Frerés Branchiaux Candle Co. is an award-winning artisanal candle company created and managed by the Gill brothers, Collin, 14, Ryan, 11, and Austin, 9. The business idea was born in October of 2017 when the Washington, D.C.-based Gill brothers wanted more allowance money to purchase video games. Their parents told them that they had maxed out their toy allowance and either “get a job or start a business.” They decided to start a business. Today, the Gill brothers make fragrant hand-poured candles and have even added accessories such as room sprays and diffusers to their popular line of collectible candles.
Rolling out spoke with the Gill brothers about their organic candle brand, Frerés Branchiaux Candle Co.
What was the driving force behind creating Frères Branchiaux Candle Co.?
Collin: We wanted to be independent. We wanted more money for toys, but our mom told us to get a job or start a business. We figured that we could make some extra money for toys, but we had no idea that we would end up in 40 stores in the U.S., an international store in Japan, and in Macy’s. We are inspired by our parents, our family, our friends, and our supporters.
What sets Frères Branchiaux Candle Co. apart from others on the market?
Ryan: What sets us apart is that not only do we want you to have great smelling, eco-friendly, and healthier environments with our products, we want to help people in need find healthier environments, safety and sustainability. It’s great to create a great product, but it’s even greater to help people to become greater.
Where did the name Frères Branchiaux Candle Co. come from?
Austin: Frères Branchiaux means Gill Brothers in French.
Collin: Before we were home-schooled, we attended a French immersion school. We wanted to name our company Gill Brothers Candle Co., but we googled Gill Brothers and there were many Gill Brothers businesses. Since the name was taken, we decided to translate Gill Brothers to French.
What is your favorite scent and why?
Collin: Black Leaves
I created this scent and it reminds me of walking on a brisk fall day watching the colored leaves falling from the trees.
Ryan: Lime Cotton
It smells like a really clean lemon-lime scent mixed with fresh laundry. And this is one of the first scents that I created.
Austin: Cherry Coco
Because it smells like cherry soda! And it is a candle scent that I made.
Why is it important for you all to donate a proceed of your profit to homeless shelters?
Ryan: We believe in giving back to our community. We have been helped so much in our community in everything that we do and we wanted to do something that would truly make a difference. By donating money monthly, we know that we are directly helping those in need with housing, food, clothing, and support services. We would want someone to help us if we were homeless. We are the “we” that we are looking for.
