Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Redziniak.
Hi Elise, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Citrus County, Florida, and come from a proud military family. My grandfather served in WWII, both of my parents served in the Army, and my brother served in the United States Air Force (USAF) for 24 years. Continuing that legacy, I joined the USAF at 20 years old and have now served for over 20 years as a medic, First Sergeant, and Group Senior Enlisted Leader. I met my husband in the military and he also served in the USAF for over 21 years. Throughout my career, I earned my Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and obtained four national registries in radiology and ultrasound imaging.
Two years ago, I received permanent change of station orders to Charleston, SC. I immediately fell in love with the beauty and history of the Lowcountry, the harbor, the marshes, the coastal charm, and the incredible landmarks that make Charleston so magical. At the same time, I’ve loved mermaids since I was a little girl and was completely inspired by The Little Mermaid. I practically watched it and sang along to it every day growing up. I also always loved swimming. Back then we didn’t have mermaid tails, so I would pretend to be a mermaid by putting a plastic ring around my legs to hold them together while swimming.
Fast forward three decades later, those two worlds truly collided when I swam in my first mermaid tail in the Florida springs. During that swim, I met a little girl who was completely mesmerized watching what she believed was a real-life mermaid. She jumped right in and swam alongside me, laughing, squealing with excitement, and completely immersed in the magic of the moment. Seeing that joy firsthand sparked something in me creatively.
That experience, combined with Charleston’s inspiring coastal setting, led me to imagine an entire hidden underwater world existing right beneath Charleston Harbor. From that vision, I created Mermaid Elise & the Lunar Pearl, an early reader chapter book centered around Mermaid Elise and her sea creature community in Seagrass Coral Cove. In this world, the mermaids and sea creatures don’t just live in the harbor, they serve in the “Sea Force,” protecting the ocean and helping keep nature in balance so marine life can thrive. Many of the lovable animals and locations featured throughout the story are inspired by real wildlife and landmarks found throughout the Lowcountry waters.
What makes this project especially meaningful to me is that I created an immersive experience around the story. I portray Mermaid Elise in real life, allowing children and families not only to read about her adventures, but also to meet her, swim with her, and step directly into the magical world of Seagrass Coral Cove.
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?
No, it definitely has not been a completely smooth road, but that’s part of what makes the journey meaningful. Becoming a self-published author felt overwhelming in the beginning because I had this huge vision in my mind, but absolutely no idea where to start. There were definitely moments of self-doubt where I questioned whether I could actually climb what felt like a mountain in front of me.
Thankfully, I connected with a local self-publishing company that truly fit what I was looking for. I came into the process extremely novice, and they were incredible in guiding me through every stage of the journey. Along the way, there were plenty of educational moments, unexpected challenges, and lessons learned, from understanding publishing logistics to navigating marketing, launches, and building a brand around the book, all while ensuring I stayed authentic to the vision and heart of what I wanted my brand to represent.
Of course, obstacles came up throughout the process and I’ve been fortunate to have an amazing team surrounding and supporting me. I try to view every challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and better prepare myself for future books and projects. It’s also given me a deeper appreciation for the self-publishing world, and I hope I can eventually help encourage and guide others who dream of launching their first book too.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As the owner of Enchanted Tails and Tales with Mermaid Elise, I specialize in immersive mermaid entertainment, storytelling experiences, and children’s events throughout the Charleston Lowcountry. I’m also the author of Mermaid Elise & the Lunar Pearl, an early reader chapter book inspired by Charleston Harbor, marine life, and the magical world of Seagrass Coral Cove.
What makes my work unique is that families don’t just read about Mermaid Elise, they actually get to meet her in real life. I create an immersive world where storytelling and live character experiences come together through interactive adventures for children and families such as water activities, birthday parties, festivals, resort events, themed games, and more.
I absolutely love making people happy and creating moments of pure joy through our interactions, whether it’s swimming alongside a child for the first time or simply encouraging families to use their imagination and escape into an underwater world filled with wonder, kindness, and adventure. It truly fills my heart and gives me a different sense of purpose to bring the magic of mermaids to the Lowcountry and create meaningful memories that families will cherish for years to come. You are never too old to enjoy mermaids!
I’m most proud of creating something that sparks imagination while also encouraging kindness, teamwork, ocean appreciation, and confidence in children. I’ve worked hard to ensure the brand feels authentic, polished, and meaningful, while still holding onto the wonder and magic that inspired it in the first place. I’m incredibly passionate about the world I’ve created and truly love every second of the joy it brings to children and families. Seeing people light up, use their imagination, and fully immerse themselves in the magic of Mermaid Elise and Seagrass Coral Cove is what gives me so much fulfillment and purpose.
I think what truly sets me apart is the combination of worlds I bring together. As a U.S. Air Force veteran with over two decades of service, I pair professionalism, leadership, and heart with creativity, storytelling, and character performance. I also bring my background as a National Certified Pilates instructor into the mermaiding world, especially when teaching at mermaid conventions and events. Mermaiding is incredibly physically demanding on the body, requiring strength, flexibility, breath control, and graceful movement in the water. Pilates has been such an important foundation for me because it helps with stretching, mobility, posture, fluidity, and hopefully preventing injuries or pain. I obtained my PADI Advanced Mermaid certification, learning a deeper understanding of safety protocols, skill refinement, unique mermaid techniques, and rescue/problem management skills. Lastly, I’m a certified PADI scuba diver, where my love for the ocean has inspired me to create experiences that feel both magical and grounded in real-world expertise.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Attending mermaid events and meeting other mermaids in person has truly been such a special part of my journey. The mermaid community has been incredibly supportive, and I’ve learned so much from those who share what has worked well for them and even the lessons they’ve learned along the way. The opportunity to connect, ask questions, and genuinely support others is one of the best ways to build meaningful relationships and mentorship opportunities.
One of the biggest benefits of social media has been the ability to connect with mermaids from all over the world. It’s incredibly inspiring to see the artistry, creativity, and passion that each person brings to the community. I absolutely love being able to admire and support their work, even from afar, and I think surrounding yourself with passionate and uplifting people can make such a positive impact on your own growth and confidence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mermaidelise.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetmermaidelise/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Mermaid-Elise-61578440682717/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-redziniak-2799841bb/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@meetmermaidelise
Image Credits
Select images were photographed by Laura Lewis, founder of Fins and Fairies Fantasy Photography, based in Savannah, Georgia.
