Photo: Frères
Do you remember what you were doing when you were between the ages of 8-13? Well D.C. brothers, Austin (8), Ryan (10), and Collin Gill (13) have been busy establishing a lucrative candle and home fragrance company that was recently selected as a featured up and coming start up product at select Macy’s department stores nationwide.
A simple "no" from their parents to increase their allowance so they could have extra money to buy new toys and video games, planted a seed for the brothers to not only get a job, but to start a business of their own. In addition, the compassionate trio also deemed it important to contribute some of their proceeds to aid D.C.s homeless population. As a result, upon starting their company in 2017, they promised to always donate 10 percent of their proceeds to D.C. area homeless shelters and currently continue to do so as the brand evolves.
“It’s amazing and exciting at the same time,” the Gill brothers told the Atlanta Black Star in an emailed statement. "We work hard to achieve our dreams and our parents help us along the way. We love being able to give back while earning money. We are really thankful that other people have recognized our hard work and like our candles. Being selected to participate in The Market at Macy’s shows us that we can achieve the highest goals possible even while we are kids."
The Gill brothers’ forward-thinking home fragrance brand is called Frères Branchiaux, a unique French moniker that simply translates to “Gill Brothers.” According to the business website, the brand aims to "help savvy, eco-conscious consumers who want to beautify and enhance their environments with lush and unique fragrances that are non-toxic, organic, affordable luxury." The product line includes soy candles, room sprays, diffusers, and soaps. All products are made with organic ingredients and hand poured and packaged by the company’s three young entrepreneurs. Products are also made in small batches with attention to all details and care.
After securing an extremely supportive local following, Frères Branchiaux was recently selected from thousands of other startup businesses to be featured in the "Market at Macy’s" small business "pop up" program sponsored by Facebook. Brand products are now available for purchase in Macy’s stores in San Francisco (Hillsdale), New York City (Herald Square), and Pittsburgh (Ross Park). The brothers have also collaborated with retail AceHardware and ModCloth for other special events as their brand recognition increased.
You can keep up with the Gill Brothers and their budding empire via Instagram and Facebook.