3 Brothers Start Candle Business to Pay for Toys, End Up Helping the Homeless

Collin, 13, Ryan, 11, and Austin Gill, 8, were encouraged by their parents to start a business.

Three brothers initially started a candle business to help pay for video games and toys, but now they are giving back to the community in a big way.

Collin, 13, Ryan, 11, and Austin Gill, 8, were encouraged by their parents to start a business if they wanted to have the money for the things they desired. So they did. 

“We asked our mom what her favorite thing to buy [is] ... she said bath bombs, but there was too much chemicals and there's a lot of process, so the next thing she said was candles,” Ryan told InsideEdition.com.

The boys’ mom, Celena Gill, took a candle-making class to help teach the boys how to do so. 

“She taught us, so then we started testing each candle,” Collin explained. “It took a couple weeks to get a good formula and once we started selling, we almost sold out the first vending event we had.”

The boys named their business “Frères Branchiaux,” which is “Gill brothers” in French.  

They make all of the candles in their home in Indian Head, Maryland. Since they began two years ago, the boys have sold more than 10,000 candles. That’s more than enough for all the video games they want, so the brothers are now also giving back to shelters in their community with their profits. 

“I have a big heart and I always love helping others and helping the ones in need,” Ryan said. “Our mom asked how we want to give back.”   

They now donate 10% to homeless shelters in the Washington, D.C., area. 

“I’m just really proud of what they've done,” Gill said. “We've have gone from just a small side hobby to a full-blown family business.”

The brothers hope to expand their business soon with a candle truck. Their plan is to employ the homeless and create jobs through the truck as well.

“They have been really invested and being a part of a community will inspire kids to do the same thing,” Gill added. 

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