Behind the Business: Nora Swift

Nora Swift worked for years in salons owned by other people.

For the past year, she’s run her own. 

This week, she is celebrating the one-year anniversary of .

Swift leases the Detroit Avenue space, but has spent thousands of dollars on the renovation.

It shows. 

Think antique furniture, crystal chandeliers, unique workstations and an eclectic collection of decorations — much of which was purchased at antique stores in the city or are heirlooms donated by family members.

There’s also plenty of space for all of it — which makes sense given the services the salon offers: cutting, coloring, extensions, straightening, styling, skin care, waxing, facials and nail care.

Get all that?

The life-long Lakewood resident and mother of four (with another on the way) said she never considered taking her business out of the city. It wasn’t even an option. 

 “I am a true Lakewoodite,” she said. “I am raising my family here. There’s definitely something about Lakewood — I love the community feel. This is definitely home to me.”

The salon — smack dab in the middle of the upcoming  event — is partnering up with to collect and donate coats for Lakewood children.

“We want to make somebody’s holiday better,” Swift said. “This is for the families in Lakewood that need help. We want to continue to make a difference.”

The salon will be open during the Dec. 3 event.

We thought we take a few minutes to get to know Swift — to know what makes her tick. Our take on the Proust Questionnaire, crafted by French writer Marcel Proust, seems like a perfect fit.

What’s your favorite place to relax in Lakewood? At home.

Favorite place to eat? I have a few favorites: I love for the wings, breakfast at ; and I love ; but probably my favorite place is , which is where Mwale proposed to me.

Your chief characteristic: Loyalty.

Your main fault: I think that everybody has the same values that I have.

Your idea of happiness: Happiness to me is being healthy: Mind, body and soul.

Your idea of misery: Not living life to your fullest, not being able to live life to my fullest would be miserable.

Where would you like to live: I don’t have another place I want to live, maybe I would try to live in Zambia.

Favorite artist: Hair artist Amata Woodward.

Favorite heroes in real life: My mother.

Favorite food, favorite drink: Pizza, Pellegrino and cranberry juice.

What I hate the most: You can’t always make everybody happy all of the time.

The natural talent I’d like to be gifted with: Carpentry.

What is your present state of mind: Comfortable and happy.

Your favorite motto: Live, love and laugh.

contributed to this report.