Welcome

Hello!

My name is Nancy Ottino. I am an Ambassador of Fine Living and founder of The Socialites Club.

INSPIRED BY AN ACT OF KINDNESS

Before Fort Collins ever knew me, Bill and I packed up our San Francisco lives and set off for the little jewel box of a town called Essex, Connecticut. Picture it: a postcard-perfect New England village, where everyone seemed to already know everyone, and there I was—an Italian girl who had always been surrounded by family, suddenly standing in the corner of a women’s gathering with no one to talk to. For the first time in my life, I felt like the odd chair at the table.

And then—like an angel in pearls—Pat Thompson swooped in. She looked me squarely in the eye, smiled, and said, “You’re new here!” With that, she tucked me under her wing and paraded me through the room like I was already one of the girls. That single, gracious act of kindness didn’t just save me that night—it set the course of my life. It taught me that friendship can begin with a single bold gesture, and it inspired my lifelong mission: to make sure no woman ever stands in a corner feeling alone.

That’s what The Socialites Club is about. Joy, laughter, friendship, a cocktail (or two), and the marvelous alchemy that happens when women come together. Darling, I can’t wait to welcome you in and have you feel—truly—that this is your circle.

MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Now, if you’re wondering how I ended up here, let me give you the highlights reel.

The Training
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics from the University of San Francisco and a degree in Interior Design from San Francisco’s Fashion Institute. I’m also a proud member of ASID.

The Act One Years
I cut my teeth in the glittering world of Silicon Valley as Marketing Manager for Intel. Then, in my thirties, I turned my passion for design into a profession, overseeing the build-out of 42 high-end retail furniture stores across California for Breuners Furniture.

The Encore
In my forties, I founded The Idea Group in Connecticut—a PR and Marketing firm that became my stage for 15 successful years, working with clients from New York to San Francisco. I published a bestselling design book, styled for House Beautiful, Traditional Home, and Country Living, and danced across TV screens on HGTV. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I picked up a national award for one of the most innovative marketing programs in the country.

The Current Chapter
Today, I’ve traded the bright lights of the coasts for the warm glow of Northern Colorado. My passion? Elevating small businesses and creating dazzling spaces for women to gather, laugh, and live beautifully. With The Socialites Club, I get to blend it all—business savvy, design flair, and a touch of showmanship—into a community where every woman feels seen, celebrated, and at home.