Turning Treasured Moments into Meaningful Opportunities
For Lelani Rossouw, founder and owner of Canvas Clowns, business has never been just about printing photos on canvas—it's about transforming lives, one frame at a time.
A Journey Rooted in Experience
With 22 years in the printing industry, Lelani has seen it all. For two decades, she worked in partnership with her husband, building expertise and understanding what truly matters to customers. But it was the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that sparked a pivotal shift in her journey.
"I've been there—I know what it's like when money is tight and life feels impossibly hard," Lelani shares candidly. "I hate seeing people, especially women, suffer from lack of income. That experience shaped everything I do today."
In 2021, Lelani made a bold decision: she took the canvas printing side of their business and transformed it into something more personal, more meaningful—Canvas Clowns was born.
More Than Just Canvas—It's Connection
What sets Canvas Clowns apart isn't just the quality of the prints; it's the profound connection to people's most treasured moments.
"We work directly with the memories that matter most," Lelani explains. "From engagement photos to weddings, holidays to births, birthdays to funeral centerpieces—we literally become part of people's life journeys. When customers experience that 'aha moment' seeing their memories beautifully preserved, it's the best feeling ever. You feel like you've become part of their story."
This personal touch drove Lelani to innovate. In early 2023, Canvas Clowns launched their Shopify online store at www.canvasclowns.co.za, where customers could upload their own photos while placing orders—a feature that was unique to the industry then and remains distinctive today.
Empowering Women, Building Independence
But Lelani's vision extends far beyond beautiful canvas prints. At the core of Canvas Clowns is a mission to empower women to achieve financial independence.
"I love helping people generate their own passive income," she says passionately. "I train them, educate them, and equip them with marketing content so they can set up and start their business in just 10 minutes."
Today, Canvas Clowns has grown to include 50 resellers across South Africa—women who have embraced the opportunity to build flexible, profitable businesses on their own terms.
Lelani's approach is refreshingly practical and encouraging. Her motto? "Just make new money." It's simple but powerful: work towards another sale, generate new income, and cover what's needed. "I know it sounds simple," she laughs, "but it's super encouraging when you're building something from the ground up."
A Vision for Transformative Growth
Lelani dreams big for Canvas Clowns. Her vision is to build the business into a nationally recognized brand that stands as a beacon of opportunity and empowerment across South Africa—a thriving enterprise that proves family businesses can scale with heart and purpose intact.
But growth, for Lelani, isn't just about numbers. Her ultimate goal is to establish a dedicated production facility that creates meaningful employment for those who need it most: disabled women and elderly individuals struggling to make ends meet.
"I want to train them in our production line, creating real jobs for the disadvantaged," she explains. "It's about giving back to the community and helping where we can. Everyone deserves dignity, purpose, and the opportunity to earn their own income."
The Canvas Clowns Difference
Today, Canvas Clowns stands as a testament to what's possible when passion meets purpose. It's a business built on:
- 22 years of printing expertise refined into specialized excellence
- Personal connection to customers' most meaningful moments
- Innovative technology that makes ordering simple and accessible
- Empowerment through a proven reseller model
- Community impact with a vision for inclusive employment
For Lelani Rossouw, every canvas tells two stories: the treasured memory captured in the photo, and the journey of empowerment that brought it to life.
"Life is hard without financial stability—I've lived it," Lelani reflects. "But I've also learned that with the right support, training, and opportunity, anyone can build something meaningful. That's what Canvas Clowns is really about: turning moments into memories, and opportunities into independence."
Ready to join the Canvas Clowns family? Whether you're looking to preserve your precious memories or build your own business, visit www.canvasclowns.co.za to start your journey today.