Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bryce Murphree. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Bryce thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea for our business can best be described as an evolution. Having some time off between chef jobs, my idle hands needed to find something to do. Fortunately, someone ( for the life of me I can’t remember who) gifted me a do it yourself soy candle kit. You know, the kind with some tins, some wicks, some wax, some fragrance oil, etc. No imagination, pretty much just add water. So I made some candles. Pretty easy process, I thought. Pretty simple, pretty easy , and pretty boring. I thought however, that I could take the process to another level by making my own fragrance oils, thus solving my need for chefly creativity. Obviously, my wife did not object. An avid candle lover, over the years she had been largely disappointed with the candles we had purchased. So where I had the idea for culinary inspired soy candles, she had the detailed checklist of what these candles must do. Long burn life, clean burn, scent intensity and longevity, sustainability, and so on. You name it, and I bet you it was on the requirement checklist. Research was done and experimentation ensued. Still, these candles were initially only for our consumption only. A period of refinement began and after several months, we decided to give some of our candles away as Christmas gifts for family, friends, and neighbors. When several of the candle recipients inquired about ordering these candles to give away as gifts of their own, we were floored, but more than happy to oblige. We thought we just might have something. Our candles were mostly culinary inspired scents. So we poured them in a soup can. A recycled soup can. We used 100 percent soy wax from 100 American soy beans. We used a wick that contained no hard metals like lead or zinc. We used the maximum amount of fragrance oil the wax would hold. We made candles that are unique in their concept and uniquely branded.

Bryce, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

When we started our candle business it was more for us than it was for others. Once we got started however a new mission ensued. It became about making a candle that was eco-friendly, sustainable, clean burning and all natural. We were surprised by some of the harmful materials that we were discovering could be in the candles of our past and as a customer purchasing ourselves. With this in mind we researched the best ingredients we could find to fulfill the requirements that were important to us. All natural soy wax was not only sustainable but also a slower burning material. We found an eco series wick (Cotton wrapped in vegetable paper) to ensure there was no harsh metals such as zinc or lead – this also gave a cleaner burn and ensured that there was no heavy plumes of black smoke. What many customers didn’t realize is those that thought they were allergic to scent, candles or just scent sensitive had more to do with the type of wick that was in other candles. The food can seemed like a logical vessel given the culinary scents that we made but it became so much more when we do ‘can drives’ – we have so many friends, neighbors and customers that save their used food cans for us. We love the community spirit it has developed amongst people we know. Recycle, reuse, repurpose has become an even bigger mantra for us as we grow year over year. Finally we wanted to ensure that our customers were gettin g value for their money. Our candles are in in 14oz food cans and have a burn life of 70-75 hours…no lie! Plus, we guarantee that the last burn will smell just the same as the first burn in scent by using the maximum amount of oil that the wax will hold. No skimping just a long lasting, clean burning, natural candle that makes Mother Nature happy in every way! Gluttony Candles…’so good one is never enough’ has now become a mantra instead of a tag line.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Farmers Markets, Pop-ups and Referrals. No one can sell your product better than the person making it. No one can tell your story other than you and the reason behind the business. We have an opportunity to meet each person we sell to at markets and talk about their favorite scent memory and speak to that. We have an opportunity to share how our candles are different & unique because of the ingredients and time we put in to each vessel…that means a lot! We also feel extremely lucky that our customers share our candles with friends, family members, co-workers and acquaintances.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process./

We do manufacture our culinary inspired soy candles. I did not know how to make candles until someone gave me a kit to make your own soy candles. it was a pretty simple process, but that would all change when I decided to make my own fragrance oils and set out to make a truly different candle. Much research and much trial and error ensued. I have always been a “maker” or “creator.” As a long time chef, I was already used to experimentation and trying new things. The candles became another extension of my culinary creativity and I tackled the candle development much the same way as a new restaurant opening or new menu roll-out. The most important lesson I learned along the way about making this particular product was -Test, Test, Test!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gluttonycandles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gluttonycandles/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GluttonyCandles
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/gluttonycandles
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gluttony-candles-dallas
• Other: Google search:https://g.page/r/Cfih6U-j2z5qEAE

Image Credits
Photo 1 & 2: Melissa Schneider – Hoola Hoops Boutique & Gifts, Keller TX Photo 3, 4 & 5 – Maggie Murphree Photo 6, 7 & 8: Jessica Turner – The Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate