Today we’d like to introduce you to Montana Morgan.
Hi Montana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Montana Morgan and I’m a professional mermaid!
I’ve always been fascinated with nature, particularly ocean life, and followed my dreams into college where I earned my degree in Zoology. After college, I continued to follow my passions by focusing on our oceans and the joys of exploration via the eyes of a mermaid.
I’m proud to say that I I’ve become PADI Freedive L2 and PADI Rescue Dive certified. I also earned my Emergency First Response certification in first aid and CPR!
I own Iron Shore Mermaid LLC, co-own Professional Mermaids of Oklahoma LLC, and partner with Wands & Wishes Occasions where we travel, perform, and spread awareness about ocean conservation! It’s an honor to be apart of such incredible groups of women as well as a joy to own my own business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road that’s for sure! Between finding my path professionally, building my own business, and pushing past obstacles to an unknown future; it’s been hard. “Professional Mermaid” receives a wide range of responses from people and it’s always an interesting conversation to be had, especially when meeting new people. Some are ecstatic and fascinated and desperately want to learn more about this magical world that I get to live in and do as a career. Some give me a once over and I visibly see them reassess my character upon discovering that I’m a mermaid. I enjoy meeting people that believe in magic more than the latter.
It’s hard being a landlocked mermaid as well. I travel with the various companies I’m a part of to different states as well as out of the country, but it’s difficult to do that all the time. Finding work when you don’t live next to an ocean poses creative issues as a mermaid and requires me to find my niche in the market.
In summary, I would say the biggest struggles are finding jobs as a mermaid and earning respect from other people. Being in the entertainment business is difficult enough as is, but when you add in breath holds, extensive training and certifications, and tying your legs together while doing it all with a smile (and doing it gracefully), it becomes a physical and mental challenge.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I started this mermaid journey for a couple of different reasons. I’ve been PADI open water certified since I was little and grew up loving mermaids and being in the water constantly. This led to a fascination with aquatic life and the ability to see the magic and gift that nature truly is to our world. I went to school and earned my degree in zoology, the study of animals. I also got a minor in entrepreneurship. At the time I had no idea I would own my own mermaid business and co-own another! Through mermaiding, I am able to share my knowledge of aquatic life and educate and inspire people to protect our oceans and the creatures residing therein. That’s something that is very important to me and I get to share this with children and adults alike through the magic of being a mermaid.
I’m most known for my aquarium performances and my championing of education and conservation. I’m most proud of my positive attitude and my unwillingness to stop pushing toward my goals. I believe that if you believe in yourself and your aspirations you can make them come true, just be patient with yourself and believe that you’ll get there. Good things take time and great things take a lot of work!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I’ve learned that people want to believe that the world is good and/or that good things are still happening in the world. It’s so much more impactful to meet a mermaid in person than it is to see it online or at a distant event the you could never see yourself going to.
Kids want to talk to a mermaid. Kids want to ask questions and be curious about the world. Mermaiding is a great way to bring creativity and imagination into the world and is a great way to brighten a kid’s day. Covid made me realize that we can’t give that up as a society. Kids need to learn and be creative and have questions. It’s so difficult to get that experience behind a screen.
Pricing:
- Standard Party Package – $215
- Cropped T’s – $30
- Regular T-Shirt – $30
- Long-Sleeved Crop – $35
- Stickers – $6.50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ironshoremermaid.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironshoremermaid/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IronShoreMermaid/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ironshoremermaid
Image Credits
Tanner Pickens Antonio Busiello MOcean-Art by Monique Tarée Elizabeth Briar Rose Photography
