Hart Main was 13 when his younger sister was selling candles as a fundraiser. He realized they all smelled feminine and joked about making manly scented candles. When his mom heard him say that, she encouraged him to produce his idea.

Main began mixing waxes and oils in his own home attempting to make these candles. He went for scents like bacon, fresh cut grass, and brand new baseball glove–all scents that smell good and appeal to men. He called his newly produced candles “ManCans”. He thought up other scents, like “Money to Burn”, but kept in mind that his target market most likely wouldn’t want a room to smell like it’s burning.

His business grew quickly. Main and his mother would make candles in their kitchen, and soon had to find a new space for ManCans. As for their materials, he purchases his oils from Ohio, but the cans they come in make his company stand out. Hart Main purchases cans of soup, donates them to local soup kitchens, then comes back to retrieve the cans once they are empty so he can put his candles in them.

Main has been selling his candles at a retail price of $9.50. His mother reported that he is very hands on with his business and treats as if he were a 50 year old CEO. He talks with his distributors and suppliers, and directly resolves any issues he comes across. At a young age of 13, Hart became an entrepreneur, and continues to produce ManCans today.