We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marielle a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marielle, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur?
Success as an entrepreneur isn’t about having a perfect plan from the start—it’s about adaptability, persistence, and passion. When I started Aquamermaid, I didn’t have a blueprint for turning mermaid swimming into a full-time business. But I knew two things: I was passionate about it, and I was willing to figure it out as I went.

Entrepreneurship is about taking action before you feel fully ready. You learn by doing—testing ideas, making mistakes, and adjusting quickly. It’s also about being resourceful. I didn’t wait for someone to offer me a job as a professional mermaid; I created the job myself. That’s a mindset that every entrepreneur needs to have.

Another key is being a problem solver. At Aquamermaid, I constantly find myself figuring out logistics—how to scale our mermaid classes across different cities, how to make performances work in unique event spaces, and even how to train synchronized swimmers for entertainment gigs on cruise ships. The ability to think creatively and embrace challenges is what keeps the business growing.

Do you have any stories that illustrate your point?
One moment that really shaped my entrepreneurial journey happened early on when I was launching my mermaid classes. I saw potential demand, but I wasn’t sure how to get people in the door. Instead of overthinking, I went straight to action—I reached out to influencers, gave free trials to get social proof, and started marketing with a mix of storytelling and visuals. The first few classes sold out, and I realized that execution beats perfection every time.

Another lesson came from expanding internationally. I had to navigate hiring performers in different cities, managing pools remotely, and ensuring consistent quality across locations. Instead of seeing these as roadblocks, I treated them as exciting puzzles to solve. A growth mindset is crucial—every challenge is just another step toward expansion.

Entrepreneurship isn’t about luck; it’s about resilience. You need the courage to start, the patience to build, and the determination to keep going when things don’t go as planned. If you have a vision and you’re willing to put in the work, success will follow.

Marielle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Meet Mermaid Marielle: The Entrepreneur Behind Aquamermaid
My name is Marielle Chartier Henault, and I turned my childhood dream of being a mermaid into a thriving business! I’m the founder of Aquamermaid, a company that brings the magic of mermaids to life through mermaid swimming classes, professional mermaid performances, and synchronized swimming entertainment across North America.

How I Got Started
I’ve always had a passion for water, modelling, and fitness. Growing up in Montreal, Canada, I took some scuba diving and free diving certifications, which eventually led me to the world of mermaiding. While traveling, I noticed that mermaid swimming was gaining popularity but hadn’t yet become widely available as a structured experience. That’s when I saw an opportunity—not just to introduce people to the sport but to create a whole new industry around it.

In 2015, I launched Aquamermaid, starting with classes where anyone—kids and adults—could learn how to swim like a mermaid in a safe and fun environment. Since then, we’ve grown into a multi-city operation that offers:

Mermaid swimming lessons (for kids, adults, and even bachelorette parties!)

Professional mermaid performances for events, including birthday parties, corporate events, and public shows

Synchronized swimming entertainment for luxury events, private clubs, resorts, and even cruise ships

Mermaid tail sales—helping people find the perfect tail to make their mermaid dreams come true

What Problems Do We Solve?
Aquamermaid is all about making fantasy a reality—whether it’s for kids who dream of becoming mermaids, adults looking for a fun and unique way to exercise, or event planners who want a jaw-dropping aquatic performance to wow their guests.

We also break down barriers. Many people assume that mermaiding is just for kids or that they need to be professional swimmers to do it. That’s not true! Our lessons are for everyone, and we help people discover a new passion they didn’t know they had.

For corporate clients, we provide high-end entertainment that’s unlike anything else. Whether it’s a luxury resort wanting exclusive mermaid shows or a cruise line looking for elite synchronized swimmers, we deliver stunning, custom performances tailored to their needs.

What Sets Us Apart?
We Are Pioneers in the Industry – When I started Aquamermaid, there were very few structured mermaid schools. I helped shape this industry and built a brand that now operates in multiple cities across Canada and the U.S.

Professionalism & High Standards – Our mermaids and swimmers aren’t just performers; they’re highly trained athletes, synchronized swimmers, and professionals who bring authenticity to every event.

Customization for Every Client – From kids’ birthday parties to luxury poolside entertainment, we create custom-tailored experiences that make every event unique.

Empowerment Through Fun – Mermaiding is more than just a performance—it’s a way to build confidence, body positivity, and a sense of adventure in people of all ages.

Strong Online & Social Media Presence – I’ve built a dedicated following on social media, where I share my life as a professional mermaid, behind-the-scenes content, and exciting new projects.

What I’m Most Proud Of
Expanding Aquamermaid into a multi-city brand and providing jobs for women in aquatic entertainment

Seeing the joy on people’s faces when they put on a mermaid tail for the first time

Booking high-profile entertainment gigs, including for luxury resorts, cruise ships, and international events

Being a guest on podcasts and media outlets that celebrate entrepreneurship and creativity

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a mermaid—whether for fun, fitness, or entertainment—Aquamermaid is here to make that happen! I love sharing this unique world with people and helping others turn their dreams into reality, just like I did.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a multi-channel marketing approach that combines organic social media, strategic partnerships, SEO, and direct outreach to key decision-makers. Here’s what has worked best for me:

1. Social Media & Viral Content
Since mermaiding is highly visual, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have been essential for attracting new clients. I focus on:
✅ Frequent posts showcasing mermaid transformations, performances, and behind-the-scenes clips
✅ SEO-optimized YouTube videos that rank for search terms like “how to swim like a mermaid”
✅ Engaging Instagram Reels & Stories featuring event highlights and customer testimonials

This strategy has led to viral moments that drive traffic to my website and generate bookings.

2. Leveraging Media & PR
I actively pitch my business to local and national media—from TV news segments to online articles. Some highlights include:
✅ Being featured in Forbes, Buzzfeed, and local news stations
✅ Organizing free mermaid classes for influencers and journalists in exchange for coverage
✅ Getting featured on podcasts and industry blogs to share my entrepreneurial journey

These media appearances increase brand credibility and introduce Aquamermaid to new audiences.

3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
I’ve invested in making sure my website ranks well for keywords like “mermaid party rental,” “mermaid lessons near me,” and “hire a mermaid performer.”
✅ I publish blog content that answers common client questions
✅ I optimize my location pages for different cities

SEO is a long-term strategy, but it consistently brings in new clients who are actively searching for my services.

4. Strategic Partnerships
Partnering with hotels, resorts, and event planners has been a game-changer.
✅ I connect with Directors of Leisure & Recreation at luxury hotels to offer exclusive mermaid entertainment
✅ I build relationships with event planners and booking agencies who recommend Aquamermaid to their clients
✅ I collaborate with synchronized swimming teams to provide elite aquatic performances for high-end events

This B2B approach helps me land repeat, high-value clients instead of relying only on individual bookings.

5. Direct Outreach & Networking
I don’t wait for opportunities—I create them.
✅ I personally reach out to event planners, cruise ship entertainment directors, and luxury property managers
✅ I attend business networking events and tourism expos to pitch my services
✅ I use cold email outreach to introduce my brand to corporate clients

This proactive approach has helped me book large-scale events, including synchronized swimming performances on cruise ships.

There’s no single strategy that works alone—it’s about layering multiple approaches to keep a steady flow of clients. Social media builds awareness, SEO brings in organic leads, PR boosts credibility, partnerships provide recurring business, and direct outreach lands big contracts.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

The Two-Year Journey to Paying Myself a Salary
When I started Aquamermaid, I was so passionate about bringing mermaid swimming to life that I focused entirely on growth—without thinking about my own paycheck. It took me two years before I could finally pay myself a salary, and along the way, I learned some tough but valuable business lessons.

The Mistakes That Delayed My Salary
💸 Not Tracking Where the Money Was Going – In the beginning, I was reinvesting everything back into the business, but I wasn’t tracking expenses properly. Money was flowing in and out, but I didn’t have a clear financial strategy, which led to cash flow issues.

🤝 Trusting People Without Payment Agreements – I made the mistake of trusting that clients, partners, and event planners would pay after the service. Some never did. I learned the hard way to always control the money, request deposits, and get paid upfront.

📉 Large Investments Without Immediate Return – I took big risks early on—one of the biggest was deciding to sell my own mermaid tails. I flew to China to meet manufacturers, test fin designs, and negotiate production. The minimum order quantity was 500 units, which meant I had to invest a significant amount of money upfront. Suddenly, my house was filled with mermaid tails that I needed to sell before I could see any profit.

The China Trip Disaster – A Lesson in Preparedness
Traveling to China for the first time was a huge challenge. I had carefully scheduled all my meetings in Google Calendar—only to realize once I arrived that Google is banned in China!

🌏 I couldn’t access my schedule, contacts, or even my emails.
💻 I spent the entire night trying VPNs, desperately trying to get just two minutes of internet access to download my itinerary.
😢 I was in tears, panicking that I would miss my factory visits and ruin the entire trip.

Lesson learned? Always have a backup plan. Now, I never travel without offline copies of my itinerary and critical business documents.

How I Turned Things Around & Started Paying Myself
✅ Tightened Cash Flow Management – I started tracking every dollar and ensuring that I had enough profit margins to pay myself consistently.
✅ Implemented Pre-Payment Policies – No more unpaid invoices! Now, clients pay in advance, ensuring I’m never left chasing money.
✅ Leveraged Inventory for Stability – Once I found the right sales channels, selling mermaid tails became a reliable income stream that helped smooth out cash flow.
✅ Diversified Revenue Streams – Instead of relying solely on in-person classes, I added mermaid tail sales, performer bookings, and online experiences to increase income.

The Moment I Finally Paid Myself
Two years in, I finally had stable revenue and cash flow. The moment I transferred my first official salary, it felt like proof that my business was real and sustainable.

Now, I always tell new entrepreneurs: “Get your money right from the start. Track every dollar, control payments, and always have a backup plan.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aquamermaid.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquamermaidschool/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aquamermaidevents
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marielle-chartier-h%C3%A9nault-ab413020/?originalSubdomain=ca
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aquamermaidschool
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mermaid.marielle