Meet the Davidson Homes Team: Adam Davidson
Not many entrepreneurs can say they started a successful business at the age of 24, but Davidson Homes’ Founder and CEO Adam Davidson is an exception. Adam knew while he was still attending college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte that he wanted to pursue a career in home building, and, after two years of working as a superintendent for a public builder in Gulfport, Mississippi, following his college graduation, he decided to take a shot at starting his own company.
Fast-forward to 2018, and Davidson Homes has been around for nine years and has grown from a small, local builder in Priceville, Alabama to a regional company spanning three states that is expected to grow as much as 200 percent within the next year.
Get to know the man behind it all in the Q & A below.
What’s the biggest challenge that you’ve faced in your career, and what did you learn from it?
My biggest challenge so far has been to challenge my own thinking. Thinking big and surrounding yourself with people who have been more successful than you is not an easy thing to do. You have to swallow your pride and open your ears and eyes to learn what they know in order to build upon that knowledge. This has taught me to constantly strive for the next step and never settle for less. I make myself the small fish in a big sea every time I have the chance, which can be hard to do.
How is the construction industry different now than when you started nine years ago?
When I started, there were more home builders. The industry has consolidated tremendously, as everything seems to be more focused on the size and scale of the companies. At the same time, skilled labor has also become much more scarce, making recruitment of the right people a challenge. Luckily, we’ve been able to overcome these hurdles and continue to grow at a steady rate.
Do you have a favorite project on which you’ve worked?
My favorite project so far would have to be our Olde River Crossing community in Priceville, Alabama. It was the first community I developed and the community that ended up getting the company off the ground.
What has owning your own business taught you?
Owning my own business has taught me how to set up systems rather than just perform a task. Many times when we have a problem, I am not at all concerned about the exact problem – I am concerned about how it became a problem. I focus on the reason, which helps prevent future issues that could stem from the same fault.
Do you have any favorite memories since founding Davidson Homes?
Looking back, some of my fondest memories are actually building the homes myself. I helped build the homes for about three years before taking on a more supervisory role. I still enjoy getting out in the field, but I’m not able to do that as much anymore. Working in this industry has also afforded me the opportunity to bring growth to many communities. Oftentimes, retail will follow us, and we’ll start to see shops and restaurants open close to where we’re building. That’s been an amazing thing to witness.
If you could time travel to the past or future, where would you go and why?
If I could time travel, I would go to the future. I like to try and focus on what is ahead and not on what I’ve left behind. Specifically, I would travel 10 years ahead to see the progress the company will make.
Do you have a favorite quote?
“If it’s not right, it’s wrong.” It’s a simple quote, but it says so much and can be applied to anything.
What three words describe your personality?
Optimistic, strategic and driven.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a General Motors executive. I always loved cars when I was little, and this dream is actually written in one of my elementary school yearbooks.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the people with which I have been able to surround myself. Good, honest, hardworking folks. It doesn’t get much better than that!
