Meet the Founders: The Story of Victry and Tobi
Founded in 2023 by Victry Simbo and Oluwatobi Akinde, Perky Pen is a UK-based greeting card and gift company with a strong commitment to representing individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds.

The journey of Perky Pen began shortly after my graduation in 2023, while Tobi had completed his university studies a year earlier. Our initial concept revolved around creating greeting cards aimed at making a positive impact in our community. We kicked things off by crafting personalized cards for our fathers for Father's Day. Armed with an iPad, I set out to learn Procreate and digital art, honing my skills through YouTube tutorials and designing various cards along the way.
By September 2023, we took part in a competition organized by the non-profit organization Blueprint For All as part of their Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programme. Over five weeks, we engaged in workshops and presented our idea to a panel of judges. To our delight, we were announced as winners in October 2023, receiving the Starter Entrepreneurs Prize along with a grant!
As creatives, we value authenticity in our designs. Every art-based product and cards are carefully crafted by us using digital art applications. With my roots in Zimbabwe and Tobi's in Nigeria, our cultural backgrounds play a significant role in shaping our mission and artistic expressions.
Born from our passion for art and our love for our fathers, we established Perky Pen to promote community and inclusivity within the gifting market. Our aim is to help individuals create lasting memories and share love through our unique products.