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What did you do when you were 13? I read books on my couch. Hart Main started a country wide candle business.
In 2010, Hart Main had a dream: get a $1200 bike, and pay for it out of pocket. Rather than go through the usual process of lawn mowing and other equally slow, equally odious tasks, he found a way out. His sister was selling candles for a school fundraiser. Like any good young boy, Hart thought these candles had weird, “girly” scents. He knew no self respecting lad would be caught dead sniffing such effeminate wax cylinders. There was only one way out: Man Can.
Man Can is a candle business, but this time, the candles are cool. Featuring scents like Campfire, Bacon, and Battleship, he created a candle that any man could be proud of. Since he knew glass jars are obviously un-manly, he also put them in cans to increase masculine appeal.
Unique to his business model, he also donates a portion of all his proceeds to Soup Kitchens in three different states. Perhaps because of this social benefit, or because of his age, his business took off. Hart now sells candles in all 50 states.
Hart’s innovation comes specifically because he addressed a gap in the market. Candles are nothing new, but they had come to be associated with female aesthetic pursuits. He showed that anyone can light glorified beehives on fire.
I am inspired by this young entrepreneur. Not because he radicalized his market; it was a small innovation. Not because he built a massive business; candles are no monumental market. But because he was so young, his case is particularly impressive. Once again I say, age is no limiter. As the verse says, do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, even if you’re just making candles.
https://www.timesreporter.com/article/20150720/NEWS/150729951
https://www.investopedia.com/10-successful-young-entrepreneurs-4773310
This is a very inspiring story! We all have different projects or things we want and often we only dream of these without taking action. Hart Main exemplified that at any age, any time, its worth a shot to shoot for those goals and dreams, waiting only lets them out of sight. His market focus show the marks of a great entrepreneur and his great success so far is a product of that.
This is a sweet 1st business idea from a super young individual! It was a very well thought out model as well. Knowing how guys wouldn’t want the same scents as girls did he, changes the game and make a whole new pallet of scents that men will be down to buy. Also thinking about the packaging of the product, Hart Main changes what the candles come in as well to make a more appealing product.
Not an earth shattering idea, but the innovation and creativity at this age is remarkable. Really love this!
I love Hart Main’s drive and how it all started off with a dream to buy a bike. He exemplified entrepreneur traits through his drive to take advantage of the opportunity he saw; a lack of candles that tailor to men. It is truly impressive how he turned his idea into a such a successful business at the age of 13.