Round Rock Council Member Michelle Ly Juggles Business Empire, City Governance, and Motherhood on New Podcast
Episode 76 of the Rock Solid podcast reveals how Michelle Ly balances three businesses, city council duties, and family on minimal sleep, highlighting Round Rock's strategic growth and the personal costs of civic leadership.
Michelle Ly, a third-term Round Rock City Council member and co-owner of multiple businesses, offers an unvarnished look at the demands of servant leadership in Episode 76 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, published June 2, 2026. Hosted by bestselling author Bryan Eisenberg, the episode titled "Michelle Ly: Balancing City Council, Business Ownership & Motherhood in Round Rock" captures Ly's relentless schedule and her commitment to the city's growth.
Ly's portfolio includes Hall Roofing & Construction, which she opened with her husband Eric in 2012, and downtown Round Rock establishments The Rock Sports Bar, The Flats, and Alcove Cantina. She also serves on the boards of the Round Rock Chamber, Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center, and Rotary, recently stepping down from the YMCA board after two three-year terms when she felt less effective.
Ly candidly describes running on three to four hours of sleep most nights, time-blocking between meetings for payroll, phone calls, and roof inspections. When asked about rebuilding The Rock Sports Bar after losing its original lease, she said, "My husband was like, this is not the way we end the Rock Sports Bar. Our landlord doesn't get to tell us the end of our story. We are in it for the long haul. We want to see downtown thriving."
The episode explores Round Rock's transformation since Ly's graduation, highlighting fellow alumni entrepreneurs like Brooks Bennett and Salicia Sanchez Adame. Ly recalls a downtown that was once "a ghost town" anchored by a funeral home and Round Rock Donuts, crediting Mayor Pro Tem Kristen Stevens and colleagues for cautiously reshaping zoning. She also discusses donating a roof after hearing nonprofit leader Philip Golden speak, leading by example on trash duty at her bars, and her hope to one day take her daughter Reagan back to Vietnam to immerse her in the family's culture.
The conversation lands as Ly continues to expand her business and civic footprint, reflecting a city that Mayor Craig Morgan recently described as able to be "picky" about new arrivals. Ly's story underscores the personal cost of leadership in a fast-growing Texas city and the importance of showing up—even on limited sleep.
Episode 76 of Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast is available now wherever podcasts are heard.