Ella Janssen: Showing How a Course Can Shape Creativity into a Business

For many students, classroom assignments end when the semester is over. But for Ella Janssen, one class project became the foundation for a real business.

Like many young creatives, Janssen started small. Growing up, she spent hours designing, crafting, and bringing her ideas to life. At the time, it was just something she enjoyed. She didn’t fully realize it could become a career.

That changed when she got to university.

When School Becomes Real Life

After enrolling at Iowa State University to study graphic design, Janssen began exploring her creativity more seriously. However, a particular course in 2024 changed everything.

The class was built around real-world experience. Instead of just theory, students worked with actual clients, handled deadlines, and solved real problems.

One major project involved creating branding for a university brewery. Janssen and her team developed a design that stood out and was eventually selected.

That moment was important. Not just because of the recognition, but because it showed her that her work had value outside the classroom.

“I realized this creative part of me wasn’t just a hobby, it was something I could build on,” she said.

How Janssen Took The Leap

After that experience, Janssen started seeing her skills differently. She began taking on more projects and exploring a niche in packaging and product design.

In 2024, she decided to start her own design business, Monologue. Like many student entrepreneurs, she didn’t have everything figured out at the beginning. But she took the first step.

Through a startup program, she was able to shape her ideas, build her brand, and launch her business properly.

Building While Still a Student

Janssen’s journey is one many students can relate to. Learning, experimenting, and figuring things out along the way is a common struggle.

Within a short time, she began working with clients and completing real projects. Some of her designs even made it to store shelves, turning what started as classwork into something tangible.

In just over a year, she completed several projects and generated more than $20,000 in revenue.

Why Janssen’s  Story Matters for Students

Janssen’s story highlights something important: opportunities don’t always come from outside. Rather, they can start right in the classroom.

By taking her assignments seriously and being open to learning, she was able to turn a simple course into a business opportunity.

It also shows that students don’t have to wait until graduation to start building something of their own.

After graduation, Janssen plans to focus on her business full-time. Her goal is to continue growing her brand and doing work she genuinely enjoys.

Her journey is a reminder that for students, passion combined with action can lead to real results.