Canvas Cloud Founder’s Story
From the Baseball Diamond and the Biology Lab: How Two Unlikely Founders Built Canvas Cloud
Not every tech founder comes from tech. In fact, neither of Canvas Cloud’s co-founders did.
Benjamin Dolar started out dreaming of becoming a marine biologist. Daniel Dibble had his sights set on professional baseball. Though their early ambitions were worlds apart, both men followed unexpected paths that led them into technology, entrepreneurship, and eventually to each other, where a shared mission became the foundation of Canvas Cloud.
Daniel Dibble’s love of data started early: tracking batting averages, predicting outcomes, and diving deep into the numbers behind the game. Though he didn’t make it to the major leagues, he carried that analytical mindset into a successful career in software sales, eventually specializing in CRM platforms like Microsoft Dynamics and Salesforce.
“I’ve always been drawn to strategy,” Daniel says. “Even in baseball, I loved figuring out how the pieces fit together. What made teams work, what helped them win. That translated surprisingly well to consulting.”
It was during Daniel’s time in sales at Ledgeview Partners that he met co-worker Benjamin, who was working on the implementation side of Salesforce projects.
Benjamin’s path to tech began while studying biology in college. A work-study assignment building a website for a professor sparked an unexpected fascination with design, development, and systems thinking and that one project changed everything.
“I had no idea that digitizing research data would turn into a career,” Benjamin recalls. “But I loved the structure of it. It was strategic and creative at the same time.”
Benjamin’s entrepreneurial spirit runs deep. As he discovered more about his family’s business history, he realized that building something from the ground up was in his DNA. Today, he shares that mindset with his kids, encouraging them to explore, create, and solve problems that matter. It’s a legacy of curiosity and creativity that continues to shape both his parenting and his leadership at Canvas Cloud.
The Origin of Canvas Cloud
When their employer began pulling away from Salesforce work, Daniel and Benjamin saw opportunity where others saw risk. They both believed that nonprofits and mission-driven SMBs deserved better. Better systems, better support, and better partnerships.
In 2019, they co-founded Canvas Cloud as a 100% virtual Salesforce consulting firm focused on clarity, creativity, and client success.
“We didn’t want to be just another implementation shop,” Benjamin explains. “We wanted to build a company that solved problems thoughtfully and collaboratively. A company that people enjoyed working with.”
They had complementary skill sets. Benjamin’s background in product and platform and Daniel’s experience in sales and strategy created a strong foundation. But what really made it work was a shared commitment to making Salesforce feel more approachable, more strategic, and ultimately more empowering for the organizations they served.
Wearing Many Hats (and Sometimes a Beret)
As co-founders of a growing business, there’s no such thing as a typical day. Daniel leads sales, marketing, and client relationships, always staying close to the work. Benjamin focuses on product development, delivery excellence, and team culture. Together, they build partnerships, drive vision, and help clients untangle messy Salesforce orgs with calm, clarity, and precision.
“It’s a lot of hats,” Daniel jokes. “And sometimes a beret, especially if we’re at a Salesforce Dreamin’ event.”
That creative streak shows up in more than just their problem-solving approach. The Canvas Cloud brand recently underwent a refresh to bring more of that personality to the forefront. Inspired by the artistic metaphor in their name, the updated brand introduces a friendlier, more approachable look and feel. One that reflects how the team actually works: strategic, collaborative, and genuinely invested in client success.
Why Canvas Cloud?
Canvas Cloud was built on the idea that technology should serve people, not the other way around. That’s why the company puts usability, clarity, and collaboration at the center of everything it does.
Whether it’s implementing Experience Cloud, running a Salesforce Assessment to prepare a client for Agentforce Nonprofit, or providing long-term Collab Managed Services, Canvas Cloud works hand-in-hand with mission-driven teams to make their Salesforce experience better.
“Our clients don’t always need more tech. They need better guidance,” Daniel says. “They need someone who can say, ‘Here’s what’s possible. Here’s what’s smart. And here’s how we’ll get there.’ That’s what we try to be.”
Ready to Paint a Smarter Salesforce Strategy?
Canvas Cloud helps nonprofits and SMBs transform their technology with strategy, empathy, and a little creativity. Want to learn more? Schedule a Free Salesforce Assessment to get started.
