Course Lab: Lessons from Successful Online Course Creators

Discover how AquaMermaid transformed into a thriving mermaid swimming school through innovative online courses and unique business strategies. Marielle Chartier Henault shares her insights on the importance of staying flexible, niche marketing, and blending your passion with entrepreneurship.

Marielle Chartier Henault is the visionary founder of Aquamermaid, a global leader in mermaid and aquatic entertainment and an expert in mermaid tail costumes and underwater stunts for movies.

In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Marielle discuss:
  • Marielle's journey and inspiration for starting a mermaid swimming school
  • The transition from in-person classes to online courses due to geographical limitations and COVID-19
  • Details about the two types of online courses offered by AquaMermaid
  • Challenges and strategies for teaching a physical skill like mermaiding online
  • Feedback and community engagement in the online course settings
  • Promotion and marketing strategies for niche courses
  • The business model, focusing on booking mermaid performers and its integration with the training
  • Advice for other course creators, including conducting pilot versions and gathering feedback
  • The importance of finding and engaging with niche communities for client acquisition



“Then I decided maybe I make a digital course. That way I can reach more people, especially with a niche training like this.” — Marielle Chartier Henault


Guest Bio:

Marielle Chartier Henault
is the visionary founder of Aquamermaid, a global leader in mermaid and aquatic entertainment. Renowned as an expert in mermaid tail costumes and underwater stunts for movies, Marielle has trained thousands of mermaid enthusiasts and professionals around the world. Her company specializes in delivering magical mermaid performances for a variety of events, including kids’ parties, real estate showings, and pool parties.

Under Marielle’s leadership, Aquamermaid has set the highest industry standards, offering top-tier entertainment services and lessons. Her innovative training methods empower both aspiring and professional mermaids to master the art of underwater performance. Beyond her entrepreneurial achievements, Marielle champions water safety, body positivity, and creative self-expression through aquatic arts. Her expertise and influence continue to shape the future of mermaid entertainment on a global scale.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Ruzuku
Marielle’s website: AquaMermaid
Marielle’s Instagram account: @aquamermaidschool
Marielle’s TikTok account: @mermaid.marielle
AquaMermaid’s YouTube Channel: AquaMermaid

Credits:

Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe Crystal
Producer: Michi Lantz
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

To catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Music credits:

Track Title: Bossa BB
Artist Name: Marie
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist Name: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Track Title: Carousel Lights
Artist Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:
24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

Episode transcript: Expanding a Global Mermaid Brand Online (Marielle Chartier Henault).

Creators & Guests

Host
Abe Crystal
Host
Ari Iny
Guest
Marielle Chartier Henault
Editor
Marvin Del Rosario
Producer
Michi Lantz

What is Course Lab: Lessons from Successful Online Course Creators?

Want to create a hugely successful online course, one that has a major impact on the lives of your students? If you want to learn how to create online courses from the best, you turn to Mirasee; and if you want to host that course, you can’t go wrong using the powerful platform, Ruzuku.

Ruzuku co-founder Abe Crystal and Mirasee founder and CEO Danny Iny know what it takes to stand out and be successful in the online courses industry. And now they’re teaming up to share this intel with you in their new Course Lab podcast.

In every episode, Course Lab showcases an entrepreneur/course creator who is nailing it with their online course -- and not because they’re teaching people how to make more money. In fact, most of these creators occupy unusual or overlooked niches, like music, writing for video games, overcoming inherent bias, and finding your life purpose.

Turns out, the key to their success all comes down to their online course design. In this podcast, Danny and Abe reveal the most important design tactics that are making all the difference for these online course creators -- and how you can implement them in your own online course. So if you want to create a successful online course that changes the lives of your students, this is your big chance to learn how it’s done from the best in the industry!