We recently connected with Ace Braswell and have shared our conversation below.
Ace , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience was born from my mother’s strength.
I watched her, day after day, carry the weight of the world on her shoulders with grace no one taught her.
She raised us with hands that knew both work and love, mostly on her own, with no applause—just purpose.
Even when life knocked her down, she never stayed there.
She took her lessons, wore her scars like armor, and kept going.
I saw her show up—tired, hurting, silent—but still present.
She taught me that survival isn’t just about making it through—it’s about rising, again and again, even when your heart is heavy.
She didn’t just raise me.
She built the fire in me that refuses to go out.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At the core of what I do is service—and that’s been the theme throughout my life. I spent 8 years in the military, where discipline, resilience, and accountability were instilled in me early on. After that, I worked on and off as a police officer for over 10 years up and down the West Coast. That time on the streets—seeing people at their best and their worst—taught me how to stay calm under pressure, how to think fast, and most importantly, how to serve with integrity.
That experience naturally transitioned me into the world of repossessions and recovery. I had the training, the temperament, and the real-life experience to handle high-stress situations. Eventually, I partnered with Marc, and together we built East Side Towing and Recovery—a company that stands on everything we’ve lived through and learned. We don’t just run a business—we provide a crucial service when people are in real need.
What makes East Side different is that we’re not just towing vehicles—we’re showing up with professionalism, consistency, and care. We understand the urgency and emotion tied to what we do, and we never take that lightly. Our military and law enforcement backgrounds give us a level of discipline and respect that sets us apart in this industry.
Right now, we’re expanding—more trucks, more contracts, and more community impact. We’ve got new services rolling out that will allow us to respond faster, operate smarter, and continue building a brand people can trust.
At the end of the day, East Side Towing and Recovery is about showing up—just like I’ve always done. From serving my country to protecting the streets to recovering vehicles, it’s all been rooted in the same thing: showing up for people when it matters most.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey were discipline, adaptability, and emotional resilience.
Discipline came from my time in the military—it taught me to show up, no matter how I felt. Whether it was 4 a.m. workouts, long hours on the job, or late-night calls for a tow, that mindset of “no excuses, just execution” stuck with me. If you’re just starting out, focus on building a routine and keeping your word to yourself—even when nobody’s watching. That’s where your confidence grows.
Adaptability was crucial in law enforcement and even more so in the towing and recovery world. Things change fast—routes, clients, weather, energy, people. You have to be able to pivot without losing your head. For anyone starting their journey, I’d say: don’t get too attached to how you thought things would go. Stay flexible, keep learning, and move with the moment.
Emotional resilience is what really carried me. I’ve faced burnout, setbacks, disappointment—but I always bounced back. Watching my mom push through life’s challenges taught me that. So to anyone early in their grind: protect your mind. Stay rooted in your “why,” and don’t let failure define you. Let it teach you.
My advice overall? Stay locked in. Success don’t come overnight, but it shows up for the ones who don’t quit.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
If I knew I only had a decade left, I’d spend it fully present, doing what matters most—with the people who matter most. I’d pour into my daughter and son, making sure they know their worth, their power, and their purpose. I’d give them the tools to navigate life with strength, heart, and integrity. I’d make memories that would live long after I’m gone—full of love, laughter, lessons, and legacy.
I’d keep building East Side Towing and Recovery with Marc, but I’d do it with deeper purpose. I wouldn’t just be focused on growth—I’d focus on impact. Creating real opportunities, giving people chances the world doesn’t always offer, and building something solid my kids could be proud of and maybe even carry forward if they choose.
I’d take time to slow down and live, not just hustle. I’d travel, share my story, mentor the next generation, and give back to the same kind of communities I came from. Every day would be about connection, freedom, and intention.
At the end of those ten years, I wouldn’t want to be remembered just for working hard—I’d want to be remembered for loving hard, showing up, and leaving something real and lasting behind for my children and for the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ace.bras
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