HOW DID CARY START?

From Overbuilt to Everyday: How the Cary Lip Balm Holder Came to Be

Coming off a project called The Vier Lock, I realized something needed to change. That lock was too heavy, too complex, and way too expensive to produce. It taught me a lot—mostly what I didn't want in my next product. I wanted to design something small, personal, and manageable. Something I could make myself, without needing to place massive orders or take on debt. No investors. No warehouses. Just a shelf—or maybe two.

I also wanted to make something that wouldn’t cost a fortune to ship. That matters more than people think—it can make or break whether someone orders directly from you.

So, I started thinking about super portable, everyday objects. For some reason, I landed on: “What if people could carry spices with them?” (Yes, really.)

My wife was not impressed. In fact, she said, “That’s the worst idea you’ve ever had.” But then she asked, “Would that thing at least hold lip balm?”

That question changed everything.

I tested it—yes, it could. I built a few prototypes, refined them, and eventually launched a Kickstarter. It got funded. I ordered stamping tooling and 500 parts to start. And that’s how Cary was born.

So no, people still don’t want to carry spices around. But they do want a smart, beautiful way to carry their lip balm.

Thanks for reading,
Tallac House