Norris Beauty Salon Owner Retires After 42 Years In Business
Originally from Marion, Louisiana, Mildred Hunt came to Grand Rapids to live with her aunt in 1961. Mildred had attended Grambling State University for two years. She became interested in becoming a licensed hair stylist like her aunt.
"She would do hair in the kitchen and sometimes I would help her out Friday and Saturday" Mildred studied cosmetology at Bea's Beauty School, the first black - owned beauty school in the city.
The Norris story also began in 1961. "While attending beauty school, I met my dream boat, Ike Norris," she said.
Jean Spearman introduced Ike and Mildred to each other at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.
Ike had come to Grand Rapids from Gulfport, Mississippi.
"We had a really short courtship and we have been married for fifty - seven years."
In the meantime, after completing beauty school, she began working at the House of Style in 1968, which at that time was located on Franklin and Division.
It was originally not her goal to become an entrepreneur, but she soon became the owner of her own salon.
Mildred opened her own shop on Eastern, near Hall Street in 1976.
"A lady that I was working for had gotten old and decided to sell the building," said Mildred. "A realtor, Ulysses Champion, introduced me to getting my own place. I never really dreamed of having my own salon, but it was a good opportunity."
Throughout the years, Norris Beauty Salon became an icon in the Black community and led to Mildred Norris receiving a Giants Award in 2014.
She noted that her inspiration came from doing something in a positive way to help people look their very best. She is a firm believer in treating people the way they would like to be treated, which had a lot to do with the success of her business. One of her biggest challenges was remaining as a service to the community and showing others that they can be successful as well.
Mrs. Norris says, "When you're doing a good job and enjoying it, you don't get tired of your work."
As she announces her retirement, she notes, "I have had a lot of fun doing hair, and I truly enjoyed it. I always carried the slogan, 'Go back to looking good' because I always did my best to make my clients look their very best. I have had a good time and I have always enjoyed my work. I have also gained a lot of friendships over the years."
She added, "My real name is Mildred but I was known and am still known to a lot of people as Mickey."
Mrs. Norris would like to be remembered by the community for being able to offer her services in the Black community for so many years.
"I am going to enjoy my retirement, enjoying things that I like to do and spend a lot of time with my family, especially with my grand kids and my great grand kids," said Norris.
Mr. and Mrs. Norris have two children, Isaac (Van) Norris and Mona (Rena) Norris Ross; five grand children: Marissa, Mariah, Ivria, Lianna and Isaac II; and three great grand children: Markey, Iyanna, and Ciara.
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