For more than 35 years, Bumper to Bumper Accessories has helped drivers throughout Brockton and the South Shore get more from their vehicles. From practical upgrades to custom installations, the team has built a reputation for performing quality workmanship, providing knowledgeable service, and treating every customer like a neighbor.
In our latest client spotlight, Morse Insurance sat down with the owner of Bumper to Bumper, George Polillio, to talk about how the company got its start, what has kept the business thriving since 1990, and why Brockton continues to be the perfect place to call home. We also asked George to share a little about running a successful local business. As a longtime Morse business insurance client, he offered some great perspective and valuable advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps.
If you find yourself in the area, stop by the showroom, say hello to George and his team, and see why generations of South Shore drivers continue to trust Bumper to Bumper.
Morse: Take us back to 1990. What inspired you to start Bumper to Bumper Accessories? What sparked your passion for vehicle customization?
George: My passion started long before I opened the shop. I was the kid that would take everything apart in the house. My family would go to use the can opener, and it’d be in a million pieces. Even at a young age, I was curious about what made things work.
When it came to cars, I was born into it. My dad owned a construction company and worked on heavy equipment, and my stepdad was a classic car collector and restorer. Between the two of them, I was always around vehicles, learning how they came apart and went back together.
I worked in the automotive field throughout high school and joined a company called Auto Sound after graduation, where I learned how to install automotive accessories. Before long, I decided I wanted to build something of my own. I started a small company called George’s Car Stereo, and over time, it grew into what is now Bumper to Bumper Accessories.
Morse: You’ve been serving the South Shore for nearly 40 years. What made Brockton the right place to build your business?
George: I’ve been in Brockton for a long time, and I couldn’t picture myself building this business anywhere else. I came here when I was 19 or 20 because this is where the car scene was. It was where people who loved cars gathered, and it just felt like the right fit.
Like any city, it has its ups and downs, but there’s a mutual respect between our business, our clients, and our neighbors. I couldn’t imagine having that same continuity anywhere else but here.
Being centrally located has also been a huge advantage. Over the years, we’ve built a customer base that stretches well beyond Brockton. We have people coming from Lowell, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and all across the South Shore.
Morse: Your son works with you at the shop. What has it meant to you to have him along for the ride?
George: For a long time, I didn’t know what would happen to the business when the time came for me to move on and see what the next chapter brings. It’s a much clearer picture now. My son, George III, has the same passion as I had at his age. In eighth grade, he told my wife and me, “I want to go to vo-tech school and learn the automobile trade like Dad.”
He’s 24 years old now and has been with me here at the shop going on seven years. I had the opportunity to build Bumper to Bumper Accessories from the ground up, and now he’ll have the opportunity to build on that foundation and bring it to the next level.
Morse: When someone walks into your Brockton showroom, what kind of experience can they expect?
George: I’ve always prided myself in meeting people at the counter and making sure they feel comfortable walking through the door, browsing the store, and asking questions. In retail, it’s not easy to get someone to make the trip out to your business. That experience in itself is special, so you want them to feel appreciated from the moment they walk in.
It’s also important to me to keep the store looking clean, professional, and inviting so people enjoy coming here. It’s not a greasy garage environment. It’s a more upbeat place where music is playing and people can feel comfortable spending time and asking questions.
Morse: Your website’s slogan is “We Do it All!” Looking at everything you offer, from truck accessories to marine audio and powersports, Bumper to Bumper really seems to live up to that promise. Did you always envision offering such a wide range of services, or did that grow over time?
George: The business started with automotive accessories, but it’s definitely grown over the years. In the early days, the main part of my business was remote starter installations. Then, we shifted toward Bluetooth when that became popular. Now, we’re helping people seamlessly integrate their phones into their vehicles, and we’re putting CD players back into newer cars.
We’re always looking for the next thing that gets people excited. For some, cars are just a means of transportation. But if you can offer them a better driving experience, they’ll finally stop at the shop they’ve driven past for the last 30 years. There’s a lot of satisfaction in seeing people enjoy the vehicle you’ve helped create.
We’re also a full-service shop, so we help people in a million different ways. We’ve become very diversified, so we can honestly say, “We do it all.”
Morse: Many of your clients have likely been with you for years. What has it meant to you to grow alongside different families and generations of drivers in the South Shore community?
George: Back when I started Bumper to Bumper, a lot of people my age and older were my clients. We were just kids fixing up our Chevy Corsicas, Chevy Berettas, Chevy Camaros, and Pontiac Firebirds. Now, we’re working on their work vans, pickup trucks, and motorcycles, and putting window tint, tires, and stereos in their kids’ cars.
It’s a surreal experience, seeing multiple generations come through the shop. Just like how I share coffee with my dad here in the mornings and have my son working alongside me, it’s rewarding to watch families grow while continuing to support the store and what we do.
Morse: Speaking of growing alongside the community, you’ve been a client of Morse for well over 20 years now. Why did you choose them as your insurance partner?
George: There’s a reason why I’ve been with Morse for as long as I have: It’s easy. It’s all about family. It’s the experience you get when there’s a loss, when it matters most. That’s when you need someone to shine.
Any insurance company could take my money, but it’s what happens when there’s a problem that matters. It’s knowing that you have someone that’s watching your back, checking in to make sure you’ve got the right coverage. That’s when you see the guys at Morse rise to the top. They’re there for you and take great care of you.
Dan, Tim, and Brian have all been unbelievable. They were customers of Bumper to Bumper before I became a Morse client, and we’ve built an incredible partnership throughout the years.
Morse: For someone in Brockton or the surrounding South Shore area looking to start their own automotive or local service business, what is the number one piece of advice you would give them?
George: In the early years of business, you’re never really sure if you’re making the right decisions. A lot of times you just rely on your instincts and hope you’re on the right path.
Nobody will ever fault you for being the hardest worker. It sounds like a cliché, but I’ve turned the lights on every morning and shut them off every night for well over 30 years now, and I attribute a lot of my success to just being here. Showing up consistently makes all the difference.
Morse, of course, thanks George Polillio for setting aside time to share his story. To learn more about Bumper to Bumper Accessories, visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.
We thoroughly enjoy sharing stories like George’s in our client spotlights. We invite you to explore the other local businesses we’ve featured on our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to be notified when we post new spotlights and share other relevant news.
In the meantime, if you need assistance with finding business insurance coverage, please give us a call. We would be glad to review your current commercial policies for any gaps or savings opportunities and provide a quote for a new policy. Morse, of course, is here to assist you in finding the best business insurance solutions to protect your success story.