Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast

On this episode of Rock Solid, Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Batya Porter, a rising real estate force in Central Texas who’s rewriting the rules on what it means to truly represent a buyer or seller. Batya, known for her deep educational drive and tagline "Buy Better with Batya," shares eye-opening real estate horror stories, explains why nearly 90% of sellers have regrets, and uncovers...

Meet Robin Eissler, a Georgetown mom who turned her experience as a booster club president into a thriving SaaS company—built entirely from home. In this episode of Rock Solid , host Bryan Eisenberg dives into Robin’s remarkable journey from private jet broker to founder of BoosterHub, a platform now supporting over 500 organizations and 60,000+ users nationwide. Robin shares how a hurricane evacu...

How does a popcorn maker spark a thriving coffee business? In this episode of Rock Solid , host Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Mary Stone, founder of Stone Stash Coffee, to talk about her incredible journey from hobbyist roasting at home to building a warehouse for her growing business. Mary shares how she and her husband began roasting coffee during the pandemic, the unique benefits of air-roaste...

In this episode of Rock Solid, host Bryan Eisenberg sits down with John Garrett, the founder of Community Impact, a hyperlocal newspaper empire built from scratch right here in Williamson County, Texas. John shares his journey from working at the Houston Chronicle to launching a bold print publication in the age of digital news. Discover why "all news is local" still matters, how faith a...

Joe Fischer, founder of Playmaker Recruiting and winner of the Round Rock Chamber’s Startup Day pitch competition, joins host Bryan Eisenberg on Rock Solid. In this episode, Joe shares his journey from being an overlooked high school athlete to creating a platform that helps student-athletes get discovered—without costing families a dime. Discover: • What it's like to pitch against top startup...

In this special episode of Rock Solid , Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Charlie Culpepper—former mayor, councilman, and 40+ year Round Rock leader—for a deep dive into the origins and explosive growth of Round Rock, Texas. Charlie shares firsthand stories about: How Dell almost went to Phoenix or Nashville The creative deal that brought the Round Rock Express to life Building a community with purpo...

What makes Round Rock one of the best places for entrepreneurs to grow? In this episode of Rock Solid , host Bryan Eisenberg talks with business coach Tanner O’Brien about what sets the local business community apart—from the power of peer feedback at 1 Million Cups to the long-term mindset behind successful growth. Tanner also shares his personal journey from Iowa to Round Rock, how ActionCOACH h...

In this episode of Rock Solid, host Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Carolyn Lane, founder of Cosmic Egg Wellness in Round Rock, TX. From sound baths that stir deep emotional release, to postpartum doula work that supports new parents, Carolyn shares her unique journey blending yoga, frequency healing, and community care. Learn how Carolyn’s curiosity—and a bit of hippie flair—led her to create a sa...

At just 18, this young entrepreneur has already built a thriving printing and promotional products business—starting with selling stickers at school and growing into Piranha Printing, a full-service custom printing company. In this Rock Solid Podcast episode, Bryan Eisenberg sits down with the founder of Piranha Printing to talk about: Getting started at the Children’s Business Fair How he landed...

When Jessica Scanlon came up with the name Hot Dog Marketing, it was inspired by her dachshunds—little did she know it would grow into one of Central Texas’s most recognized marketing agencies. In this episode of Rock Solid, Jessica joins Bryan Eisenberg to share how she built her business from a freelance hustle in 2008 to a thriving agency helping professional services, government contractors, a...

Texas State University’s Round Rock campus is more than just a place for degrees — it’s helping fuel entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and the growth of Central Texas. In this episode of Rock Solid, Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Julie Lessiter, Vice President of Texas State University Round Rock Campus, to talk about: • How the campus partnered with the Round Rock Chamber for Startup Day &am...

In this heartfelt episode of Rock Solid: The Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast , host Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Clarena Tobon, Executive Director of NAMI Central Texas, to discuss breaking the stigma around mental health. Clarena shares her deeply personal journey—from caring for her mother through mental illness and loss to finding healing in support groups—and how it led her to champion m...

Bill Gravell's story is the definition of Texas grit and heart. In this episode of Rock Solid, we sit down with the former Williamson County Judge and current SBA Regional Advocate to hear how a kid who grew up playing baseball in Round Rock fields became a leader through natural disasters, a global pandemic, and into the halls of the White House. Bill shares unforgettable stories of community...

Join host Bryan Eisenberg as he sits down with K. LaFleur-Anders, founder of Coffee Milk Media and co-creator of the Impact Alliance, to explore the powerful intersection of storytelling, social change, and entrepreneurship in Round Rock. In this inspiring and emotional conversation, K. shares her journey from corporate life at Dell to launching multiple mission-driven ventures, including TEDx Rou...

Join host Bryan Eisenberg as he sits down with two special guests from the Small Business Administration: Lisa Shimcat, who oversees operations for all 68 SBA district offices nationwide, and Chip Bishop, Chief Counsel for Advocacy focusing on federal deregulation for small businesses. In this eye-opening conversation, discover the full scope of SBA resources beyond just loans, including manufactu...

Join host Bryan Eisenberg as he sits down with Kevin Koym, founder of Tech Ranch, to explore the intersection of community building and entrepreneurship in Round Rock and beyond. In this deep conversation, Kevin shares his unique approach to "campfire networking" and how building social capital often matters more than financial capital for early-stage entrepreneurs. From his early days working wit...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Will Peckham, a longtime Round Rock community leader and former city council member who has dedicated his life to making Round Rock a better place to live, work, and play. In this episode, we explore Will's journey from Rhode Island to Round Rock in 1983, his family's decision to plant roots in what was then a sleepy college town, and how he became deeply...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Nicholle Walton-Durban, founder and "edupreneur" behind E.S.T.E.A.M Academy - a revolutionary approach to education that's transforming how kids learn in Round Rock, Texas. Key Topics Covered: What it means to be an "edupreneur" and why education needs disruption The journey from opening a film school for kids to creating multiple micro schools How E.S.T....

Join host Bryan Eisenberg as he sits down with Stacie Feller, owner of Kanga Roof and Koala Cooling, two thriving businesses serving the Round Rock and Central Texas area. In this episode, Stacie shares her journey from corporate executive at Texas Mutual to co-building one of the largest residential roofing companies in Central Texas alongside her husband Scott. Key topics covered include: • The...

Join host Bryan Eisenberg as he sits down with Serita Lacasse, Executive Director of Senior Access, to explore the vital role of transportation and community in helping seniors age in place. In this episode, discover how a simple need for rides to doctor appointments in 1993 has evolved into a comprehensive support system serving over 1,000 seniors across Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, East...

Join host Bryan Eisenberg as he sits down with Karah Powell from the Ride On Center for Kids (ROCK), a remarkable nonprofit that has grown from one borrowed horse to 41 horses serving 404 clients across nine Texas counties. Key Topics Covered: The inspiring origin story of ROCK, starting in 1998 with one horse and four children How equine-assisted services help children with disabilities like Down...

Join host Bryan Eisenberg as he sits down with Karen Cerezo, a certified health coach and menopause expert who specializes in helping women over 40 navigate their health journey. In this episode, we explore the unique challenges facing the "sandwich generation," discuss why fitness needs change after 40, and discover how building community can transform your wellness journey. Key Topics Covered: T...

In this episode of Rock Solid, host Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Monica McKitterick-Smith of Impact Family Wellness to discuss how direct primary care is changing healthcare delivery in Central Texas. Monica explains the membership-based model that provides unlimited primary and urgent care without the constraints of insurance requirements. Key topics include the broken healthcare system, the im...

In this episode of Rock Solid, host Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Jonas Acevedo, founder of Infinite Fitness. Jonas shares why he chose Round Rock for his new location and his unique business model focused exclusively on adults 40+. They discuss the importance of functional fitness for aging adults, the benefits of small group training, and how Infinite Fitness creates a non-intimidating environm...

In this episode of Rock Solid, host Bryan Eisenberg chats with YJ Lin, Senior Program Manager at Dell Startups. YJ shares his journey of winning Volunteer of the Year from the Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce and his passion for community building. Key topics include: • Dell's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and startups • Building collaborative ecosystems between corporations and start...