Category Archives: WRTIY post S5

Online graphic design platform Canva is worth $26 billion. 85% of Fortune 500 companies utilize Canva. And its users span 190 countries. But when Australian entrepreneur Melanie Perkins pitched Canva to investors, she got the following feedback:

“Your headquarters are in Australia – that’s too far away.”
“You didn’t go to Harvard, Stanford or MIT.”
“Your idea is too ambitious.”
“Your idea isn’t ambitious enough.”
And, “The market is too small.”

185 million monthly users later, Canva holds the title of world’s most valuable startup founded and led by a woman.

You may not recognize the name Bessie Coleman, so you may be wondering whether or not to tune into this episode. But, I would highly encourage you to give it a listen. It’s a story our team – from our director Callie to our engineer Geoff – all declared one of their favourites of the entire series. Because it’s a story about the ripple effects of bravery. Coleman battled racism, sexism, poverty and rejection to – just 20 years after the Wright Brothers successfully flew the first controlled airplane – become the first Black woman pilot. What Coleman didn’t know, was that her resilience would inspire another incredible woman – whose story we’ve already told on this show. Turns out, the sky is not the limit.

Hope you’ll join us.

Since the year 1937, over 60 Dr. Seuss books have been published. Over 650 million copies have been sold. Leading to film adaptations grossing over $1.7 billion at the box office. But before the famed author was Dr. Seuss, he was Theodor Geisel. And his first children’s book “A Story That No One Could Beat” was a story that no one would want. After being rejected by every publisher in Manhattan, Geisel decided to burn his drawings. Then, a chance encounter changed everything.

Manon Rhéaume was told hockey was for boys only. Manon Rhéaume was cut from teams for being a girl. Manon Rhéaume was heckled by parents in the stands. Manon Rhéaume was told she’d never play pro. Manon Rhéaume became the first woman to ever play in an NHL game. If you enjoyed our Hayley Wickenheiser episodes last season, give this one a listen. It’s a story of courage, vulnerability and unwavering determination.

Adam Driver is a two-time Academy Award nominated actor known for his roles in films like Marriage Story, BlacKkKlansman and the Star Wars franchise as Kylo Ren. But before landing his breakout role on HBO’s Girls, Driver was rejected from Juilliard, turned his Lincoln Town Car around before he reached Los Angeles and was medically discharged from the Marines prior to deployment. Broke and struggling to find his way, Driver made a bold decision: to apply to Juilliard again.