Share Your Shift: Scott Taylor on managing the growth of Driverseat Muskoka & District

Scott Taylor and Family alongside Driverseat CEO, Luke Bazely, and staff.

As part of Muskoka Business Week’s Shift Happens series, we spoke with Scott Taylor, Franchise Owner and Operator of Driverseat Muskoka & District, to learn about how this essential transportation service is moving quickly to meet the region’s needs.

Briefly describe your business and the service you offer.

Driverseat Muskoka & District provides customizable, pre-booked shuttle and chauffeur services. We specialize in safe and dependable transportation for groups of 4 to 24 passengers, including airport transfers, wedding and event shuttles, senior and healthcare transport, corporate contracts, and tourism experiences. Our mission is to improve mobility in the community with a professional, reliable, and caring service.

What is one major “shift” or change your business has made in recent years?

Since opening in May 2025, our biggest shift has been adapting quickly to higher-than-expected demand. We launched with a single vehicle but immediately recognized the need to prepare for fleet growth and to begin recruiting additional chauffeurs. This early scaling has allowed us to serve weddings, airport transfers, and community contracts more effectively than we first anticipated.

What challenges did you face during this shift, and how did you overcome them?

The main challenge was balancing rapid growth with maintaining the high level of safety and customer care we are known for. Expanding so soon meant taking on additional costs, recruiting drivers, and adjusting schedules on the fly. We overcame these challenges by leaning on the support of the Driverseat franchise system, building strong community partnerships, and investing in systems that ensure our operations scale without compromising quality.

What has been the most rewarding outcome of adapting to change?

The most rewarding outcome has been being able to say “yes” to more people in our community. Whether it’s ensuring wedding guests get home safely, providing seniors with reliable medical transport, or helping families with stress-free airport transfers, scaling early has meant we can deliver on our promise of safe, dependable, and community-focused transportation.

What advice would you give to other business owners navigating change?

Embrace change as an opportunity rather than a setback. Focus on your community, listen to your customers, and invest in systems that make your operations scalable. Having clear values, a supportive network, and a willingness to innovate will carry you through the most challenging transitions.

How do you see your business continuing to grow or evolve in the future?

We plan to expand our fleet to serve more of Muskoka and Parry Sound, add corporate shuttle contracts, and build stronger partnerships with local healthcare providers, retirement residences, and tourism operators. Our long-term goal is to be the go-to group transportation provider in the region.

What does being part of the Muskoka business community mean to you?

Being part of the Muskoka business community means more than simply operating a service; it means contributing to the fabric of where we live. For us, community is about connection: helping seniors stay independent, ensuring guests get home safely after celebrations, and welcoming visitors who fuel our local tourism economy. It’s also about being collaborative by supporting and learning from fellow business owners so that together we can make Muskoka stronger, more accessible, and more vibrant. At the end of the day, we don’t just drive people from place to place, we connect them to experiences, opportunities, and one another.