I'm Michelle, the founder of Naptime Faith & Life Gift Shop and Faith & Life Christian Brands in White Bear Lake, MN.

What started as a hobby in 2015, turned into what you know know as Naptime Faith & Life Gift Shop! I started making jewelry in 2015 during my kid’s nap time. It was a quiet hobby, I could enjoy while my kids were sleeping. I called the business "My Naptime Jewelry" and I was most well known for my Aromatherapy Jewelry, using volcanic lava stones to diffuse essential oils. I did many art fairs and online sales and etsy for a couple of years until, eventually, the business outgrew my home, and I needed to find a separate space to ship orders and store supplies.

I couldn’t find an office or studio I loved, but I did find a retail location in downtown White Bear Lake. I wasn’t looking for a retail location (I’ve never even wanted one or worked retail my entire life), but the space was so beautiful. I couldn’t pass it up, and I knew I would kick myself if I didn’t take the opportunity. I decided to go for it and open up Naptime Aromatherapy in 2018. We did well! I carried home goods, boutique items, clothing, handbags, shoes, and that sort of thing along with my diffuser jewelry, and I created a bath and body line that we made in-house.

Then, COVID-19 and the riots happened. I saw that people were hurting and looking for hope and encouragement. I knew that the only hope, true hope, can only be found in Jesus Christ through His Word. But I was afraid to carry Bibles and Christian products for fear of offending and losing our non-Christian customers. After about 6 months of going back and forth on whether I wanted to have Bibles in my shop, my mom told me that changed the course of my business. She said, and I quote,

“Michelle, everything in your store will turn to dust one day, but the Word of the Lord stands forever.”

My eyes were opened, and I knew God had put me right where He wanted me for a specific reason. I rebranded to Naptime Faith & Life Gift Shop in 2021 and switched over everything.

We started making Christian T-shirts, mugs, bookmarks, and other encouraging items and products in store. I brought in devotionals and Bible verse art and decor. And while I did lose a lot of customers, the Lord provided new customers tenfold.

Now, I’m here to provide thoughtful and encouraging gifts that bring hope and joy to the lost and the hurting. We help customers find gifts for their loved ones who are sick or in the hospital. We help new Christians find recourses to grow in their faith. We help customers find thoughtful tokens of appreciation for those who support them through tough times. We help parents and grandparents find gifts for their children and grandchildren that will help bring them up with firm faith in the Lord.

Many of our customers have become friends and even as close as family. We pray with them when needed and are there for them when they need a shoulder to cry on.

Many people don’t know that we exist or that our shop is even here, but I trust that He will use our shop. He’ll use my shop for his good for as long as he sees fit, and I trust his plan. I know he has a purpose. While the Christian Gift industry isn’t very profitable, I count it all joy that we can help the community and provide hope and Christian resources to those seeking it.