Relocating a business is never simply about changing addresses.
For a family-owned company with nearly eight decades of history, it’s about balancing legacy with opportunity, honoring the past while planning for the future, and making decisions that will strengthen the business for the next generation.
Earlier this year, Starr Bus Charter & Tours relocated its headquarters from Hamilton Township, New Jersey, to Fairless Hills in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was one of the most significant milestones in our company’s 79-year history. The move brought its share of challenges, but it also reinforced valuable lessons about leadership, workforce development, company culture, and the importance of strong industry relationships.
Looking back, I’m reminded that meaningful change doesn’t happen because it’s easy. It happens because you believe the future will be stronger than the past.
Every Big Decision Begins with “Why”
Businesses relocate for many reasons. Sometimes it’s space, sometimes it’s cost, and sometimes it’s access to new markets.
For us, the decision was driven by a combination of strategic planning and personal conviction.
Like many motorcoach operators, recruiting and retaining professional drivers remains one of our highest priorities. A significant portion of Starr’s driving team lives in or near Philadelphia, making Bucks County a more convenient location for many current and prospective employees. Positioning ourselves closer to a larger pool of potential drivers wasn’t simply about geography. It was about investing in the long-term strength of our workforce.
The move also brought us closer to a growing customer base while providing greater visibility for the company and new opportunities to expand our charter, tour, and group travel business throughout the region.
But the decision wasn’t based solely on business metrics. My husband, Pete, and I have called Bucks County home for the past 28 years, and bringing Starr here felt deeply personal. Starr’s roots will always be in New Jersey, where previous generations of our family built the company over nearly eight decades. As third-generation owners, we saw this move as an opportunity to honor that legacy while positioning the business for its future in the community we proudly call home.
Sometimes business decisions are supported not only by financial projections, but also by a genuine belief that you’ve found the right place to grow.
Community Matters More Than You Realize
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey wasn’t the logistics of the move. It was the incredible welcome we received from our new community.
Long before we finalized the move, the team at Visit Bucks County embraced Starr as a future partner. They introduced us to local tourism leaders, connected us with businesses throughout the region, and helped us begin building relationships before we officially opened our doors. They didn’t view Starr simply as a company relocating to Bucks County. They welcomed us as a partner invested in the future of the region and its thriving tourism economy. It isn’t every day that a community gets to welcome a third-generation, family-owned transportation company choosing to call it home, and their enthusiasm reflected that.
Our local elected leaders showed us that same spirit of partnership, and the Bucks County Office of Workforce & Economic Development has been (and still is) invaluable as we worked through the practical realities of the move. Their support reminded us that Bucks County isn’t just welcoming new businesses. It’s investing in their success.
That experience reinforced something many of us in the tourism industry already know: communities thrive when businesses, destination organizations, and local leaders work together toward a shared vision.
For motorcoach operators and tourism businesses, the destinations we serve are more than stops on an itinerary. They are communities filled with partners who help us create memorable experiences for travelers. When those relationships are strong, everyone benefits: the businesses, the destinations, and most importantly, the visitors who come to experience them.
Don’t Overlook the Chance to Rebuild with Intention
It would have been easy to recreate what we already had.
Instead, we challenged ourselves to ask a different question: if we were building Starr from the ground up today, what would it look like?
Rather than focusing only on square footage or office layouts, we focused on how people work together. One of our primary goals was creating a workspace that encouraged collaboration across every part of our organization. While our drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, operations team, and office staff had technically worked under one extended roof before, the layout of our previous facility created physical barriers. Separate entrances, numerous walls and doors, and disconnected workspaces often limited the spontaneous conversations and day-to-day interaction that help teams learn from one another and solve problems together.
As we designed our new headquarters, we had the opportunity to be intentional. Every space was thoughtfully planned to encourage communication, visibility, and teamwork. Today, employees from every department cross paths throughout the day, making it easier to share ideas, support one another, and gain a deeper appreciation for the role each person plays in delivering an exceptional experience for our customers. Collaboration no longer requires a meeting. It’s become part of our everyday culture.
Most importantly, our facility reflects what matters most to us. As owners, we’re incredibly proud of our fleet, our tours, and the experiences we create for our guests. But what we’re most proud of is the opportunity to be an employer and create a workplace where people can build meaningful careers, develop friendships, and feel connected to something larger than themselves. Creating a workplace that supports that culture wasn’t a bonus of the move. It was one of the primary reasons for making it.
Buildings don’t create culture. People do. Thoughtful spaces just help great cultures flourish.
The Best Advice Often Comes from Your Peers
One of my favorite things about the motorcoach and group travel industry is how willing people are to help one another.
As we planned our move, we reached out to friends and colleagues who had gone through similar experiences. John Bailey of Bailey Coach had recently completed a relocation of his own and graciously invited us to tour his new facility. He openly shared ideas that had worked well, pointed out things he would approach differently, and offered practical advice that only comes from firsthand experience.
That generosity is something I’ve experienced throughout my career, whether through the American Bus Association, the International Motorcoach Group, the Pennsylvania Bus Association, or simply the relationships built over decades in this business. Our industry has a remarkable culture of collaboration. We may compete for business, but we also understand that strengthening the motorcoach industry benefits all of us.
Some of the best ideas aren’t found in textbooks or business seminars. They’re discovered through conversations with people who have already faced the same challenges.
Change Doesn’t Mean Leaving Your Legacy Behind
Relocating a company with nearly 80 years of history naturally brings a mix of excitement and emotion. You think about the generations who built the business before you. You remember employees who spent decades walking through the doors of the previous location. You recognize the responsibility that comes with leading a family business into its next chapter.
There were moments when the move felt overwhelming. There were countless decisions, unexpected obstacles, and days when progress seemed slower than we hoped. But throughout the process, we kept coming back to one simple question: will this make Starr stronger for the next generation? If the answer was yes, the temporary discomfort was worth it.
Looking Ahead
The transportation and tourism industries continue to evolve. Workforce challenges, technology, changing traveler expectations, and new opportunities will continue to shape the future of our businesses, and every operator will eventually face decisions that require balancing tradition with innovation.
For us, relocating wasn’t about leaving New Jersey behind. It was about positioning Starr for continued growth while staying true to the values that have guided our family since 1947: putting people first, building lasting relationships, embracing innovation, and delivering exceptional travel experiences.
Our address may have changed. Our commitment to our employees, our customers, and our industry never will.
If there’s one lesson this experience reinforced, it’s this: successful change isn’t about leaving your past behind. It’s about honoring where you’ve been while thoughtfully building where you’re going.
And that’s a journey every family business eventually takes.
Sandy Borowsky is Executive Vice President and a third-generation owner of Starr Bus Charter & Tours. Founded in 1947, Starr provides charter transportation, escorted tours, and group travel services throughout the Northeast. Sandy is actively involved in the motorcoach and tourism industries through leadership roles with organizations including the American Bus Association, International Motorcoach Group, and Pennsylvania Bus Association. She is passionate about advancing the industry through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to creating exceptional travel experiences.
