Heritage
A house, in its own words
The story of Leland Francis begins with Dillon Peña, a native of Oklahoma who grew up on a family farm. In 2015 he launched a small candle line that used only pure essential oils sourced from regional growers. The early candles were poured by hand in a modest studio, and word of mouth helped the brand gain a loyal following among people who valued transparency and simplicity. By 2017 the candle range expanded to include seasonal scents, and the company began experimenting with perfume‑grade ingredients while keeping the same natural‑only ethos. The first fragrance collection arrived in 2022, introducing Dirt Roads, Stoner, La Reina, El Santo, 109 and other compositions that referenced rural landscapes and personal memories. 2023 saw the release of Cowboy and Cowgirl, two gender‑fluid scents that blended smoky woods with bright citrus. In 2024 Leland Francis added Picnic, a bright, herbaceous fragrance designed for outdoor gatherings, and in 2025 the brand launched Pomelo Sensual, a citrus‑forward scent that highlighted the versatility of whole‑fruit extracts. Throughout its first decade the company has remained rooted in Oklahoma values, supporting local farms, using recyclable packaging and maintaining a small‑batch production model. The ten‑year anniversary in 2025 was marked by a limited‑edition candle that celebrated the brand’s journey from a garage operation to a nationally recognized natural fragrance house. Leland Francis frames its creative work as a dialogue with nature rather than a laboratory experiment. The brand believes that a fragrance should be an honest expression of the ingredients it contains, which is why it avoids any synthetic aroma chemicals or parfum bases. Each scent is built around whole‑plant extracts, allowing the natural chemistry of the material to guide the composition. Sustainability informs every decision, from sourcing botanicals from certified organic farms in the Midwest to using recycled glass for bottles and biodegradable labels. The company also emphasizes community, often collaborating with local artisans for packaging and donating a portion of sales to land‑conservation projects in Oklahoma. Transparency is a core value; ingredient lists are published in full on the website, and the brand invites customers to ask questions about sourcing or production methods. This approach reflects a broader desire to make natural perfumery accessible without sacrificing complexity or depth.