DRESSING THE SHORE

A 1994 graduate of Northwestern University, NICOLE CARRABINE put her bachelor’s degree in Social Policy to work in political fundraising before opening Twiss and Altounian Consulting— raising money and planning events for political candidates and nonprofit organizations. In 2002, she joined her family’s construction firm, Altounian Construction, as a project coordinator and property manager. While Carrabine loved working with her family for more than 20 years, she decided to pursue her dream of owning a women’s boutique, purchasing The Lake Forest Shop in 2023. Nicole is a sustaining member of the Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Women’s Board and the Lake Forest Garden Club.

Most rewarding part of what you do? Helping a woman find the perfect special event outfit or everyday pieces that she feels confident, authentic, and beautiful in is the most rewarding element of what I do. When a woman feels confident, it brings positive energy to her interactions and experiences

How should women support other women? Women should hire and mentor other women, encouraging friends and coworkers to believe in themselves and take risks. Most importantly, women should have each other’s backs and support each other professional and personally.

How do you inspire others? Ultimately, one never knows how he or she may inspire others, but I hope it would be my belief in showing kindness to everyone, and in finding time each day to do something you love.

Best piece of advice? Believe in yourself, challenge yourself, and be willing to take risks.

What did you dream of doing when you were younger? I dreamed of owning a women’s clothing store!

For more information, visit thelakeforestshop.com and follow @thelakeforestshop on Instagram.