Today we’d like to introduce you to Tasha Haight.
Hi Tasha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey into this work grew out of a lifelong love of storytelling, performance, and the ocean. What started as creating a mermaid character for appearances quickly evolved once I saw how meaningful those encounters could be — especially for kids. I realized this wasn’t just entertainment; it was a way to spark imagination, confidence, and curiosity about the ocean.
In the beginning, I was doing everything myself, but as bookings expanded into residencies and larger partnerships, Mermaid Tasha grew into a full company with trained performers and structured programming. Along the way, I became a Mermaid Instructor Trainer with PADI and began writing children’s books that weave ocean conservation into mermaid adventures.
More recently, appearing on MerPeople helped shine a light on this unique industry and the work we’ve been building for years. Today, what began as one mermaid with an idea has grown into a brand focused on immersive experiences, training, and storytelling that connects people to the ocean.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many small business owners, I learned a lot by doing — and sometimes by doing things the hard way.
One of the biggest challenges early on was working with venues that didn’t fully understand what went into professional mermaid performance. Because this industry is still relatively new, some clients initially viewed it as novelty entertainment rather than a specialized aquatic service requiring training, safety planning, and significant preparation. That sometimes led to issues with contracts, unrealistic expectations, or delayed payments, which can be especially tough when you’re a small business managing gear, travel, and team compensation.
I also had to learn quickly how to advocate for the value of the work — setting clearer agreements, requiring deposits, and educating clients on what safe, professional aquatic performance actually involves. Those lessons weren’t always easy, but they helped shape how I run the company today, with stronger systems and clearer boundaries.
Another challenge was simply scaling responsibly. Moving from being a solo performer to managing a team meant building training standards, safety protocols, and scheduling structures from scratch. It required shifting from “Can I do this?” to “Can we sustain this?” — which is a different mindset entirely.
Looking back, though, those struggles forced me to build a more professional, resilient business. They pushed me to create better contracts, better processes, and clearer communication with venues. So while it wasn’t smooth, it was formative — and it ultimately helped the company grow into something stronger and more sustainable.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mermaid Tasha LLC?
Mermaid Tasha LLC is an entertainment and education company that specializes in immersive character experiences, aquatic performance, and professional training — but the heart of the brand is storytelling in all its forms.
While we’re best known for professional mermaid performances at resorts, amusement parks, and events, our offerings extend beyond the water. We also provide non-aquatic characters like pirates and fairies, which allows venues and clients to build full themed experiences rather than booking a single performer. That flexibility has helped position us as a creative partner for events, not just a specialty act.
Training and education are another core part of what we do. As a Mermaid Instructor Trainer with PADI, I teach mermaid certification courses and help shape safety and performance standards in this growing field. That focus on professionalism is a big part of what sets us apart — we treat this as a skilled discipline, not just novelty entertainment.
More recently, I’ve also stepped into speaking and industry education. I present at conventions and professional gatherings on topics ranging from character entertainment to branding and publishing. I was the first mermaid invited to speak at Kapital Kidvention, and I’m also presenting at the Women in Publishing Summit this March, where I share how storytelling, branding, and performance intersect. That side of the work allows me to support other creatives while expanding the conversation around what this industry can be.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is that Mermaid Tasha has grown into something bigger than a character. It’s a platform that combines entertainment, education, and storytelling — whether that’s through live experiences, certification training, books, or speaking. Being featured on MerPeople helped bring visibility to this work, but the mission has always been the same: create meaningful moments of wonder while maintaining strong professional standards.
What I want readers to know is that our brand isn’t just about costumes or appearances. It’s about crafting experiences, supporting venues and audiences, and using storytelling to create connection — whether that’s poolside, on stage, or at a conference podium.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I think we’ll see the mermaid and character performance industry grow in both size and professionalism. More people are discovering mermaiding as a career or hobby, and that’s exciting, but it also means safety and training will become even more important. I hope to see certification programs like PADI Mermaid and broader safety standards become more widely adopted, so that performers can work confidently and venues can trust they’re hiring skilled professionals.
Another trend I’m noticing is mermaids branching into storytelling beyond live performance. More performers are writing children’s books, creating educational content, and using their characters to teach about ocean conservation, kindness, or other life lessons. This expansion into publishing and media allows the industry to reach new audiences, deepen its impact, and provide more sustainable career options for performers.
Overall, I see the industry becoming more professional, more educational, and more creative — blending performance, storytelling, and purpose in ways that go far beyond novelty entertainment.
Pricing:
- Certifications starting at $300
- Entertainment starting at $350/hour with discounts available for repeat performances and location
- Children’s books available starting at $9.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mermaidtasha.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mermaidtasha
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mermaidtasha
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mermaidtasha
- Other: https://linktr.ee/mermaidtasha
