a corner office to jump into, a company in DFW fits the bill. However, it can be easily argued that somewhere like New York or Chicago can be better for business opportunities. Which brings us to cost of living. While we all hope to be making great base
“McKinsey projects Dallas will be the 12th largest city in Annual GDP in the world” 23
VOLUME III, ISSUE I
salaries with large signing offers and performance bonuses, we also have student loans to pay off. How much stuff costs still matters, at least until those equity stock options kick in. When compared to other cities with significant business opportunities, Dallas is head and shoulders the cost of living winner. $100,000 in Dallas is equivalent to: $236,628.51 in Manhattan $183,558.79 in San Francisco $ 150,156.09 in Boston $145,993.76 in Los Angeles or Seattle (tie) $120,915.71 in Chicago $103,954.21 in Atlanta $102,185.22 in Houston Not all salaries are equal. Keep in mind these quick numbers when you hear your buddy from Stern land a spot making $175,000 base salary or your ex from Stanford who is getting $160,000 to work at the hot startup. Your Dallas dollar goes a lot farther here. It isn’t called a “Texas Mile” for nothing. Now that we know there are plenty of opportunities to make a lot of money here, and that a lot of money in Dallas is even more money anywhere else, what are you going to spend all of that hard earned cash on? How about attending a live sporting event in one of the six professional sports teams? Or maybe you are more of an artist? Did you know Dallas is ranked #5 Top US Art Cities? Dallas is home to everything from some of the best counter-served BBQ in the world (looking at you Pecan Lodge) to
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
BUSINESS TODAY
“Not all Salaries are equal” melt-in-your-mouth steaks (your turn Del Frisco’s). It is impossible to complain about the food scene. The bar scene is as diverse and enjoyable as the food scene, just ask Dr. Lawson. Keep in mind, DFW is also home to two international airports. Whether you are an American or Southwest loyalist, you can find direct flights nearly anywhere domestically and most of the world internationally. If you are afraid of heights, a quick road trip to Austin, New Orleans, Houston, or Choctaw will give you something to plan around for the weekend.
Photo Credit: Matt Smith
I haven’t even mentioned Six Flags, the Stockyards, the multiple worldclass museums, the Arboretum, or the hundreds of concerts, comedians, and entertainers that visit DFW each year. All in all, Dallas has it all. Whether you are purely driven on changing the world, maximizing your net worth, or just having fun, Dallas has your name written all over.
24
HIGHLIGHTS
MBA Highlights
Don’t miss some of the best events!
The Boulevard “The Boulevard brings you right back to the college days, where you’re full from a combination of school spirit, food, and beer.” - Mark Avioli
The Disney Institute One of my favorite parts of first year was the Disney Institute! The classes shaped my understanding of how to build a tremendous company culture ensuring that employees feel empowered and valued. It was also a great way hang out with my MBA friends in the happiest place on Earth!” - Valerie Pizzato
g
25
VOLUME IV
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
“It has been incredible getting to know such fun and intelligent group of people”
HIGHLIGHTS
International Festival
“Opportunity for everyone to try different cultures food and dance. Friends, food and fun!” - Nana Seffah
MBA Prom
“Prom was a great way to celebrate the end of the year with all of my new friends! Everyone looked so great! - Heather Steer
Intramural Sports
“Intramural Sports was a great bonding activity to grow closer with my classmates.” - Morgan Weinbel
Study Group
“My study group is THE BEST! It has been incredible getting to know such a fun and intelligent group of people. Working together to solve problems was a blast- even when we got frustrated. They made the core classes so enjoyable.” - Valerie Pizzato
Case Competition “The case competition for PepsiCo was a great way to get to know our group and figure out how best we work together.” - Jourdan Spragins
26
COX TRAVEL
GLP RECAP Tokoyo & Beijing 2019
GLP
Trip Reflections Asia A By: Matt Smith, 2YMBA 2020
The experiences from both Japan and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) left me certain that we must continue to learn to work together in mutuallybeneficial ways encouraging trade, opening dialogue between persons and companies, and the world is becoming increasingly more connected, complex, and interdependent. The tight grip the Chinese Communist Party maintains on literally everything and the initial reaction of Xi Jinping to shift towards self-reliance has had adverse effects on foreign nations trying to do business in China, and this will cause second and third-order effects on surrounding regional nations, and the world. Japan is caught directly in the middle of this growing storm, with no real way to represent itself, searching
deep for its ‘animal spirit’, as its dependence largely lies between the two other global powers. For many of us, this trip aligned ideas and theories we had read with realities on the ground. It confirmed my belief that for growth and direction, it remains vital to stay abreast of global geopolitical events, policies, and exchanges, as these will all have lasting effects on the world in which we live and work. I’m grateful to have experienced these two fascinatingly unique cultures, interacted with local and foreign businesses in each, and to have done this with such a high caliber of developing Global Leaders from the SMU Cox.
LIFESTYLE
DISCOVER The Best Easts Around Town By: Vithal Nainani, Heather Steer & Kelsey Daugherty
Jeng chi bakery
400 N Greenville Ave #11, Richardson Jeng Chi is a place for juicy dumplings, but it’s also a place for connecting with others, a place to enjoy authentic food.
Whisk crepes
601 Dallas Pkwy, Plano If you’re looking for a new #datenight spot, look no further! Fresh, farm to table, and made from scratch with an amazing cocktail menu!
1888 Sylvan Ave F120, Dallas Such a fun atmosphere and an awesome place for BOTH sweet and savory crepes. It makes you feel like you are on the streets of Paris!
Tom yung Kung Cafe
Snooze A.M Eatery
2708 N Henderson Ave, Dallas Great spot for a Friday night out on the town and they deliver!
3211 Oak Lawn Ave Suite A Snooze like the best brunch you can image, but BETTER! They have a great mix of savory and sweet options, which is key to a good brunch
Tineo Peruvian Cafe
525 W Arapaho Rd #1, Richardson This was my first stop after my trip to Peru and it did not disappoint!
Coffee house cafe 6150 Frankford Rd, Dallas
Not only is this a great little study nook featuring organic and fair trade coffee selections, but it also has tons of great events like live music!
29
Whiskey Cake
VOLUME III
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
3030 N Josey Ln #113, Carrollton Looking to satisfy your Pad Thai craving? This is my go-to for take out and delivery!
Pie tap
Sixty Vines Uptown
500 Crescent Ct Suite 160, Dallas Great place for lunches, birthday dinners or a Friday night date
India Palace
12817 Preston Rd #105, Dallas The portions here are HUGE, so make sure to come hungry! And the servers are super knowledgeable and love to answer all your questions.
LIFESTYLE
BEVERAGE BESTS By: Jourdan Spragins
Be sure to check out these hot spots for the best drinks and happy hours! List inspired by @Dallas_ontherocks - stay up-to-date on the best cocktails in Dallas by following the account on instagram!
1
77 Degrees: Check out Dallas’ new & most popular rooftop.
2
Mirador Dallas: The ultimate choice for a classy and sophisticated night out.
3
Tillman’s Bishop Arts: Need a break from Uptown? Great time to check out Tillman’s new Happy Hour! (Tuesday - Friday 5pm-7pm)
4
Punch Bowl Social: Kick your gameday Saturday’s off with brunch and a killer bloody mary bar.
5
Te Deseo: Enjoy a mango margarita on the upstairs terrace.
6
Beverley’s Dallas: Don’t forget about this lively neighborhood bistro where you can find great food & cocktails.
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME III, ISSUE I
29
LIFESTYLE
Mustang Milestones Celebrating the special moments in the lives of our fellow MBAs. Congratulations!
Clockwise from top to bottom: James Guleke proposed to his girlfriend (Kaley Klasson) in June while they were in Hawaii on the island of Oahu @ Kaena Point. Taylor Little and Brad Wolff got engaged in Colorado Springs on May 22, 2019. Bryan Gammon and his wife, had their first child, Madeline Grace Gammon! She was born in April and Bryan loves being a Dad!
31
VOLUME III
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL
Kyra McGuirk became engaged to Kyle Clay. Kyle proposed at Sundance Square (where they met and had their first date) on the evening of the July 5th. Pat Saxby’s first son, Sutton Edward Saxby, was born May 23rd. Big sister Shirley Kate loves her new baby brother! Meredith Gerlach and Ben Gallegos got engaged on July 5, 2019 with the Dallas skyline behind them, getting married on June 20, 2020 in Dallas.
MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL VOLUME IV
30
Our Team Jourdan Spragins Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Daugherty Managing Editor Layton Cox Content Creation Editor Interested in joining us? We are always welcoming new writers, photographers, and graphic designers. Email jspragins@smu.edu for information.
33