Michelle Ly, a Round Rock City Council member now in her third term, is proving that relentless time management and a commitment to community can coexist with running a growing business portfolio—even if it means operating on just three to four hours of sleep most nights. In Episode 76 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, published June 2, 2026, host Bryan Eisenberg explores how Ly balances her roles as a council member, co-owner of Hall Roofing & Construction, operator of three downtown Round Rock venues, and mother to her daughter Reagan.
Ly, the daughter of Vietnamese refugees who moved to Round Rock for the semiconductor industry, has built a diverse business empire since 2012. Alongside her husband Eric, she founded Hall Roofing & Construction, and the couple now also runs The Rock Sports Bar, The Flats, and Alcove Cantina in downtown Round Rock. Her civic involvement extends to board service with the Round Rock Chamber, the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center, and Rotary. She recently stepped off the YMCA board after two three-year terms, feeling her effectiveness had waned.
Ly is candid about the cost of her packed schedule. Asked how she manages, she told Eisenberg she time-blocks the slivers between meetings for payroll, phone calls, and even roof inspections. Her determination to keep The Rock Sports Bar alive after losing its original lease exemplifies her resolve: '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 also touches on Round Rock's transformation. Ly recalls a downtown that was once 'a ghost town' anchored by a funeral home and Round Rock Donuts. She credits Mayor Pro Tem Kristen Stevens and colleagues for cautiously reshaping zoning to attract new businesses. Ly also shares how she donated a roof after hearing nonprofit leader Philip Golden speak, and leads by example on trash duty at her bars.
Beyond business and council work, Ly looks ahead to taking her daughter Reagan back to Vietnam to immerse her in the family's culture. Her story underscores the importance of servant leadership in a city the mayor recently described as able to be 'picky' about new arrivals. For listeners, the episode offers a rare glimpse into the real cost of civic engagement and the payoff of perseverance.
