Eco-Friendly Living, One Flame at a Time with Gluttony Candles & Earnest John Honest Goods
Building a brand isn’t just about selling a product—it’s about standing for something. When we first set out on this wild small-business adventure, there was a non-negotiable list of values we held dear to the product we created. Sustainability. Eco-friendliness. Clean burning. Long-lasting. And, of course, reuse, repurpose, recycle—something that, quite frankly, Ireland does far better than the U.S.
It’s always a shock when I return home and see just how deeply ingrained recycling and sustainability are at every level. I started recycling as a teenager because that’s just what we did—it wasn’t an option, it was a way of life. And yet, here we are, in the largest economy in the world, still figuring out how to separate glass from plastic.
Over the Fence and Into Business—How a Backyard Chat Sparked a Partnership
But I digress. Today, we’re talking about partnerships—specifically, one that started over a backyard fence in a very Home Improvement/Wilson-giving-Tim-wise-words kind of way. Picture this: a warm Texas evening, our former next-door neighbor burning our Orange Chili Pepper candle, and a curious guest stopping by—none other than Carley Seale. She commented on the scent, the conversation started, and before you know it, Gluttony Candles found a home in Favor the Kind (formerly Gypsy Wagon) stores in Dallas, Houston, and Crested Butte.
Now, let’s be real—partnerships in retail can be a bit like romantic relationships. Some last forever, some fizzle out, and some take a break only to come back stronger. Our run with Favor the Kind was fantastic, but retail is an ever-changing beast. We knew going in that the candle market is about as saturated as a pub on St. Patrick’s Day, and keeping inventory fresh means rotating in new products. No hard feelings, just the nature of the game. But sometimes, a spark reignites, and we get lit all over again. After all, *“Change is inevitable. Progress is optional.”
Earnest John Honest Goods: Lighting the Way to Sustainability in Retail
Fast forward to 2024, and Carley reached out again—this time with a new venture, Earnest John Honest Goods. If you haven’t been, you need to go. No, seriously. It’s the dream store for everyone who wants to live more sustainably but keeps hitting a wall of inconvenience. It’s practical, accessible, and champions the same values we’ve always held dear: cutting down on plastic use, making sustainability achievable, and ensuring ethical sourcing. They’re not just talking about making a difference—they’re lighting the way forward to sustainability for their community and beyond.
And that’s why we’re so proud to be part of it. Because building a brand isn’t just about looking back—it’s about looking forward. It’s about thinking beyond ourselves, about what we leave behind for future generations. Now, we may not have kids of my own, but we’ve got nieces, nephews, friends’ kids, neighbors’ kids, kids in our community, kids in Ireland, kids all over the world—and we want better for them. We should want better for them. After all, **“Success is not just about what you accomplish in your life, it’s about what you inspire others to do.” So let’s start lighting a fire under ourselves and make small changes that build into lifelong habits.
"Were You Born in a Field?" Simple Ways to Save Energy (and Your Sanity)
Want to start living more sustainably but not sure where to begin? Here are a few easy (and very Irish) ways to get started:
Turn off the lights! If you grew up in a big Irish family, you’ve heard this one before: "Are we lighting up the whole parish?" or "Were you born in a field?" If you're not in the room, the light doesn’t need to be on. Simple.
Close the door! Whether it was to keep the heat in or the cold out, your mother probably spent half her life shouting, "You’d swear you were raised in a barn!" Turns out, she was right—small energy-saving habits add up.
Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. You don’t need the Niagara Falls running while you scrub your pearly whites. A tap left running wastes up to 4 gallons of water a minute!
Line dry your clothes. It might not be possible for everyone, but fresh air and sunshine are free—and nothing smells better than clothes dried in the breeze. Plus, dryers are energy guzzlers.
Buy secondhand. Thrift shops aren’t just for your granny’s old curtains. Buying secondhand clothing and household goods reduces waste and keeps perfectly good items out of landfills.
Repurpose and upcycle. Before tossing something out, ask yourself if it can be reused in a creative way. Glass jars make excellent storage containers (or, you know, candle holders!).
Shop local and support small businesses. Farmer’s markets and independent shops are often more eco-friendly and keep your money within the community.
Be mindful of energy use. Unplug electronics when they’re not in use, switch to LED bulbs (bonus: they last longer!), and use energy-efficient appliances.
Let’s Get Lit—The Bright Idea Behind Sustainable Candles
And if you’re wondering just how much of an impact we’re making, consider this:
The average American generates 4.9 pounds of waste per day—most of which ends up in landfills.
Plastic takes up to 500 years to decompose. That single-use water bottle you grabbed? It’ll still be here long after we’re gone.
The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions—more than all international flights and shipping combined.
Lighting a Fire (Under Ourselves) for a Greener Future
So, what can you do? Support local. Visit small businesses. Chat with vendors at your farmers’ market. Ask them their story—it’s always worth listening to. As Simon Sinek said, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” And nothing changes if nothing changes. So be the change. Light the way. And while you’re at it, light a candle—it might just start a conversation that leads to something even bigger.
Let’s Light the Way—Together!
Are you a retailer looking to bring something unique to your shelves? We love collaborating with like-minded businesses that share our passion for sustainability, craftsmanship, and great scents. Whether you want to stock Gluttony Candles or create a custom-branded candle line for your store, we’re here to help.
Let’s chat and see how we can light the way to sustainability together! Reach out to us and let’s make something incredible.
*Tony Robbins: Unlimited
**Stephen Bartlet: The Diary of a CEO
Simon Sinek: Start with Why
Comments