Hobby sparks creative business venture with MBP Creative Co.

Published 9:05 am Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Mary Beth Pennington may not originally be from Milledgeville, but she has made it her home.

She moved here from Watkinsville, Georgia for college and stayed after graduation in 2018. It’s where Pennington met her Milledgeville native husband, so it makes sense that she stuck around. These days Pennington works full-time at Georgia College & State University, her alma mater. In addition to her full-time work, she recently pursued another outside business interest. Her business, MBP Creative Co., began as a project for friends. But beginning in 2019, she turned it into a full-fledged venture.

MBP Creative Co. offers a wide range of custom items including painting on bottles, nursery signs, home portraits done in a watercolor style, custom plates, kraft paper banners and more. Pricing depends on the size and customer requests.

Packages begin at $225 (all prices include installation), and medium-size packages start at $275. The large packages start at $350.

MBP Creative Co. also does balloons for grand openings. The custom wedding packages can also include invitations and save the date designs, envelope lettering, chalkboard/mirror lettering, place card lettering/design, bar signs, buffet labels, and seating arrangement designs.

Pennington said she is always open to trying to make new things.

The business underwent a rebrand to give Pennington a bit more flexibility when it comes to what she can make.

MBP Creative Co. allows Pennington to create and also provides stress relief.

When people come to her about a job, she said she is as upfront as possible when it comes to pricing. She said that she appreciates when people come to her with their projects and she always tries to be a good steward when it comes to their time and resources.

To reach the business, Pennington said the best way is by sending a message on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mbpcreativeco). The business also has a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/share/1N6hjFJ1Qv/?mibextid=wwXIfr) and an email address (mbpcreativeco@gmail.com). Customers who mention this profile when they message MBP Creative Co. can get 10% off their order. Pennington does not have set business hours because of her day job but she works on these late into the night whenever she has orders to fill.

Pennington said running MBP Creative Co. allows her to interact with people and she is grateful for that. She said she also appreciates repeat customers who trusted her to do multiple jobs. Building relationships means a great deal to her, she said.

In an age where custom designs increasingly involved Artificial Intelligence, MBP Creative Co. is unique because Pennington makes items custom, tailoring to the person or event. She goes above and beyond to create something special for her customers without cutting corners.

“Being able to open up this business and it be a creative outlet for me but also help people, that has been what’s been really special to me,” she said.