Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Gallagher.
Hi Erin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My mom loves to joke, “When your 4-year-old tells you she’s going to be a mermaid when she grows up… maybe you should believe her!” The ocean has always been my greatest passion. Growing up as a beach kid in Florida, falling in love with the sea came naturally. That childhood dream of becoming a mermaid led me down a few of the more “standard avenues” like competitive swimming, scuba diving certifications, and eventually a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology. But even I couldn’t have imagined that it would all lead to a successful career as a professional mermaid and the co-founder of a thriving business making silicone mermaid tails.
It all started when I was working as a Dive Master at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa. I had the opportunity to help create an underwater “mermaid show,” where we would perform in a tank as mermaids in front of an audience. Naturally, we wanted the most realistic tails we could find. That search introduced me to silicone mermaid tails, specifically the kind that would later become our signature product.
When we struggled to find a quality tail on the market, my now-husband Michael and I realized there was a significant gap in the industry. We started researching how to make our own tails, first for our shows, and then with the dream of selling them one day. That was nearly 14 years ago. Today, our company, MerNation, is the world’s leading producer of fully customized silicone mermaid tails, each one handcrafted by us in our studio in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all! This journey has had its fair share of challenges. Designing a product that fits like a second skin, allows for fluid swimming in any condition, and is both durable and magical-looking is no small task. Balancing beauty with functionality took years of trial and error. We spent countless (and costly!) hours testing materials, refining our techniques, and learning the ins and outs of working with silicone (and with each other!)…both very temperamental materials 😉
Michael and I weren’t trained artists when we started. Sculpting in clay, creating molds, and airbrushing were all brand-new skills for us. But we self taught ourselves everything we needed to know, and the learning never stops.
On top of the creative hurdles, we’ve also faced personal and business-related setbacks. One of the biggest challenges was losing our home and studio during Hurricane Helene this past year. Even through that devastation, we remained committed to delivering our clients’ dream tails. It was difficult, but the joy we bring to people, turning their dreams into reality, makes every obstacle worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At MerNation Inc. we specialize in handcrafted, full-silicone mermaid tails and professional mermaid performances. Our tails are made from “Dragon Skin,” a high-grade silicone commonly used in special effects. It’s soft, stretchy, and incredibly lifelike. Each tail is custom-fitted to the client’s exact measurements and hand-painted with their unique design. Inside the fluke (the tail’s fin), there’s a monofin that allows for powerful and graceful swimming.
What makes us truly unique is that every single tail is made by just the two of us, me and Michael. Keeping production 100% in-house allows us to maintain exceptional quality and build close connections with our clients. This personal touch is something we take great pride in.
We’ve also had the honor of performing in some incredible places, from a transparent shipping-container pool in the heart of Manhattan during ComicCon to promote Freeform’s Siren, to working on special projects for celebrities like Katy Perry and Shakira. It’s a career full of surprises. You never know where the next opportunity might lead!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Rather than luck, I believe our journey has been about taking chances and a lot of hard work. MerNation was born from spotting an opportunity and being confident enough to act on it. But its continued success is rooted in how we chose to build and operate the business.
From day one, we’ve prioritized exceptional customer service. These tails are a major investment, some clients save for years to buy one, so we make it a point to treat every customer with the respect, excitement, and attention they deserve. We answer every question, share in their anticipation, and ensure the experience is just as magical as the product itself.
That said, it’s hard not to feel lucky when you get to make dreams come true for a living. Every tail we create, and event we produce, helps someone step into a fantasy they’ve cherished for years, and we never take that for granted.
Pricing:
- Starting at $2000
- Average cost $4000-$5000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themernation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_mernation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMerNation/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MerNation
