Faced with a little fear and a mound of apprehension, Kim Correll wasn't really sure where life would lead when she lost her job a few years ago.

Tapping on the shoulder of a dormant dream, she took a huge “leap of faith” and after months of hard work, trial and error and the “grace of God,” she opened a bath and body gift shop in downtown Ringgold on Sept. 8.

“Losing that job turned out to be such a blessing,” Correll said. “I don't think I would've ever had the courage to just quit on my own and start a business. God has a way of pushing us out of our comfort zone, even when we can't see the big picture. God closed a door, but he opened a window. I feel so blessed.”

“Mizz Kim's Creations,” tucked in a convenient little nook on Maple Street, features a house full of uniquely scented lines of bath and body products, such as soaps, scrubs, body sprays and lotions. Correll, who used to be a makeup artist for Lancome, an esteemed, designer cosmetic division of the L'Oreal company, said a driving part of her inspiration was to make “pampering” affordable to anyone.

“My whole philosophy is that every woman should be able to have all those good things like shea butter and cocoa butter and jojoba oils to pamper themselves with,” she said, “but they shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg to get it. We might not have the fanciest of packaging, but it's what's inside that counts. I make my own labels, I use only the safest and highest quality ingredients and I've done my very best to make it completely affordable.”

Correll said as a way to honor some of her friends and family members for helping her along the way in life, she created and named special personalized lines of product after them. Drawing on their favorite scents and adding ingredients that reminded her of them, each is very unique. One pink and perky line called “Mabelicious” is devoted to her mother, Mabel Correll, a breast cancer survivor. Correll donates a portion of the proceeds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Welcomed by a tranquil sitting area in the front foyer, the atmosphere is feminine and inviting. Just as her family strongly supported her endeavors, Correll likewise reached out to local artists and vendors (including her sister, Valerie Gordon) and made a spot for them to display their handmade creations. A side room is completely devoted to a colorful array of local hand-sewn products and handmade jewelry.

Correll — often accompanied by her special helper “Elvis,” the family pet poodle — said she's grateful for the support of her husband, Ringgold High School band leader Robin Christian, as well as her family and friends. But above all her heart's desire is to give full credit to God.

“I am thankful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity and for the chance to offer a place for women that will hopefully lift their spirits and allow them to pamper themselves,” Correll said. “I have to give Him all the glory.”

Mizz Kim's Creations

29 Maple St.

Ringgold, Ga.

Open Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.