ABOUT
Melanie Perkins, born in 1987 in Perth, Western Australia, is an Australian entrepreneur and the co-founder of Canva, a globally popular online graphic design platform. She studied communications, psychology, and commerce at the University of Western Australia, where she first noticed the challenges people faced with complex design tools like Photoshop. This inspired her to create a simpler, more accessible design platform.
In 2007, Melanie co-founded Fusion Books, a yearbook design platform, which laid the foundation for Canva. Launched in 2012 with co-founders Cliff Obrecht (her husband) and Cameron Adams, Canva quickly became a billion-dollar company, making Melanie one of the youngest female CEOs of a tech unicorn. Today, Canva empowers millions of users worldwide to create stunning designs effortlessly. Melanie's journey is celebrated as a story of innovation, resilience, and visionary leadership.
BEFORE RICHES
Before Melanie Perkins co-founded Canva, she had an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. At just 14, she started her first business, selling handmade scarves at markets in Perth. Later, while studying at the University of Western Australia, she worked as a private tutor, teaching students graphic design. It was during this time that she noticed how difficult and time-consuming traditional design tools like Photoshop were for beginners.
This observation inspired her to create a simpler design solution. In 2007, she co-founded Fusion Books, an online platform that allowed students and schools to design their own yearbooks using a drag-and-drop interface. Fusion Books became a success in Australia and laid the foundation for her future venture, Canva. Her early experiences reflect her innovative mindset and determination to solve real-world problems.
HOW SHE MADE 1st MILLION
Melanie Perkins made her fortune as the co-founder and CEO of Canva, a revolutionary online graphic design platform. Launched in 2013, Canva democratized design by offering an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface, making professional-quality design accessible to everyone. The platform quickly gained global popularity, attracting millions of users and becoming a unicorn company valued at billions of dollars.
Melanie's wealth primarily comes from her 18% stake in Canva, which has been valued at over $40 billion at its peak. Her entrepreneurial journey, from starting Fusion Books to building Canva, showcases her vision, resilience, and ability to solve real-world problems with innovative solutions. Today, she is one of the youngest female CEOs of a tech unicorn and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.