DRIVEN TO SUCCEED

Michelle Bries Nichols jokes that despite being named after a British car (her maiden name is Michelle Gabrielle Bries, aka MGB), she had no idea how much of a niche her family’s business was until she was well into her teens. But needless to say, when your father owns Northshore Sportscars—a luxury purveyor offering a handpicked selection of British and European sports cars since 1989—the experiences you have growing up are one of a kind. “I learned how to drive stick shift on a 1973 MGB GT when I was 14,” says Nichols, who took over the family business and now serves as president of Northshore Sportscars, carrying forward the traditions her father Norbert “Norb” Bries started 35 years ago. “When my dad was entertaining the idea of selling the business, I knew that if I didn’t ‘give it a go’ it would be the biggest regret of my life. I officially took the wheel in 2022.” She was fortunate to begin learning the business from a very young age. “I worked for my dad most summers and gained a solid foundation of customer service, bookkeeping, and car chat,” Nichols says, explaining that in addition to the business, her father also raced vintage cars— a #47 Lotus Europa and #80 Morgan Prototype to be precise—at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. “Many of my summer memories are of watching cars dive-bomb into Corner 5 or reach top speed racing into Turn 1.” Today, she and husband Dillon are raising the next generation of car enthusiasts with their sons Bennett and Owen. “Northshore Sportscars is a major part of my life and fortunately my husband is an outstanding partner,” says Nichols, who also serves as a director on the Lake Forest/ Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce. “We try to bring our two boys to as many car events as possible so they better understand Mommy’s job and this amazing industry. My parents did an excellent job of sharing the car culture with me and I’m trying to do the same with my boys.” She loves working with diehard “car people” and takes great satisfaction in helping customers find the collector car of their dreams. Look for Nichols (and likely many members of her extended family) on October 6 when the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber hosts its fifth annual “Then & Now” auto show in West Lake Forest. Nichols took time from her busy schedule to share a few of her favorite things.

What is your favorite sports car brand? Morgan. We are an Authorized Morgan Dealer, selected as one of ten in the U.S. for sales and service. They are still hand built in Malvern, England today. Favorite place for a scenic drive? Sheridan Road. Favorite driving music? The Rolling Stones. Beauty brand you can’t live without? Tarte, under eye concealer. Favorite North Shore restaurant and why? Can’t pick just one! Maevery Public House for brunch because the food is consistently great and the staff hustles, Miramar for mouthwatering escargot and The English Room at The Deer Path Inn when you want to treat yourself. Favorite adult beverage? For summer, a margarita. Dream vacation? Northern Italy First car? Jeep Cherokee, two-door. Song that you always dance to? My 4-year-old son and I like to dance to “Shake Your Groove Thing.” TV show you can’t stop binging? Almost finished with The Bear, because Chicago. Favorite place you’ve ever visited? Santa Teresa Gallura on the northern tip of Sardinia, on the Strait of Bonifacio, in the province of Sassari, Italy. Favorite book or movie? I listen to audio books almost non-stop, my recent go-to author is Kristin Hannah; her specialty is historical fiction. What’s on your bucket list for 2024? Cliche but keep “Enjoying the Drive!”