What started as a 17-year-old hopping on a plane to France, turned into transforming a dream into reality and creating a positive impact on the North Texas community.
Driven by a passion for perfumery and community, Brennan Godoi from Colleyville found a way to blend his love for fragrances with his desire to create positive change. The result? Parfums de Brennan — a new luxury perfume brand. With its mission to craft captivating scents while empowering communities, Parfums de Brennan just launched its debut unisex fragrance, Pure Dreams.
In an act of philanthropy, 100% of the proceeds from Pure Dreams will support Johnathan’s Place, a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Johnathan’s Place offers safety, nurturing homes and brighter futures for children, teens and young adults who have faced abuse or neglect.
Local Profile recently talked to Godio about his work.
How did you first get involved in the world of fragrance?
When I was twelve, I broke one of my grandfather’s perfume bottles and accidentally discovered the rich scents of oud, amber and musk. That moment sparked a fascination with fragrances that quickly grew into a personal passion. I started collecting perfumes and experimenting with off-the-shelf kits, eventually creating my own blends.
How did your time in France influence your work?
Once you start learning about fragrances, you quickly realize that the French dominate the industry. They took the invention from the Greeks and Romans and developed a world-class industry around this product in the 17th century when they started using scents as a symbol of luxury and refinement. But even before that in the region of Provance, they were already creating fragrances when local tanneries were trying to make their leather products smell good.
"When I was twelve, I broke one of my grandfather’s perfume bottles and accidentally discovered the rich scents of oud, amber and musk."
That was the beginning of what is now considered the world capital of Perfume, Grasse. I was blessed to have been able to travel to Grasse to learn more about perfumery. I took a course at Galimard, one of the oldest perfume houses in the world, with one of their top noses, Jeanette Musso. That experience opened my eyes to the art and science of fragrance-making and inspired me to create my own line.
What is your personal go-to fragrance?
I have a large fragrance collection that I use frequently, but my all-time favorites are Angel’s Share By Kilian and Oud Satin Mood by Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Lately, I have been alternating between my own creation, Pure Dreams, and Giorgio Armani Absolu.
What is something everyone should know about perfume?
Many people believe that 'perfume' is for women and 'cologne' is for men, but this is a misconception. These terms actually refer to the concentration of fragrance oils in the bottle, not gender. For instance, my perfume has the highest concentration and would be classified as extrait de parfum, or simply parfum. In reality, all fragrances are unisex. Marketing strategies have shaped our perception, associating certain scents with gender to target specific consumers — like oud, wood and musk for men, and rose, patchouli and amber for women. When a man hesitates to buy a rose fragrance, it's often due to narratives crafted by companies to drive profits, not because scent itself has a gender.
Our brains have been conditioned to accept these narratives as truth. My suggestion for your next fragrance shopping experience is to select three or four different bottles and ask the salesperson to provide samples without revealing which bottle each scent came from. This approach gives you the best chance to experience and process each fragrance without preconceived bias.
Why is scent meaningful to you?
Scent evokes memories of people and places, much like photographs do. However, olfactory cues are uniquely powerful. Research shows that scents travel a direct path to the emotional and memory centers of our brains, while other sensations, like visuals, take longer to process. This makes scent a deeply evocative experience, bringing a sense of comfort and excitement when tied to a person or memory. For instance, Dolce & Gabbana reminds me of the summer of '22, while Versace Eros Flame brings back memories of my cousins visiting from New Orleans. Scents have a unique ability to transport us to meaningful moments, making them profound reminders of our connections and experiences.
Where did the idea of giving back to the community come from?
It was after a trip to visit family in Brazil a few years ago that I really noticed the lack of government support for abandoned children. This had a profound impact on me. I was deeply saddened, and at the same time, motivated to do something. I just wasn’t quite sure how. The truth is that little did I know that we had similar issues in our own country and in our own community. How could that be? Not only are we the richest country in the world, but we live in Texas, one of the richest states in the union and yet, we still find similar issues with minimal to average support from our state government. Non-profits have to step up to pick up the slack with very little help from the state. This is where groups like Jonathan’s Place come in. They do an amazing job with these kids. All of it with private donations for our amazing North Texas community.
"Scent evokes memories of people and places, much like photographs do."
This is when I decided that I had to try to do something about it. I started by volunteering. I spent some time at Jonathan’s place and completely fell in love with their mission. Every child deserves a chance. I have been blessed to be born into an amazing loving multicultural family that has supported me my whole life. I wish every child had that experience. Just volunteering wasn’t good enough. I felt like I had to do more. That is when I made the decision to combine my passion for Fragrances with my desire to become a force for good in my community. The decision was easy.
How do you choose charities to give back to?
I have always had a soft spot for causes that support children. Over the past few years, I’ve volunteered at various churches and organizations, all of which have reinforced my commitment to giving back. When I began volunteering at Jonathan’s Place, I was deeply moved by their mission and the profound impact they have on the lives of children. Seeing firsthand the difference Jonathan’s Place makes solidified my decision to support them with my first fragrance. It’s an honor to give back to an organization that aligns so closely with my values, especially one that offers the kind of support every child deserves.
What does the North Texas community mean to you?
North Texas is home — it’s where I grew up, where my immediate family and friends are and where so many of my most meaningful memories were made. I love the warmth and generosity of this community, but I also know it faces challenges. Traveling to visit family around the world — in places like Spain, Italy, Brazil, and Switzerland — has broadened my perspective. I’ve come to realize that every place has its strengths and struggles, and in each of these places, I’ve met incredible people committed to uplifting their communities. North Texas has given me so much, and if I can contribute here in a way that makes a difference, that’s exactly what I aim to do.
What projects are you currently working on?
On the business side, I’m focused on spreading the word about my fragrance line and Pure Dreams, but I’m also brainstorming ideas for the next release, possibly with a new twist. On a personal note, I’m finishing up my senior year and looking forward to starting the next chapter in my life at university, where I hope to keep growing my brand and my commitment to community work.
Pure Dreams can be purchased for $139, here.
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