All Hart Main wanted was a new bike. He wanted to get a new one because of the loss he sustained at a triathlon, but Hart had to figure out how he was going to scrape up 1,200 dollars for a new bike. after finding out about the feminine scented candles that his sister was selling for a school fundraiser, he decided to make manly candles of his own to sell. Hart spent 100 dollars of his personal savings (as well as 200 dollars from his parents) on candle making supplies. Hart and his parents began to experiment and develop their candles, and they created a whopping 20,000 candles from November 2010 to spring of the next year. to add a little masculine flair to his brand, Hart decided to put the candles in soup cans and call the company ManCan
s, a man-centered candle company that offers manly scents for the guys. As one can imagine, the house was getting a little cramped from all the candle making supplies everywhere, but thankfully business was booming. Because of that, Hart was able to move the ManCans operation to a warehouse and hired several employees to maximize production. Over the next few years, ManCans continued to produce candles from the warehouse, but eventually they caught the eye of a candle tycoon. In January 2014, the Beaver Creek Candle Co. approached Hart. Beaver Creek wanted to take on the manufacturing and distributing process in Lisbon, and Hart obliged. after this seismic business win, Hart started another candle line for girls called SheCans. it had only been a few short years, but Hart had taken this small candle making venture in 2010 to a flourishing business with his products in 150 stores nationwide. with surging sales, he was able to donate money to soup shelters in the hope that he helps out the less fortunate. Hart just wanted to sell the candles to get a new bike; he got much more than he bargained for!
Archive for candles
Hart Main is a young entrepreneur who has gained recognition for his unique business, MansCans. MansCans is a line of canned scents that are specifically designed for men. Main noticed a lack of air fresheners that appealed to men and decided to fill the gap in the market by creating his own line of scents.
The scents offered by MansCans are all masculine and appealing, including “Fresh Cut Grass,” “New Leather Jacket,” and “Sawdust.” In addition to being a novel and unique product, the cans are also environmentally friendly, made from recycled materials.
Since launching his business, Main has seen great success. His products have been featured in several major publications, and he has even been invited to speak at entrepreneurial conferences. He attributes his success to his dedication to creating a high-quality product that meets a need in the market.
Overall, Hart Main and his business, MansCans, have proven to be a successful and innovative addition to the world of air fresheners.
Hart Main was 13-15 years old when he created ManCan, a candle company that makes “manly” scents. The idea came when he made fun of his sister for her “girly” scented candles that she was selling. So, Hart, who was saving up for a $1,500 bike, made it happen. He and his parents invested some money into making manly-scented candles in soup cans, came up with the clever name ManCan, and started selling.
They are now handmade by Beaver Creek Candle Company in Lisbon, Ohio, by a developmentally disabled workforce. The flavors have included Hot Coca, New Mitt, Grandpa’s pipe, root beer, gun powder, Santa’s beard, Dirt, Cigar, New car, campfire, sawdust, New York Style Pizza, and more. As of 2016, Hart’s candles are sold in every state, with sales exceeding six figures annually. Additionally, part of each sale is donated to soup kitchens in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan.
Hart also went on the Steve Harvey show to talk about his entrepreneurship. When he told him that he was a freshman at Kent State, Harvey said “You know who you’re talking to? You’re talking to the most famous dude to ever flunk out of that school!” as Harvey went there as well. Additionally, in a different interview, he said that at first he started the business for purely selfish reasons, but keeps it going because of the developmentally disabled people and soup kitchens it supports.
You don’t have to have made huge strides to be considered an entrepreneur. This is why I find Hart Main’s story not only amusingly adorable, but also inspirational for all young kids (and adults) with creative minds. Hart is a 14-year old that came up with the idea of manly scented candles, which he has wittingly branded as ManCans.
He came up with this idea when he was teasing his sister about the “girly scented” candles she was selling for a school fundraiser. Hart wanted to take a spin on the average candle and direct it at a different than normal audience, men. Although his family didn’t expect him to pursue the manly scented candles idea himself, he did. Hart’s idea has since turned into a nationwide success.
He put in an initial investment of $100, his parents put in $200, and together they all worked on developing the candles. Some of the available scents include: Campfire, Bacon, Sawdust, Fresh Cut Grass, Grandpa’s Pipe and more. Currently, ManCans’ candles are in over 60 stores across the country and have sold about 9,000 units. Hart plans to stick with selling ManCans’ inventory until he has to shift his focus back into school, he is only 14 after all.
Hart Main specifically inspires me in the way that he views entrepreneurship and innovation. He saw the smallest gap in a market and jumped at the opportunity to fill it. This is a view that I believe more entrepreneurs should put into use: whatever our dreams, ideas or projects, if we plant a seed, from that small thing comes fruit greater than we could imagine.