Jul 27, 2011

Leap of FaithBy Christina GuenthnerArgus-Press.com

Perry — Mary Jo Allen Smith knows many people would call her crazy for starting up a small gift shop in downtown Perry at a time when hundreds of small businesses are failing.

She doesn’t blame them — Smith herself knows just how bad the economy is: She lost her job last January. But instead of feeling sorry for herself, Smith took action and did what she had always wanted to do.

“I know it looks ridiculous if you’re not coming at it from a faith-based standpoint,” she said. “It’s a risk. I don’t have a lot of money. But it’s all about faith.”

Located at 117 N. Main St., Serenity’s Song Gift Shoppe features a variety of religious and faith-inspired items.

Born and raised in the Owosso and Corunna area, Smith calls the path that brought her to Perry in 2008 “very God-inspired.”

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