The 1911 Group: SMU's premier business The Premier Networking Organization for SMU Alumni

9 January 2026

We’re honored to see our founder, Benjamin Lavine (BBA ’98, SMU Cox School of Business), featured by SMU’s 1911 Group in a recent SMU Stories interview.

From a NASA internship to investment banking and ultimately custom homebuilding, Benjamin shares how financial discipline, cash flow management, and risk analysis became the foundation for scaling Stone Acorn Builders through multiple market cycles.

Founded in Houston, Stone Acorn Builders transitioned from speculative to custom homebuilding during the 2007–2008 financial crisis, later expanding to Austin in 2019 and Dallas in 2025. The conversation offers insight into how finance principles can meaningfully shape construction, growth strategy, and long-term resilience.

A thoughtful discussion on career pivots, entrepreneurship, and building enduring businesses.

Tune in to this week’s episode of SMU Stories, available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📹 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eebXE-i4

🎧 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eWqv6Seh

🎵 Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/ejWnjHPZ

18 March 2025
If you’re considering a move from Los Angeles, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of Californians are packing up and heading to Texas, and Austin has become one of the top destinations.
9 July 2018
What: Stone Acorn Builders’ 2018 Southern Living “Beyond the Storm” Showcase Home includes daily chef, gardening and interior design demos. Proceeds from tour admissions will go toward the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life for Houstonians of all ages through the power of literacy, assisting on programs such as My Home Library, the Curiosity Cruiser and more. The 6,076-square-foot three-story open floor plan includes five bedrooms, five bathrooms, media room, game room, with the dining room and breakfast area all centered by a fabulous gourmet kitchen. Bringing the outdoors in, the family room’s multi-slide doors open onto the back porch featuring a summer kitchen. The showcase home includes a large family library and multiple reading nooks throughout. Interior design managed by Lindsey Herod Interiors and Meg Lonergan Interiors, members of the Southern Living Designer Network. When: September 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30, 2018 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: 3758 Drummond in Braes Heights Admission: $15 at the door