Nearly forty years ago, Travis Johnson walked into Rockland Trust to start a savings account for his paper route earnings in South Plymouth. Little did he know he was about to start a decades-long relationship with a bank that helped him turn a side hustle into a booming business.
Fast forward to 2025, and Travis is the owner of Performance Automotive & Towing, located in the neighborhood where he was born and raised. A successful business specializing in vintage and classic car maintenance and repairs, he’s grown his operation from a garage gig to a thriving enterprise. In addition to his classic car services, the towing operation now includes 14 trucks.
Travis and his team are getting ready to open the doors to a second location in Carver, which will accommodate its tremendous growth and offer overnight accommodations to its dedicated team of drivers.
He credits his ability to grow his fleet and expand operations in large part to his partnership with his local Rockland Trust banking team.
A History of Service
Nearly 25 years ago and already a steadfast personal banking customer, Travis visited his local Rockland Trust branch to secure a loan to grow Performance Automotive & Towing from his garage into a proper brick-and-mortar location. Built in the 1920s, the garage was once a car dealership and showroom, now transformed into a shop with multiple bays (but with much of its original charm).
“The support from the bank has been hands-down the best, right from the beginning,” Travis said. With the support of the branches and his business banker, Eve Elliott, Travis has leveraged commercial property loans, lines of credit for new tow trucks, and specialized equipment like a dynamometer, a device that measures force, torque and power.
Travis explained that it’s Rockland Trust’s willingness to think outside the box and work in partnership to achieve his goals that keep him loyal. “They’re always willing to take a chance on me,” he explained.
In discussing his relationship with Rockland Trust, Travis recalled a moment when the Rockland Trust team raced against the clock to help him secure a wire transfer before a same-day deadline. “At 4:58 p.m., the money came through,” Travis said. “They worked on it all afternoon. I’ll never forget that.” It’s that kind of loyalty and relationship-based service, Travis said, that he reflects in his own work at Performance Automotive & Towing.
Relationships Make All the Difference
Great partnerships often stem from shared values, and like the team at Rockland Trust, Travis said he operates his company on a foundation of loyalty, trust and strong customer service—particularly important qualities in a community-based business.
For example, working with a local bank allowed Travis to find alternatives to his previous merchant services vendor so that he could pass on savings from reduced credit card fees to his customers, allowing him to reduce the cost of his own services. These savings keep his customers continually coming back to Performance Automotive & Towing.
“We’re loyal to our customers, and part of that is providing good service,” Travis said. “The trust and customer service I experience with Rockland Trust are what I share with my customers.”
That same loyalty, too, applies to the way Travis treats his employees. In his plans for a second location, he made sure to build out a lounge for drivers working long hours, often overnight or in inclement weather. Expected to open this spring, this location will provide drivers with a safe, comfortable place to rest as they work.
“They’re always there for me,” Travis said. “That’s the relationship I have with my bank and my branch manager.”
Starting or Growing a Business With the Right Team
