Round Rock City Council member Michelle Ly, a first-generation Vietnamese American and entrepreneur, is balancing a demanding portfolio of business ownership, civic leadership, and motherhood as she enters her third term on the council. In Episode 76 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, hosted by Bryan Eisenberg, Ly offers a candid look at her relentless schedule and commitment to servant leadership in a growing Texas city.
Ly co-owns Hall Roofing & Construction, which she opened in 2012 with her husband Eric. She also operates three downtown Round Rock venues: The Rock Sports Bar, The Flats, and Alcove Cantina. Her civic involvement includes board service with the Round Rock Chamber, Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center, and Rotary. She recently stepped off the YMCA board after two three-year terms when she felt her impact was waning.
Despite the heavy load, Ly says she runs on just 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, Ly recalled her husband's determination: "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."
Ly reflected on Round Rock's transformation since her graduation, recalling a downtown that was once "a ghost town" anchored by a funeral home and Round Rock Donuts. She credited Mayor Pro Tem Kristen Stevens and colleagues for cautiously reshaping zoning to encourage growth. The episode also highlighted fellow alumni entrepreneurs like Brooks Bennett and Salicia Sanchez Adame.
Beyond her business and council duties, Ly serves on boards including the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center and Rotary. She donated a roof after hearing nonprofit leader Philip Golden speak and leads by example on trash duty at her bars. Ly hopes to one day take her daughter Reagan back to Vietnam to immerse her in the family's culture.
The episode underscores the challenges and rewards of civic leadership in a city the mayor recently described as able to be "picky" about new arrivals. Ly's story illustrates the personal sacrifices required to serve while running multiple businesses, and her journey as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees who moved to Round Rock for the semiconductor industry adds depth to her perspective.
For business leaders and entrepreneurs, Ly's experience offers lessons in resilience, community engagement, and the importance of showing up even when the cost is high. The podcast profiles the entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and civic leaders shaping Round Rock, and Episode 76 is available now wherever podcasts are heard.
