Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Killian.
Hi Nicole , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I founded SUP Englewood in February 2012, I had just graduated college and moved back home to Englewood, Florida. At the time, job opportunities were scarce, and stand-up paddleboarding was just starting to gain momentum. The funny thing was everyone I met wanted to know where I got my board, how to get started, or where to rent one. There were kayak outfitters around, but no dedicated paddleboard company in town.
Before I even had a business name, I found myself giving free paddleboard lessons on the beach just to share what I loved. That’s when it clicked, there was a real need here. I started with six paddleboards, a lot of determination, and a drive to figure everything out from the ground up.
I built my first website myself, learned marketing through trial and error, and focused on creating experiences that felt safe, personal, and connected to nature. Over time, the business grew from a one-woman operation to a full team. Today, SUP Englewood is the largest paddle company in Charlotte County. We’re the area’s PaddleFit affiliate, and every one of our guides is a certified Florida Master Naturalist. I’m an advanced Florida Master Naturalist myself and host monthly Coffee & Conservation events to bring environmental education to the community, not just on the water, but off it too.
We’re proud to be partnered with Don Pedro Island State Park, operating from our year-round paddle shop that’s open 365 days a year. What started as a handful of boards on the beach has become a community hub for paddlers, conservationists, and anyone looking to reconnect with Florida’s natural beauty.
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?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road. It’s been more like a winding one through headwinds, hurricanes, and red tides. The business itself has always been strong; it’s been a foundation in my life through some really challenging times. But running a paddle sports company in coastal Florida means you’re at the mercy of nature more than most industries.
The biggest challenges have been the hurricanes and the seasonal rhythm of the business. When the storms hit, they don’t just take out infrastructure, they upend everything from water quality to visitor confidence. After the cyanobacteria and severe red tide events in 2018, for example, the entire local ecosystem suffered. But those experiences also shaped our mission in a bigger way.
They pushed me to focus even more on conservation and education and on teaching people why clean, safe water matters and how small actions, like planting native vegetation or respecting wildlife boundaries, actually add up to real change.
The recovery from recent hurricanes has been some of the hardest work I’ve ever done, personally and professionally. But rebuilding has also reaffirmed why I started SUP Englewood in the first place, to connect people to nature and to show that even after devastation, there’s beauty, strength, and community waiting to rise again.
We’ve been impressed with SUP Englewood, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
SUP Englewood is a coastal paddle sports company based out of Don Pedro Island State Park in southwest Florida. We specialize in guided kayak and paddleboard tours, rentals, and lessons. We also offer private boat tours, and inshore fishing experiences. But what really defines us is the way we blend recreation with environmental education. Every experience we offer is grounded in respect for the environment and connection to the local ecosystem.
We’re known for our small-group tours that prioritize safety, interpretation, and authentic local knowledge. All of our guides are certified Florida Master Naturalists, and I’m an advanced Florida Master Naturalist myself. We use that foundation to educate guests about our wildlife. From manatees and dolphins to mangroves and shorebirds and to help them understand how fragile and interconnected these coastal systems really are.
What sets us apart is our professionalism and depth of expertise. We’re the only paddle company in Charlotte County with a rescue boat, an exclusive partnership with the state park, and a 365-day operation that meets state-level training and insurance standards. We also run monthly community education events called Coffee & Conservation, where we bring experts and nonprofits together to talk about Florida’s wildlife, water quality, and conservation challenges.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that SUP Englewood has become more than a business, it’s a platform for stewardship and connection. Our brand stands for safety, integrity, and environmental awareness. Whether someone joins us for a paddle, attends an event, or just follows our updates online. My goal is that guests leave with a deeper appreciation for the real Florida and the understanding that we all have a role in protecting it.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is simple: never give up. Running a small business, especially one that depends on the weather, tourism, and the natural environment, means you’re constantly adapting. Hurricanes, red tide, economic shifts… it can feel like starting over again and again. But every setback has taught me resilience and resourcefulness.
I’ve learned that perseverance isn’t about pushing through blindly. It’s about staying grounded in your purpose, being willing to pivot, and finding new ways forward when the old ones collapse. There were moments when it would’ve been easier to quit, but holding on to the mission, connecting people to nature and protecting the places we love has always kept me going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://supenglewood.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supenglewood/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SUPEnglewood/
- Twitter: https://x.com/supenglewood
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sup-englewood-placida-3
