She envisioned Canva, the tool you can use to create any design in a snap today. However, she needed investment for this project, but investors were not convinced of her idea.
At 37 years old, Melanie Perkins, with a net worth of $440 million (over Rs 36,770 crore), has decided to donate 80% of her earnings to charitable causes. Melanie Perkins shines brightly among the world's wealthy and philanthropic women.
Melanie Perkins was born in 1987 in Perth, Western Australia and studied at Sacred Heart College and then pursued Communications and Commerce at the University of Western Australia. From a young age, Perkins had an entrepreneurial mind. At just 14 years old, she ventured into the business world by selling handmade scarves. The small earnings she made helped her with her studies. At 19, she started a new business called Fusion Books, an online design tool that allowed students to create their own yearbooks. Building on this idea, she reached a point where her name is now taken with pride around the world.
While teaching a design programme at the university, Perkins noticed how difficult the tools were for students. This gave her an idea: why not create an easy and accessible design tool? With this in mind, she envisioned Canva, the tool you can use to create any design in a snap today. However, she needed investment for this project, but investors were not convinced of her idea. Consequently, she faced rejection from at least 100 places. However, this didn't break Melanies's spirit and in 2012, she co-founded Canva with Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams.
Canva offers users a very easy interface and a large number of design templates. If someone wants to create a Facebook cover, there are pre-made designs available. Canva has ready-to-use canvases for various social media platforms, making it easy for users to create graphics. It also offers options for video creation. This online software, with so many features, quickly became popular. Millions of people around the world use it today.
Perkins has always emphasised Canva's mission to democratise design. This means making it accessible and easy for everyone. Canva has offices around the world and continues to develop, adding new features.
According to Forbes, as of July 14, 2024, Melanie Perkins' net worth is estimated to be around $4.4 billion (Rs 37000 crore approximately). She holds an 18% stake in Canva. Her wealth primarily comes from her significant share in Canva, whose valuation has increased greatly in recent years.
Melanie Perkins is married to Cliff Obrecht, her co-founder at Canva. The couple married in January 2021. Obrecht is known for his humble nature and dedication to philanthropy. Both Perkins and Obrecht have signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate a significant portion of their wealth to charitable causes.
Details of Perkins' annual salary are not publicly available. However, she receives a salary, bonuses, and equity as a co-founder and CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company. Perkins has received several awards for her work, including being featured in Forbes' Top Under 30 of the decade and various influential business lists.
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