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My name is Ella Titus and I am currently in the Business Startup APEX class. This is my third APEX class, previously I have taken Designing Communication Solutions (DCS) and Developing Web-Based Technologies (DWT), where I learned skills in graphic design, marketing and web design. While I loved learning all of these skills and use them every day, I love being in the Startup class because it allows me to focus on my true passion: fashion design. I have been designing and constructing various clothing items and costumes my whole life. I plan on attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) next fall to pursue a degree in Fashion Design. I plan on one day launching my own brand, specializing in custom formal wear. I currently am a president of Waukee’s fashion club and a producer of our annual fashion show! In addition to fashion, I am also passionate about theatre where I serve as one of the Senior FNL Producers as well as the Head Costume Designer for many of Waukee’s productions.

My experiences in APEX have been extremely beneficial to me over the last year and a half. I have learned valuable professional skills like writing emails, public speaking, and working with clients. Along with these skills I have also learned great technical skills in programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Lightroom, as well as how to create a WordPress website using Divi Builder. APEX has taught me so much about confidently working with professionals my age and above, and how to be a strong team leader. The skills and flexibility that I have been taught through agile training have made me a much more adaptable person. The skills I built through APEX have directly translated into my everyday life and I feel like they set me so far apart from what all of my peers are doing outside of this program!

Currently, in Business Startup, I am working on starting my own fashion design brand! It is called Ella Katherine Designs and I am going to focus on designing formal wear that is easily customizable by my customer or client. I want to create a brand that offers easily customizable aspects because clothing in the formal wear category, such as wedding dresses, are extremely important garments in my client’s life and they want to be able to buy something that is exactly what they want. The majority of my brand will be online; however, I hope to open a few physical locations at some point. If you want to learn more about my business check out ellakatherinedesigns.com or @ella.katherine.designs on Instagram!