How I Built This with Guy Raz Canva: Melanie Perkins (2019)
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Mar 1, 2021 Melanie Perkins, the innovative Co-founder and CEO of Canva, shares her journey from a college student frustrated with design software to leading a $6 billion graphic design revolution. She discusses her small beginnings with a yearbook design site and the pivotal meetings that helped secure crucial funding. Perkins candidly opens up about the challenges of leadership, emotional highs and lows in entrepreneurship, and how unexpected opportunities shaped her path. Her story highlights how Canva is democratizing design and fostering creativity for everyone.
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Initial Funding
- Melanie and Cliff secured a $50,000 loan from friends and family to start Fusion Books.
- They also received a $5,000 tax return, which became their marketing budget.
Early Growth
- In their first year, Fusion Books acquired 16 schools.
- They even set up printing presses in Melanie's mom's living room thanks to a deal with Fuji Xerox.
Creating Opportunities
- Be proactive and create opportunities.
- Melanie secured a meeting with Bill Tai by telling him she would be in Silicon Valley, prompting her trip.