We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nile Fortner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nile below.

Nile, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I’ve always been obsessed with stories. Whether it’s the latest local news, a blockbuster movie, a binge-worthy TV series, or a captivating book, I’ve always been drawn to the way stories are told and how they connect with audiences. From the structure of a great narrative to its impact on marketing and branding, storytelling has always been my passion.

That passion started early—writing for my high school blog was my first step into journalism. I wanted to take my love for stories and turn it into something bigger, something that could make an impact on my community. That’s when I realized: journalism was my calling. I pursued it at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where I not only studied the craft but also gained real-world experience writing for major publications like the Sun-Sentinel, New Pelican Newspaper, Fort Lauderdale Magazine, Miami New Times, My South Florida Today, and many more.

I covered everything—from artists and entrepreneurs to restaurants and events—bringing the best of South Florida to readers. But as the media landscape evolved, I noticed something: people wanted more. They didn’t just want written articles—they wanted videos, podcasts, interactive content, and new ways to engage with the stories that matter.

So, I expanded my approach. I embraced multimedia storytelling, incorporating video, podcasting, and social media into my work. And then, I took the biggest leap—rather than just creating content for other platforms, I built my own.

Nile, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Wanting to take my journalism career to the next level, I decided to build my own platform, Las Olas Insider —a fresh, dynamic media brand that spotlights Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas scene and beyond. Through articles, videos, news, and engaging social media content, we bring South Florida’s vibrant culture to life in a whole new way.

This isn’t just journalism. This is storytelling for the digital age. As a Fort Lauderdale native, I’ve always loved the Las Olas scene. I’ve met so many amazing people here—visionary entrepreneurs, passionate artists, and dedicated locals who make this area special. Therefore, I want to use Las Olas Insider to showcase these people, bring our community a little closer together, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Thanks to my journalistic credibility, years of experience, and deep-rooted connections in South Florida, Las Olas Insider is gaining momentum—not just as a social media page but as a trusted local source. The growth of @LasOlasInsider and our website isn’t just because of Instagram; it’s because I try to go beyond social media. I network heavily, stay involved in the community, and prioritize authenticity.

I’ve also been lucky to receive valuable marketing advice from Daniela Thoelke and Barion McQueen, who have shared key insights on how to grow a brand the right way. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that authenticity and patience are everything. Building something meaningful takes time, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Over time, I built a strong reputation and credibility as a journalist, and because of that, I’ve gained an engaged audience who trust my work. People have followed my coverage in Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale Magazine, and other local news outlets, and now, they’re excited about this new venture—because they know the quality and dedication I bring to every story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lasolasinsider.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lasolasinsider/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Las-Olas-Insider/61566509833445/?rdid=AL62InbLt8tQRrew&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F2dL9CbmpBUe7puFa%2F
• Twitter: https://x.com/LasOlasInsider

Image Credits

Las Olas Insider Pre-Planning Logo Creation by ZW Illustration

Las Olas Insider Photos By Stephen Rafferty

Timbr Las Olas Photo with Emily Taffel

Timbr Las Olas Photos with Prahasi Kacham and Avesta Shaygannik