Unless I've missed something, it takes about 20 seconds to make and sell 1 can, if you move from one step to the next as soon as possible (make 5 shavings, collect 5 shavings, add soup, start souper, sell can). Even if we cut that in half - the first 'automation' upgrade, at $35, or the first soup upgrade, at $30, means the first upgrade isn't earned until 10-12 minutes of playing.
Go play cookie clicker. Your first upgrade is available within 10 seconds. That's the 'hook' for the game. If you have to grind through 10 minutes to get a minor upgrade, you're going to lose everyone who tries your game.