Why Did the Round Rock Chamber Name Bryan Eisenberg Entrepreneur of the Year?

The Round Rock Chamber of Commerce has named Bryan Eisenberg its 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year, honoring leaders whose work strengthens both the local economy and the people who call Round Rock home.

Eisenberg, best known for his work as a New York TImes best-selling business book author and keynote speaker through Bryan Eisenberg, was also named a finalist in two additional award categories (Ambassador and Investor of the Year). The recognition reflects consistent leadership across entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and long-term community impact.

How Do Bryan and Stacey Eisenberg Serve Round Rock Families Through Their Business?

Beyond his keynote speaking and writing career, Eisenberg serves the community alongside his wife and business partner, Stacey Eisenberg. Together, they are the owners of A Place At Home – North Austin, an award-winning home care agency serving seniors and families throughout Central Texas.

Through A Place At Home – North Austin, the Eisenbergs focus on dignity, continuity of care, and practical support for families navigating aging and health transitions. The agency was recently recognized as both an Employer of Choice and Provider of Choice, reflecting its commitment to caregivers as well as the families they serve.

That same people-first philosophy, listening closely, building trust, and showing up consistently, carries directly into Eisenberg’s broader civic leadership.

What Does the 2026 Ambassador Board Chair Role Represent?

As part of this year’s honors, Eisenberg also joins the Chamber’s board as 2026 Ambassador Chair. Through his service with the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Ambassador program plays a central role in welcoming new investors, strengthening peer relationships, and helping local businesses feel connected and supported.

The appointment reflects leadership grounded in service rather than visibility, and relationship-building rather than titles.

Why Local Storytelling Matters to Round Rock’s Growth

Eisenberg is also the host of the Rock Solid Round Rock, where he spotlights entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and civic builders shaping the city’s future.

The podcast serves as a living record of Round Rock’s growth, preserving the stories behind the businesses and people investing in the community’s long-term success.

“This community is built by people who care deeply about their neighbors,” Eisenberg said. “Being recognized here means continuing to show up and give back.”

Celebrating a Community of Winners and Finalists

The Entrepreneur of the Year award is part of the Chamber’s annual celebration of business excellence. This year’s winners and finalists reflect the diversity, resilience, and shared commitment that define Round Rock’s business community.

A full list of honorees is available through Community Impact’s coverage of the 2026 Chamber Honors.

About Bryan Eisenberg

Bryan Eisenberg is a New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and community advocate based in Round Rock, Texas. Alongside his wife, Stacey Eisenberg, he leads mission-driven organizations focused on care, connection, and long-term community value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Round Rock Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year award recognize?

Business leaders who demonstrate sustained impact, integrity, and service within the local community.

What is the role of the Ambassador Chair?

The Ambassador Chair supports Chamber members by welcoming new investors, strengthening relationships, and fostering engagement.

How are Bryan and Stacey Eisenberg involved locally?

They co-own an award-winning home care agency and support Round Rock through business leadership, civic service, and community storytelling.

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The Round Rock Chamber of Commerce kicked off 2026 with a standing-room-only State of the Chamber Power Lunch at Embassy Suites Round Rock, welcoming more than 230 attendees from across Central Texas.

A centerpiece of the event was a live, on-stage recording of the Rock Solid Round Rock podcast, hosted by Bryan Eisenberg, co-owner of A Place At Home – North Austin. The format brought an authentic, conversational lens to the Chamber’s annual update, inviting the audience into a deeper discussion about where the organization — and the city — is headed.

How Did Chamber Leaders Reflect on 2025 Successes?

Outgoing Board Chair Selicia Sanchez-Adame shared reflections on a milestone year that included the Chamber’s 75th anniversary and progress toward its ambitious drive to reach 1,000 members.

She highlighted the continued strength of the Chamber’s Ambassador program and referral network, emphasizing how relationship-building remains central to business growth in Round Rock.

What Economic Development Priorities Were Discussed?

Chamber leadership outlined a forward-looking approach to economic development, workforce readiness, and education — grounded in collaboration.

Key discussion points included:

• A unique partnership between the City of Round Rock and the Chamber
  
  
• A five-year strategic plan focused on economic development and innovation
  
  
• Continued support for entrepreneurship, including the gBeta accelerator and a preview of a forthcoming pre-accelerator program
  
  
• Advancing awareness of local education assets, from four-year degree pathways at ACC to expanded opportunities at Texas State University beyond healthcare

The conversation reinforced Round Rock’s position as a city investing intentionally in talent, innovation, and long-term growth.

How Is the Chamber Advocating for Business at the State Level?

Jordan Robinson, President & CEO of the Chamber, addressed the business climate and advocacy efforts during the 89th Legislative Session. She shared insights from testifying at the Texas Capitol on key issues such as sales tax policy and maintaining strong relationships with state and federal officials.

Attendees also heard about the Chamber’s Post-Legislative event, which brought high-caliber speakers from across the state to help local businesses understand the broader policy landscape.

What Investments Are Shaping the Chamber’s Future?

A major announcement highlighted during the live recording was the launch of the Round Rock Chamber Foundation and the success of its Founders Wall Campaign, which raised $400,000.

The Foundation is designed to support business-to-business initiatives without competing with existing nonprofits, with early focus areas including:

• Leadership development programs
  
  
• The Young Professionals initiative
  
  
• Leadership Round Rock and Ascend

The Chamber also shared updates on returning to the historic Griffith Building in downtown Round Rock, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the city’s core.

What Vision Was Shared for the Year Ahead?

Incoming Board Chair Deana Cavanaugh closed the discussion by outlining priorities for the future, centered on member retention, deeper engagement, and continued investment in the Chamber Foundation.

Her remarks emphasized building on the momentum of recent years while ensuring the Chamber remains responsive, inclusive, and closely connected to the businesses it serves.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work our Chamber, board, volunteers and partners accomplished over the past year,” said Jordan Robinson, President & CEO of the Round Rock Chamber. “The State of the Chamber gives us the opportunity to not only reflect on that progress, but to clearly share where we’re headed next — and how we will continue to strengthen our business community while creating new opportunities for Round Rock’s future.”

“Having this conversation live, in front of the people we serve, reflects the Chamber’s commitment to transparency and connection,” said Bryan Eisenberg. “This is how strong communities move forward together.”

The Impact Extends Beyond Round Rock

By pairing its annual State of the Chamber with a live Rock Solid Round Rock podcast recording, the Round Rock Chamber created a shared experience that blended reflection, accountability, and vision. For attendees, it offered not just an update, but a clearer understanding of how leadership decisions today will shape Round Rock’s economic and civic future and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.

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The Rock Solid Round Rock Podcast is celebrating its first anniversary—marking 52 weekly episodes dedicated to elevating the entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and community voices shaping Central Texas. The show is available at rocksolidrr.com, with full video episodes streaming on YouTube.

The podcast originated after the Round Rock Chamber’s Entrepreneurial Town Hall, an event that made clear the community’s desire for more visibility, mentorship, and storytelling around local business leadership. Hosts Bryan Eisenberg, Bill Combes, and Brent Pierce turned that request into action, blending their perspectives in storytelling, marketing, and production to create a platform centered on Round Rock and Central Texas’ rising momentum.

Why Did the Rock Solid Round Rock Podcast Reach 52 Episodes in Its First Year?

Every episode is recorded at Round Rock Studio, where the atmosphere encourages authenticity and connection. Bryan brings decades of storytelling and behavioral insight. Bill brings hands-on experience with the needs of small businesses. Brent brings polished production and a studio intentionally designed for candid conversations.

Together, their work reflects what makes Round Rock unique: a collaborative ecosystem of civic leaders, educators, founders, and service-minded residents committed to shaping the region’s future.

How Is the Podcast Strengthening Round Rock’s Entrepreneurial Future?

The show has become a reference point for local founders, Chamber members, community organizations, and elected officials. Episodes highlight business development trends, community needs, education partnerships, nonprofit initiatives, and the lessons learned from both scrappy startups and seasoned leaders.

This mix of civic insight and entrepreneurial transparency has helped position Round Rock as one of the most compelling business communities in Texas.

Notable Guests Featured in Rock Solid’s First Year

Over the podcast’s 52 episodes, Rock Solid has welcomed many of Central Texas’ most recognized leaders, including:

• Charlie Culpepper — Former Mayor of Round Rock
  
  
• Bill Gravell — Former Williamson County Judge & SBA Advocate
  
  
• Anita Steenson — U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Relief and Recovery
  
  
• Robin Eissler — Founder & CEO, BoosterHub
  
  
• John Garrett — Founder, Community Impact
  
  
• Jessica Scanlon — Founder & CEO, Hot Dog Marketing
  
  
• Suzette Reynoso-Bivens — Founder, Tot Box Play Cafe
  
  
• Tracy Donegan — Founder, Solasta Health
  
  
• Will Williams — Founder, ShareTheWill Foundation, 26 year Army Ranger veteran
  
  
• Joseph Fischer — Founder, Playmaker Recruiting & Round Rock Chamber Pitch Winner
  
  

These voices reflect the diversity, creativity, and community-minded leadership that define the Round Rock region.

Rock Solid Round Rock Podcast Reveals Why Williamson County Is One of America’s Fastest-Growing Business Communities

Rock Solid was born in one of the fastest-growing communities in America. Williamson County’s total appraised value nearly doubled from $89.1 billion to $184.4 billion in six years, and 12,558 new small businesses opened during that same period, even before the full economic impact of Samsung’s massive expansion is reflected.

This surge of growth, entrepreneurship, and investment has made Round Rock a proving ground for the future of Central Texas and the country. The podcast exists to capture the stories behind that momentum; giving founders, civic leaders, and innovators a platform to share how they’re shaping a region that’s expanding faster than almost anywhere else in the country.

What Does This Milestone Mean to the Host?

“Celebrating a year of Rock Solid means celebrating our community,” said Bryan Eisenberg. “Every story shared is a reminder of the people who make Round Rock the future of Texas.”

About Rock Solid Round Rock Podcast

The Rock Solid Round Rock Podcast highlights the entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and community voices defining Round Rock’s future. Episodes blend storytelling, local insight, and candid conversation—recorded weekly at Round Rock Studio.

Learn more at rocksolidrr.com or watch full episodes at youtube.com/@rock-solid-podcast.

Linked Media

Watch full episodes on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@rock-solid-podcast

FAQ — Rock Solid Round Rock Podcast

Q1: What inspired the launch of the Rock Solid Round Rock Podcast?

The podcast was born after the Round Rock Chamber’s Entrepreneurial Town Hall, where residents expressed a strong desire for more public storytelling around local founders, community leaders, and civic impact.

Q2: How often are episodes released?

New episodes premiere weekly on YouTube and across all major podcast platforms.

Q3: Who hosts the show?

Hosted by Bryan Eisenberg, alongside co-hosts Bill Combes and Brent Pierce, each bringing a unique lens to entrepreneurial storytelling.

Q4: What makes Rock Solid different from other business podcasts?

Its focus on community-first storytelling. The show elevates leaders at all stages—founders, students, educators, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and business owners who rarely get a microphone.

Q5: Where can listeners watch or listen?

Video: YouTube and Spotify

Audio: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

Extended FAQ — About the Hosts & Production Partners

How does Round Rock Studio influence the storytelling quality of the podcast?

Round Rock Studio is more than a recording space—it is the technical and creative backbone of the show. Owned by co-host Brent Pierce, the studio was built so local leaders could share their stories in a high-quality, accessible environment. Its professional lighting, multi-camera setup, and expert audio engineering allow every guest—whether a mayor, founder, or first-time entrepreneur—to feel comfortable and confident. This environment transforms unscripted, heartfelt conversations into polished, impactful episodes that reflect the best of what Round Rock represents.

Why is No Time for Social such an important connector for local businesses featured on the podcast?

No Time for Social, founded by co-host Bill Combes, supports many national and Central Texas businesses with their social media presence. Bill’s close work with startups, service providers, and nonprofits gives him a deep understanding of the real challenges entrepreneurs face every day. That perspective brings a grounded, practical layer to the podcast—often revealing patterns in the local economy, gaps in small business support, and opportunities for new founders. Through Bill’s work with the Round Rock Chamber, the show naturally reflects the needs of the community and the momentum of its business ecosystem.

How does Bryan Eisenberg’s national expertise shape the way the podcast highlights local stories?

As a New York Times bestselling author, international keynote speaker, and digital marketing pioneer, Bryan Eisenberg has spent more than two decades helping global brands understand human behavior and customer experience. On Rock Solid, he uses those same skills to draw out the deeper motivations behind each guest’s story; why they built what they built, how they overcame obstacles, and what drives their commitment to Round Rock. His roles as Ambassador Co-Chair at the Round Rock Chamber and co-owner of A Place At Home – North Austin keep him grounded in the community’s needs. This blend of international insight and local involvement helps elevate every conversation, showing how Round Rock’s leaders mirror the innovation and resilience of top business markets worldwide.

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After five years away from the spotlight, New York Times bestselling author and digital persuasion pioneer Bryan Eisenberg returned to the international keynote stage at the Global Marketing Summit in Istanbul with a message businesses around the world needed to hear:

How do you persuade humans when AI has taken over the conversation?

This wasn’t just a return. It was a response to a moment of urgency.

Eisenberg helped shape the online strategies of brands like Google, Disney, JPMorgan Chase, Orvis, HPE, and Travelocity by focusing on what truly moves people to act. Now, as AI-generated content floods every channel, he sees the same challenge businesses faced during the early days of the internet. Only now, it’s louder, faster, and even more disconnected from what humans actually care about.

“AI can generate words,” Bryan told the audience. “But only humans can generate meaning.”

What Did Bryan Eisenberg Reveal About Storytelling That AI Still Can’t Do?

In his keynote, “Legendary Story Types That Sell in an AI World,” Bryan Eisenberg pulled back the curtain on what artificial intelligence still cannot deliver. Real alignment. Human authenticity. The spark that creates lasting trust.

He explored how the most successful brands utilize timeless story types to create emotional relevance and minimize friction throughout the customer experience. The talk drew inspiration from his most recent book, I Think I Swallowed an Elephant: The Stories We Sell, The Success We Build, where Bryan describes how many organizations operate like the six blind men and the elephant. Each department sees part of the picture but misses the whole, and the customer feels the disconnect.

Eisenberg’s challenge to leaders was clear. If your teams don’t align around a single, shared story, no amount of technology will make your marketing work.

He has keynoted events for companies such as Disney, Microsoft, Purina, McKesson, Forbes, NYU, and Travel Alberta, and spoken to audiences across Europe, Latin America, Russia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. But this keynote, in this moment, struck a more resounding chord.

Why Are Businesses Turning Back to Storytelling in the Age of AI?

Bryan has spent the past year advising clients on how to respond to the rise of AI tools and shifting customer behavior. The symptoms may seem new. Robotic messaging. Misaligned funnels. Automation without emotion. But the underlying issue is familiar.

As he told the Istanbul audience:

“If your story is broken, AI just helps more people ignore you faster.”

The answer is not to out-AI your competitors. It’s to tell a story worth amplifying.

What Do Leaders Say About the Impact of This Keynote?

“Your keynote was truly one of the highlights of the summit,” said Seda Mizrakli Ferik, organizer of the Global Marketing Summit.

“The depth of insight and inspiration you brought made a lasting impression on everyone present,” said Seda Mizrakli Ferik, organizer of the Global Marketing Summit.

Where Did This Keynote Come From?

This keynote wasn’t born in a vacuum. It emerged from years of direct work with companies that were trying to adapt to fast-moving technology without losing their identity. It was only after this talk that Bryan wrote the post now gaining traction in marketing circles:

- AI Can’t Fix a Broken Story, But True Leaders Can

Where Can You Learn More?

• AI Can’t Fix a Broken Story (Blog)

• Bryan Eisenberg Bio

• Buyer Legends Framework

• Be Like Amazon: What You Can Learn

• I Think I Swallowed an Elephant

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Legendary Story Types That Sell in an AI World”?

It’s Bryan Eisenberg’s keynote, exploring why storytelling remains the most effective way to build trust and drive business results, even as AI increasingly dominates content production.

Why was this talk important?

It marked Bryan’s return to the keynote stage after a five-year break. It directly addressed a growing problem in business: messaging that’s automated but meaningless.

What is Bryan Eisenberg best known for?

He coined the terms Conversion Rate Optimization and Persuasion Architecture, founded the first Conversion Optimization agency with his brother in 1998, helped define customer experience strategy, and authored multiple bestselling books, including "Call to Action," "Waiting for Your Cat to Bark?" and "Be Like Amazon."

Why now?

The flood of AI content has created more confusion than clarity. Bryan is helping leaders fix the root issue — the lack of a clear, believable story.

What’s the key takeaway for brands?

Your story is your strategy. AI can scale it. But only you can shape it.

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In a world moving faster than our hearts and heads can keep up with, Bryan and Jeffrey Eisenberg, New York Times bestselling authors of Call to Action and Waiting For Your Cat to Bark, have released a new kind of business book. I Think I Swallowed An Elephant isn’t just about getting more done. It’s about how to stop carrying things that don’t belong to you in the first place.

This book lands at a time when burnout isn’t a buzzword. It’s a baseline.

People feel buried under expectations, distractions, and to-do lists that never end. But Bryan and Jeffrey aren’t offering another hustle strategy. They’re holding out a mirror and handing you a map.

“I wrote this book because I needed it,” says Bryan. “We all swallow invisible elephants. Beliefs, responsibilities, even goals that aren’t ours. It weighs us down until we forget who we are.”

I Think I Swallowed An Elephant leads readers through a personal transformation arc. It starts with overwhelm, moves through clarity, and ends with belief and purpose in action. Yes, there are insights for marketers and entrepreneurs. But it also speaks to anyone who’s asked, How did my life get so far off track?

The Eisenbergs teach readers how to:

• Let go of limiting beliefs and outdated stories
• Redefine success around values, not volume
• Break big problems into digestible, winnable pieces
• Build forward momentum through small, deliberate actions

The book draws from decades of work in behavioral science, marketing, and leadership. But its voice is personal, direct, and human. Each chapter invites readers to pause, reflect, and realign.

“Every once in a while, a book comes along that doesn’t just inform. It reshapes how you think, act, and live,” said Melissa Burdon Cameron, CMO of NSA Storage. “I recommend it to anyone in a season of self-reflection or growth—whether you’re navigating a career shift, seeking clarity in your personal goals, or looking to elevate your business strategy.”

Already praised for its depth, warmth, and practicality, I Think I Swallowed An Elephant is available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook formats.

To order, preview the book, or contact the authors for interviews, visit:

www.bryaneisenberg.com/elephant

Media Contact:

Bryan Eisenberg

📧 Email Contact

📞 (347) 470-GROK (4765)

The weight isn’t the problem.

It’s what you’ve been carrying that was never yours to begin with.

This book helps you set it down and finally take a step forward.

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