We recently connected with Bethany Nanan and have shared our conversation below.

Bethany, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

For me, success begins with a true passion for what you do and a commitment to working hard every day. My journey in the event industry started with Epting Events, where I gained hands-on experience in everything from planning to execution. The work is challenging, but when you love what you do, the rewards far outweigh the effort. Event planning isn’t for everyone, but I fell in love and could not imagine doing anything different!

When I started PlainJane Designs, it was driven by my love for small businesses and my lifelong dream of creating something that helps people. I’ve always found joy in helping others find the perfect gift, creating a custom invitation that fits a client’s vision perfectly, or curating an experience that brings someone’s dream event to life. It’s those little moments of making people happy that fuel my passion. In fact, it’s always been a dream of mine to open a gift shop, where people can find unique and thoughtful items. That’s where PlainJane Designs comes in—it’s a place where creativity, personal touch, comfort, and a love for making people feel special all come together!

While I don’t have an MBA, my experience comes from being hands-on in every part of my life. I’ve learned through doing—whether it’s event design, curating the perfect invitation, or managing the details that make an event memorable. I have learned that I am not a cook, nor a florist, but I’ve always embraced the opportunity to dive into new areas and learn whatever I can. What I do best is bringing creative ideas to life, communicating, and ensuring that any individual I cross paths with is happy!

For me, success isn’t just about seeing an immediate outcome, it’s about making a positive impact and creating experiences that people cherish. The hard work will pay off. I love what I do and am so blessed with the work that I do! That’s what drives me to be successful and keeps me passionate about what I do every day.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m originally from South Georgia and have called Athens home for many years now. I’m happily married to Aragorn Nanan, and together we are blessed with a beautiful little boy, Palmer. He is my biggest inspiration and the reason I push myself every day. I want Palmer to grow up understanding the value of hard work, and I hope one day he’ll look at me and feel proud of what I’ve built and the example I’ve set for him. Everything I do is for him, and his happiness and future are my daily motivation to work hard and give my best!

I found my way into the event industry through Epting Events (formerly Lee Epting Catering). From the moment I joined the event planning industry, I knew I had found my calling. I fell in love with every part of the event planning process—from the décor and flowers to the music and food. There’s something truly special about bringing all those elements together to create unforgettable moments for people.

What I love most about this industry is the opportunity to help people bring their visions to life. Whether I’m working with couples to create the perfect wedding or planning corporate and social events, I get so much joy out of being a part of something that makes people happy. I’ve always been passionate about the details. The special touches make an event truly memorable, and that’s what I try to deliver with everything that I do.

With PlainJane Designs, I wanted to create a business that offered beautiful, meaningful products and services while also giving back to the community. Over the years, I’ve volunteered extensively with nonprofits, helping plan events, as well as donating my time to causes I believe in. Whether it’s helping someone find the perfect gift or supporting the community with a personalized cocktail napkin, I take great pride in knowing I’m making a positive impact.

At PlainJane Designs, I focus on creating unique, personalized experiences that reflect my passion for the small details and my commitment to making every event special. I have always been a fan of gift shops and I’m so proud to have one of my own! I love the feeling of helping a customer find the perfect gift for someone special. I want people to know that PlainJane Designs is building on hard work, care, and a genuine love for making others happy. I cannot wait to watch this business continue to grow, and I am so thankful for all of the hard work put in!

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

I purchased PlainJane Designs, a business I’ve always admired. Coming from the event planning industry, I’ve always had a passion for the small details—the perfect invitation, a thoughtful gift, or the personal touches that make an event truly memorable. Owning PlainJane Designs has given me the opportunity to bring that love for meaningful details into a business where I can help people create special moments.

Since owning PlainJane Designs, I’ve poured my heart into making sure that every product and service we offer reflects the care and thoughtfulness I want to share with our customers. It’s been such a rewarding experience, and every day I feel grateful to be able to help people find the perfect gift or design an invitation that adds something special to their celebrations. There is something so meaningful about finding the perfect fit for someone. It’s the kind of work that truly fills me with joy, knowing that I’m part of making someone’s moment even more memorable.

I’m incredibly excited to watch PlainJane Designs grow and continue to evolve. I’m passionate about expanding what we offer—whether it’s new products, services, or ways to better support our community and other small businesses. I’m committed to building this small business and creating even more opportunities to bring joy, inspiration, personal touches, and meaningful moments to the people we serve.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most significant times I had to pivot in my life was when I was pregnant with my son, Palmer. I was in the middle of building a house and juggling work commitments when I suddenly had to deal with an unexpected health scare. After an MRI, the doctors found something concerning, and everything changed in an instant. What was once a time of excitement—getting ready for a new baby and a new home—became a time of uncertainty.

I had to slow down and make some big adjustments in both my personal life and work. I focused on my health, and thankfully, I had an incredible team of doctors at Piedmont Athens Regional who took such good care of me. I can honestly say I was surrounded by angels during that time. They not only gave me excellent medical care but also provided emotional support that helped me get through it all.

By the grace of God, everything turned out well. Palmer was born healthy, and I was able to finish building our house and return to work. I am so blessed with my beautiful son Palmer. He is my inspiration and is the reason I work so hard. I am so thankful for family, friends, and especially the Piedmont Athens Regional staff. This experience taught me about the importance of taking a step back when life demands it and how much we rely on the support of others during tough times.

With that being said, I feel like I pivot often in the event planning business. Things change quickly, and every event comes with its own set of challenges. I’m constantly adjusting and finding solutions on the fly, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I truly love what I do and find so much joy in being able to help people create special moments and memories through events.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.plainjanedesigns.com/ https://www.eptingevents.com/
• Instagram: @plainjanedesigns @eptingevents
• Facebook: @eptingevents @plainjanedesigns @Bethany Dodson Nanan
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-nanan-5928a813/

Image Credits

Elizabeth Graycheck Photography: Palmer and bethany
Casey Nelson Photography.: Headshot of Bethany
Anna & Spencer Photography: for pic of bethany and bride