Nikola Webster shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Nikola, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I picked this question because it stood out to me. Values and behavior are so important to me. Now, choosing one is difficult because all three of these, along with kindness and humor, are critical for me.
Choosing one is energy, and I chose this one because I can typically get a feel for all the rest from energy. I also find that when someone’s energy is off – say, for example, negative- it drains me. When their energy is oozing good vibes, I am instantly attracted to the person’s whole.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I run the travel site www.britonthemove.com, which focuses on travel hacks and unusual experiences. The single most important differentiator is that I can’t be bought or “trolled” into changing my mind or speaking someone’s truth. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. Still, I will die on the cross over “my “opinion. It’s challenging because when you are authentic and won’t be bullied online, it attracts drama.
An example is when I write a lot about Florida, my home state. I often get a lot of backlash from so-called “natives” who claim I am monetizing “their” local spots, which they believe are just for them. It’s often a debate, but I’ve come to learn that it does not matter what you are writing about or sharing on Social Media – there are always a few people who love to argue. People do not realize that when they visit a business’s Social Media page, the owner can moderate and censor all content. I don’t, however, I also will not let people come on my page to be abusive and leave without getting checked.
The entire business took a downturn when Google started using AI, and I’ve had to reinvent how I attract traffic. I’ve switched a lot of my energy to Social Media. Using existing content vs. writing new. This has been an interesting change because I’m having to be even more creative and present content in a different way – visually. I’ve also begun using more videos because they perform better. I have also adapted my strategy to focus on the Social Media that performs best for me, rather than all of them. Doing all is really difficult and consumes hours. I focus on Facebook and Instagram now vs. Pinterest, X, YouTube, etc.
I’ve also started to share more of my personal life online. For example, where I am, what I am doing. I noticed that, regardless of niche, almost everyone who runs a website or owns a brand has. I think the whole online world has changed. Now, you have to be willing to share yourself and your content.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Aside from my mother, it’s a dear friend of mine called Linda Moore. At one point in our journey, she was my manager. Twenty plus years later, we are still great friends and went to Antarctica together this year.
Linda was a mentor to me – she still is. She saw my potential. She encouraged me to dream bigger. She also helped me work through the challenges I faced in corporate America so I could be more successful. Linda was able to set aside my rawness, reach me where I was, and help shape my approach.
To this day, Linda always says If anyone can, I can. I often smile because she saw in me a fire that I knew was there but had not really unleashed itself. The younger me didn’t have a successful role model to follow or to guide me. Linda has been that constant in my life.
I’ll also add that aside from business coaching, Linda’s taught me a lot about life. To this day, I’ll never forget the conversation about how important it is to treat everyone, even the janitor, as you would want to be treated, because kindness is free.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
No – never! It’s not in my DNA to give up. I would rather die than fail.
For me, this is my “secret sauce” and I’ll never waiver.
Don’t get me wrong, the journey has not been without ups and downs. There are times when I think “is it worth it”, but figuring out how to overcome the challenges is what motivates me.
If I fail, it’s temporary. As soon as I get my head back in the game, that failure will become nothing more than a lesson.
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. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
This one’s so easy to answer!
They would say that people really matter to me. I care about how people feel, that people’s needs are being met, and that people live their best lives. I want everyone to have the best possible experience and ultimately be happy.
I’m a ride-or-die, lifetime-loyal friend. The type of friend who will have your back, no questions asked.
They will also tell you that I am restless. The question is often not “how is Nikki” – it’s “where is Nikki”.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Life is shorter than we conceptualize.
We’ve all heard the phrases, yet it’s become a tad cliché. People can talk about how short a time we have here, but few actually get it.
For example, people are still consumed with acquiring stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I love “stuff” too. But, stuff is stuff. Living in the moment and experiencing what’s out there is way more important.
People often say I don’t have the time or money to explore or travel. I say, make the time, make it a priority – set boundaries with work. Prioritize how you spend – do you really need a new car, or is leasing a vehicle a sound financial decision? Or do you really need a 2,000-square-foot home?
I don’t just travel, I seek experiences. There is an abundance of local activities in every city and town. Some random examples of new things I did this year that cost very little: Axe throwing, two new wineries, visited ten plus springs (eight of which were free), and stargazing with professionals at a free event.
Lastly, I make an effort to stay connected with all of my friends. We might live all over, but it’s as simple as this: Do you have plans for the XY date? If no plans – count me in!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.britonthemove.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britotmove/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-webster-8b2b04b/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BRITOTMOVE
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@britonthemove8323
Image Credits
None
