Like many people, when school teacher Murdock Forsythe retired he simply had too much time on his hands. An opportunity to start a touring business seemed like an ideal way to meet new people, stay busy and share his knowledge of the beautiful south coast of Nova Scotia.

Going from teaching to touring was a complementary route for Murdock to take, judging by the pleased passengers and consistent growth in his business.

Day by the Seas tours is a seasonal business in which the cash flows in during the summer but goes out all year. Mrudock's increased his prices moderately, going from 50 dollars to 52 and now 55. The next price raise will be to 59 dollars.

Murdock doesn't offer a family plan and there are no car seats for kids. Besides, the ghost stories, UFO's and haunted house tales on the tour might scare children. His target market is mainly older adults and seniors.

Murdock has to plan ahead. That planning got thrown off a bit when he bought the new van. His unusually large HST submission as a result of the purchase set off a Revenue Canada audit. Everything was fine but he felt the pinch waiting for the money.

Murdock made certain Day by the Sea was a limited liability company, for tax purposes and for limited liability.


Since he started, the business has increased about 20 percent a year.