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After four decades living in coastal New Hampshire and a successful 23-year sales career in pharma, Anne Murphy faced a common entrepreneurial crossroads. She could either continue in a role that no longer brought her joy or take the leap of launching her own business. After experiencing exactly what she wanted her business to offer, she finally took the leap. She jumped in with both feet and opened Seaglass Harbor Tours in Portsmouth, NH.
Anne’s dream to become a captain took shape during her college years when she took time off from UNH. She learned to sail at the Agamenticus Yacht Club in York Harbor and spent her summers as a dockmaster at Wentworth by the Sea, where she also taught sailing and windsurfing. After college, Anne gained extensive experience delivering boats to Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Florida, and Newport, RI. Each sailing trip brought immense joy, which stood in stark contrast to the four walls of her office.
Entrepreneurs often claim there was a turning point at which they decided to put a stake in the ground. For Anne, that moment occurred during a weekend getaway in Maine. She booked a private sunset cruise for a birthday celebration; expecting an ordinary charter, she instead fell in love with the specific vessel and the intimacy of the experience.
The boat that arrived at the dock that evening was a 22-foot Pulsifer Hampton, a classic handcrafted boat traditionally built in Maine for fishing. Known for its quality construction and seaworthiness, the Pulsifer is a limited-edition craft often called a "timeless beauty."
There were only 113 Pulsifer Hampton boats ever built, but Anne knew there had to be one out there for her. She eventually located one in Rhode Island that had been used by a local family. In the fall of 2023, she brought it home with a plan to restore it over the winter.
Her first season was a huge success. Reflecting on how to grow, Anne reached out to SCORE for guidance. While she possessed the maritime skills, she wanted to sharpen her business acumen. “SCORE helped me understand areas of business that I wasn't yet familiar with but were essential to grasp. Mentor Steve Goldberg was amazing at breaking down complex ideas into easy-to-understand language,” said Anne. Mentor Valerie Plante offered new ideas in sales and promotion, helping Anne reach the right customers.
Seaglass Harbor Tours stands out in two ways: it is the only private charter utilizing a unique Pulsifer Hampton boat and the only female-captained charter operation in the area. The benefit of a shallow-draft boat is that riders can see the landscape much more personally. There is no waiting for bridges to open, and the small footprint allows access to the back channels and coves in and around Portsmouth. Each tour, with up to 6 people and dogs, is themed, allowing customers to choose between a Morning Coffee and Croissant cruise, a Lobster Roll Lunch, a Simple Harbor Tour, or a Romantic Sunset Cruise. Seaglass Harbor Tours also offers complimentary beverages and storytelling experiences that showcase the history of Portsmouth Harbor.
Where It’s Never Too Late to Realize Your Dreams!
You can visit Seaglass Harbor Tours at their website at https://seaglassharbortours.com/ or contact Anne by email at anne@seaglassharbortours.com or by phone at 603-770-4986.
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