Rising Stars: Meet Bethany of Athens

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany.

Hi Bethany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Born and raised in the small, spirited town of Bainbridge, Georgia, I grew up with rhythm in my feet and big dreams in my heart. Dancing was my first love — it taught me discipline, creativity, and the joy of expression. Little did I know, those same qualities would eventually guide me into the world of events and entrepreneurship.

For the past 20 years, I’ve called Athens, GA home. It’s where I planted roots, built a career, and became part of a vibrant community. I’ve spent those two decades working as an event planner for Epting Events, where I’ve had the honor of helping bring countless weddings, galas, and celebrations to life. The job has been more than just work — it’s been a front-row seat to some of life’s most beautiful moments.

But another dream was always quietly tucked away — owning a gift shop. Not just any shop, but one that offered custom monogramming, personalized stationery, and curated gifts that celebrate life’s little joys and meaningful moments. Nearly two years ago, that dream became reality when I purchased PlainJane Designs. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of creativity, community support, and personal fulfillment. Every embroidered name and handwritten note carries a piece of my heart.

Outside of work, life is beautifully full. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for nearly 10 years, and we’re raising the light of our lives — our sweet 4-year-old son, Palmer. He is full of curiosity, laughter, and love… and he absolutely has my heart.

This journey — from Bainbridge to Athens, from dance shoes to monogrammed ribbons — has been one of passion, persistence, and purpose. I’m grateful for every step and even more excited for what’s still to come.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. Life has tested me in ways I never could have imagined. After facing three brain surgeries, everything changed. Challenges like that shift your perspective — they make you reevaluate what truly matters. They wake you up. And in that awakening, I realized it was finally time to stop waiting and start living the dream that had always been in my heart.

This story is still being written, but I carry it forward with gratitude. Because even though the road hasn’t been easy, I wouldn’t change a thing — it’s led me exactly where I was meant to be.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I own a boutique gift shop that specializes in custom stationery, monogramming, and personalized gifts. From hand-pressed notecards and wedding suites to embroidered baby blankets and bespoke hostess gifts, everything we create is designed with thoughtful details in mind. We’re known for combining classic design with a modern, personal touch—our clients come to us when they want something that feels truly special and one-of-a-kind.

I’m most proud of the relationships we’ve built with our customers over the years. Many of them return again and again for life’s biggest moments—birthdays, weddings, new babies, holidays—and it’s an honor to help mark those milestones with something meaningful. It’s also incredibly rewarding to see our pieces out in the world, knowing we helped add a personal touch to someone’s celebration or everyday life.

We truly believe in the power of personalization. Every item we create is crafted with care, and we take the time to understand each client’s needs and preferences. Whether it’s selecting the perfect font for a monogram or recommending colors that match a wedding palette, our attention to detail and commitment to quality set us apart. We also offer in-house design and production, which means we can bring ideas to life quickly and with a high level of customization that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that might surprise people is that I actually started out with a completely different career path—I wasn’t always in the world of design or retail. What began as a creative outlet, making personalized gifts for friends, quickly turned into a full-time passion. I’m mostly self-taught, and every skill—from calligraphy to embroidery—was something I learned through late nights, trial and error, and a genuine love for beautiful, meaningful details. People often assume I have a formal background, but the truth is, I’m still learning something new every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.plainjanedesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plainjanedesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plainjanedesigns

Image Credits
https://elizabethgraycheckphotography.com/