At the age of 13, Hart Main embarked on a unique entrepreneurial journey by founding ManCans, a candle company with a distinctive twist – crafting “manly” scents and packaging them in recycled soup cans. What started as a playful comment about the “girly” scents of candles his sister was selling for a school fundraiser turned into a thriving business venture that went far beyond his initial goal.

Hart’s initial motivation was to purchase a high-quality racing bike priced at $1,200. His parents encouraged him to fund the purchase himself, setting the stage for the creation of ManCans. The idea of masculine-scented candles was resurrected by Hart’s mother, Amy, and he used his $100 in savings to acquire supplies and a starter kit for candle making. The Main family’s kitchen became the candle-making laboratory, and from November 2010 to spring 2011, they produced their first 20,000 candles in-house.

“My goal was to buy the bike, then be done with it.”

But Hart had stumbled upon something that was bigger than the $1,200 bike. The early stage of the business was undoubtedly challenging. The kitchen was filled with piles of cans and candles, and the family’s living space transformed into a makeshift production facility. To source their containers, they began eating canned soup. As the candle production grew, they recruited friends and neighbors to help empty the cans, and soon they had the idea to donate the surplus soup to food banks. This act of giving was the birth of ManCans’ philanthropic mission.

In 2011, the Main family donated 200 cans of soup to a local soup kitchen, expecting the empty cans to last around five months. Their story garnered the attention of a Columbus news station, and soon, the Associated Press picked it up. This unexpected media coverage resulted in an overwhelming surge of orders for 4,800 candles from 1,600 customers. The family’s kitchen was no longer sufficient for their growing business, and they rented warehouse space and hired about five employees to help meet the demand. In January 2014, ManCans partnered with Beaver Creek Candle Co. in Lisbon, Ohio, for manufacturing and distribution, a partnership that continues to this day.

Not content with only catering to the male market, Hart expanded his business by launching SheCans, a candle line with scents targeting women. Both ManCans and SheCans candles are manufactured by Beaver Creek Candle Co. However, instead of donating soup, ManCans now contributes 75 cents from every candle sale to support soup kitchens in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan, recognizing that cash donations are often more valuable than food.

The Main family is directly involved in the creation of many of their candle scents, although some are suggested by customers. Notable scents include Fresh Cut Grass, Campfire, Bacon, Sawdust, Grandpa’s Pipe, and even Two-Stroke Engine. Perfumists in New Jersey work on scent development, mixing chemicals and sending samples to Hart until the aroma is perfected.

ManCans candles are now available in numerous locations across the United States, including McDonald Niklaus Framing in Dover and Kames Sports in North Canton. They can also be purchased online through the ManCans website. The success of ManCans not only supports the business but also helps feed the hungry and encourages young people to explore entrepreneurship at an early age.

To further his mission of promoting entrepreneurship among young people, Hart and his father, Craig, co-authored the book “One Candle, One Meal.” Each chapter of the book incorporates valuable business lessons Hart learned throughout his journey. Their aim is to inspire and educate the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Hart Main’s achievements are not limited to the candle business. Despite his early success, he has aspirations beyond the world of candles. Hart plans to attend Kent State University to major in economics with the goal of becoming a sports agent. His story exemplifies how a casual idea can evolve into a thriving business with a philanthropic mission, all while inspiring young entrepreneurs and giving back to the community. It’s a testament to the power of determination, innovation, and the willingness to seize unexpected opportunities.