Candles are great; everybody loves them, but that has not always been the case for everyone. For the longest time, candles have been something considered only to be enjoyed by girls. However, when a young man named Hart Main made fun of his sister for liking “girly candles”, something changed in his mind that would change his life forever…
When he was just 13 years old, Hart started his own business in an effort to save up for a $1,200 bike, but the business became so much more than he could have ever imagined. After poking fun at his sister, saying that candles were meant for girls only, he came up with the idea to create his own scents that would appeal to a more masculine audience. So, Hart created his own candles with scents such as campfire, bacon, fresh-cut grass, grandpa’s pipe, and more. With a little help from his parents, he created his candles using soup cans, and decided to name his business ManCans, a rather clever play on words that perfectly conveys the company message. Although things started small, with most of the customer base being friends and family, Main began to see some rapid growth in his business endeavor. He began distributing to local stores in Ohio, and now sells his candles in over 150 stores across the country.
The business now grosses over $200,000 annually, and Hart went off to college to study economics at Kent State. Mr. Main also gives back to the community by donating a portion of his profits to local soup kitchens. He even donates soup cans to the local kitchens as well, which interestingly ties into his business model quite nicely!
Hart Main says he is grateful for everything he has learned in this entrepreneurial endeavor, and is excited to see how he can apply it to his life in the future.
