We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Arguello recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
As the founder of Keep FL Clean, my hope is to leave behind a legacy centered in environmental stewardship, community empowerment, and a passion for positive change. When people reflect on my life’s work, I hope they will say that I was passionate about protecting Florida’s natural habitats and dedicated to spreading sustainability in our communities. I want to be remembered as a catalyst for positive change, someone who inspired and empowered others to take action, embodying our organization’s motto “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
When Keep FL Clean began in 2019, initially as a group of friends with the common goal to help preserve our community’s natural environments. After several successful events, the idea sparked of expanding our fun, community project into a full scale 501c3 nonprofit organization. Throughout the years, Keep FL Clean has increased it’s impact by hosting an array of sustainable, community events including cleanups, clothing exchanges, educational workshops, community vendor markets, specialty 21+ cleanup events (with free beer), advocacy projects and more! Keep FL Clean has helped thousands of locals of all ages come together and become involved in taking care of their community.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Keep FL Clean has come a long way since it’s humble beginnings, and it wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for our consistency and collaborations! Consistently delivering on our commitments to our mission created a reliable presence, and fostered trust within the community. This steadfast approach has not only solidified our organization’s reputation, but also generated a growing wave of support and participation. Our community collaborations broadened our reach and explore endless possibilities, allowing us to tap into diverse resources, ideas, and support networks. Through our journey, we’ve learned that sustainability isn’t just about preserving the environment; it’s also about sustaining relationships and partnerships that amplify our impact. As we reflect on our journey, we are immensely grateful for the community that has stood by us, the collaborators who have shared their expertise, and the volunteers who have dedicated their time. Keep FL Clean is not just an organization; it’s a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision of a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Our first official cleanup event had only two people in attendance. Still motivated, the Keep FL Clean team and the two volunteers collected over 16 bags of trash from the beach and parking lot areas. That day, our team concluded that no matter how many people attended our event, our efforts made an incredible impact for our local ecosystems and environment as a whole. It affirmed our belief that even the smallest actions contribute significantly to our broader goal of Keeping Florida Clean.
Contact Info:
- Website: keepflclean.com
- Instagram: KeepFloridaClean
Image Credits
All images are of me, Nicole Arguello, the Keep FL Clean team and our volunteers