Nicole Sauk shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Nicole, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to create in a way that feels really true to me. For a long time, I felt like everything I made had to be super strategic or based on what I thought people wanted to see. But lately I’ve realized that creating is part of who we are as humans. We’re meant to make things, to share stories, to connect.
I still do research and look at trends when I’m planning content for explore-ftl, but I also listen to myself more. I pay attention to what I feel excited to create and what ideas keep coming back to me. It has made the whole process so much more fulfilling. Now I see content as a way to express what lights me up and trust that the right people will feel that energy too.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Nicole. I’m a local small business owner running a web design and content creation studio, and I’m also the creator of explore-ftl. I started explore-ftl because I grew up in South Florida and have lived here for over 30 years. I truly love my home. The diversity, the food, the culture, the people, the history, the environment. It all inspires me and makes me want to celebrate it in every way I can.
What started as a fun side project has turned into something much bigger. Now I’m building a local directory, growing a newsletter, and creating content that helps both locals and visitors fall in love with Fort Lauderdale in their own way.
I think what makes explore-ftl special is that it’s created with genuine love for the community. I get so excited when I can feature small businesses, discover a new favorite spot, or hear from someone who tried something because they saw it on the website or my TikTok. It’s about connection and community, and I’m really proud of the way it’s growing.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to believe that work had to be hard. That if something came easily or felt fun, it didn’t count. I thought success only came through struggle or sacrifice. But now I know that’s not true. Some of the most rewarding things I’ve created have come from ease, flow, and doing what lights me up. Of course there are challenges, but I no longer think I have to grind myself down to prove anything. Joyful work is still real work, and it often leads to the best results.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Actually, yes. Just a couple months ago. This year started off really slow for my web design business, and it felt like people were afraid to invest in their small businesses. I was stressed and questioning everything. I almost gave up.
Then I saw something on TikTok that said if you post content every day for a year, you’ll never have to worry about money again. I sent it to my friend and she said, we can do that, let’s give it a shot. So we made a pact to post daily and see what happens.
It has only been two months, but everything is already different. I landed a new web design client really quickly and so many other opportunities have started opening up. That moment of almost giving up turned into something that gave me momentum and hope again.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I really aim to be as authentic as possible. Of course I’m not saying the exact same things on social media that I would say to my closest friends, but I try to show up with honesty and intention. I consciously ask myself, is this really me? Does this reflect what I care about and how I see the world? I think people can feel when something is genuine, and that’s really important to me.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I know it sounds a little cliché, but I’d want to use that kind of time to make the world a better place, especially starting with my own community. We’re facing serious issues with housing costs, homelessness, and the environment, and if I had forever, I’d want to help create real, lasting solutions. I’d want to make sure this place I call home, and the people in it, are being taken care of.
But I’d also want to enjoy it. I’d spend time with my friends, go on adventures, eat amazing food, and keep growing my business in ways that light me up. Immortality would mean an incredible amount of freedom, and that’s exciting to imagine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://explore-ftl.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exploreftl
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exploreftl
