Growing up, Mekdes saw her mom, Demeh, working hard from sunrise to sunset to put food on the table, fixing and changing the looks of clothes with only a needle and thread. The roots of her mother's interest in fashion traced back to her grandfather, a tailor, whose craft her mom absorbed, unknowingly passing down the skills that would later define Mekdes's path.

The "aha" moment for Mekdes's love for fashion came during high school when friends noticed her fashion and style sense. This discovery led her to explore the world of fashion design, taking a short course during a transformative summer.

Despite initially studying civil engineering at Ambo University, Mekdes returned to Addis Ababa to pursue her true passion during her second year. But, as her mother felt she had failed to raise her and told Mekdes that completing her education meant a lot to her, Mekdes, convinced by her mother, completed her civil engineering degree. Additionally, she pursued another degree in management, presenting it as a gift to her mom. She said, 'This is my gift for you, and now is the time to dedicate my life to myself and my dream.' 

Amidst the global pandemic, COVID-19, Mekdes seized the opportunity to dive into her passion. She taught herself, took a fashion internship, balanced a day job in technology, and attended evening fashion courses. She embraced each chance to learn and grow, considering herself lucky to have worked for a fashion company that paid her and taught her a lot. She believes working for others is a great opportunity to learn about business before starting one's own because it provides a chance to learn about technical aspects, finance, managing people, marketing, and more. 

A small, unindustrialized sewing machine marked the beginning of her venture. From making clothes for friends and family during the pause in formal education, today she runs a workshop, turning her passion into the brand DEMII, a tribute to her mom Demeh, who was a constant inspiration. While DEMII is making progress, Mekdes knows there's a long road ahead. Despite uncertainties, she approaches her work with full dedication and energy, trusting the process and eagerly anticipating the future that her brand holds. As Mekdes reflects on her journey, she offers valuable advice to her younger self and aspiring budding entrepreneurs to follow their passion, prioritize their vision, and stay true to their gut. 

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