Adam Ellis is the founder and owner of ACE Waterproofing & Basement Solutions, a purpose-driven foundation repair and waterproofing company serving homeowners throughout Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Since starting the business from rented storage units in 2018, Adam has grown ACE from a one-man operation into a company with 24 full-time employees and more than $4 million in annual revenue. His journey from addiction and incarceration to entrepreneurship shaped his belief that strong foundations—whether in homes, businesses, or people—change everything.
Driven by the philosophy, "There's no such thing as a bad day—only character-building days," Adam believes that adversity is an opportunity for growth and that businesses exist to develop people, not just generate profit. Through leadership, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to integrity, he is passionate about protecting families by protecting their homes, developing leaders who raise the standard of the skilled trades, and proving that a person's past does not determine their future. His mission is simple: to leave every home, every business, and every person stronger than he found them.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:
- That your past does not define your future when you choose personal responsibility, discipline, and consistent action.
- How a positive mindset transforms setbacks into character-building opportunities that create lasting personal and professional growth.
- Why embracing adversity instead of avoiding it strengthens resilience, confidence, and long-term success.
- How purpose-driven leadership builds stronger teams, healthier workplace cultures, and more sustainable businesses.
- Why investing in people, integrity, and trust consistently delivers greater long-term results than chasing profit alone.
- That changing your mindset is the first step toward changing your circumstances and creating a better future.
- How addressing root causes instead of temporary fixes protects both your home and your financial investment.
- Why strong leadership begins with developing people before focusing on business growth and financial success.
- That understanding foundation and waterproofing issues helps homeowners prevent costly damage before it becomes a major problem.
- How building strong foundations—in your home, business, and personal life—creates lasting stability and meaningful success.
about the show
Behind every construction site, repair shop, factory floor, and local business is an entrepreneur who built something real.
"America's Best Builders" is a cinematic business docuseries that shines a spotlight on the blue-collar founders and operators powering the real economy. These are the contractors, tradespeople, manufacturers, and business owners who built their companies through hard work, leadership, and relentless execution.
Each episode takes viewers inside the journey of a successful operator, revealing how they turned skills, grit, and determination into thriving businesses that employ teams, serve communities, and stand the test of time.
From construction firms and trucking companies to repair shops, manufacturing facilities, and service businesses, "America's Best Builders" celebrates the entrepreneurs who rolled up their sleeves, took the risks, and built something that lasts.
This is about the men and women who built real businesses, brick by brick, crew by crew, job by job.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML