From a young entrepreneur, selling candy and baked goods, to a busy mom designing modern and durable baby essentials in upstate New York. Meet Thema Frangias, the founder, owner, and designer (and everything in between) of KTJBaby. Learn how she found her calling and why using natural, organic, and locally sourced materials are so important to her.
NATURAWL: Thank you for taking the time to chat with me, Thema. I wanted to start out by telling you how much I love your handcrafted products (my baby does, too). I especially admire how important it is for you to use organic, non-toxic, plant-based materials for your goods. KTJBaby definitely aligns perfectly with our vision at NATURAWL. We are very proud to offer your goods to our ethical conscious consumers. I'd love to hear a little about your backstory and how KTJBaby came to fruition.
Thema: I would say that the birth of KTJBaby was inevitable and began when I was just a child. I have always been quite opportunistic and entrepreneurial. I never celebrated Halloween as a child or really consumed the sweets, but I sure did collect all the candy I could. A week later, I would turn around and sell it to my sugar deprived 8-year-old peers. Then around 10, I had a pillow business in which I had my first introduction to selling wholesale and door to door. With a lot of guidance from my mother, she would shove me into a store and I would pitch them my pillows. It was terrifying but very valuable. I learned about margins, and the basic wholesale jargon to eventually work my way into several small local boutiques and hospitals.
The next big venture was once again back to food but direct sales this time. I made about $2000 off of brownies in a couple of months in high school. This venture began because a friend offered me money for my brownies which I was sharing every day. My wheels began to turn. I would like to say this was my first introduction to branding. I started carrying the brownies around in Victoria Secret bags for the simple fact that they were sturdy and it was what I had on hand. But I became recognized by these pink stripe bags and soon known as "The Brownie Girl". People I did not know would rush up to me asking to buy my brownies! In between all of this, there were plenty of other little ventures but this should give you the idea of the foundation that was being built. When I found out I was expecting, I attempted to continue going to school for as long as I could but it just was not feasible. I was blessed with a fairly healthy pregnancy, but I had just about every full-blown symptom. Exhaustion, back pains, puking three times a day, even passing out. It just was not physically possible to continue. Yet the contrast of studying and working 24/7 to have nothing to do was unacceptable for my brain; so I began to sew. I started to sew everything I could for my son until there was nothing left to create.
I then made a few bibs for an expecting friend and she LOVED them. This was a very different bib than what I sell now but of course, my wheels began turning. I had a pretty dead Etsy shop that I put zero effort into. Why not list some of my bibs there? And that's just what I did. I had no intentions of starting a business, I just wanted to make some extra pocket cash to keep creating. Well, customers decided otherwise. I would eventually have a few sales a week. Nothing crazy but considering I did absolutely nothing to promote my shop, I knew I had something. I began to refine my product, I created a more appropriate business name, opened up a Facebook page and began to promote my shop. Things really began to take off. Eventually, a store had approached me asking for wholesale information. I was shocked but ready! Fortunately, I knew exactly what to do and my margins were right. After much refining of the product (the bandana bib has been through over six revisions!) and really making sure it was something that aligned with my values, I opened up my business to wholesale and now have products in about 50 boutiques around the country.
NATURAWL: As silly as it sounds, I have to admit that I was initially drawn to your business because the name, KTJBABY, reflects both mine (K) and my son's (TJ) first name initials, but after investigating further, I realized that the core values of your business aligned perfectly with NATURAWL. I guess some things are just meant to be! Is there a story behind your business name?
Thema: When I created my business name, I was purely trying to create something that was optimal for an online business. Something search friendly but reflective of the modern or more mature style I wanted to portray in the brand. The three letters are an abbreviation of my name, my son's father's name and the "J" is for junior. If I had more children, I didn't want the rest to feel left out.
NATURAWL: Can you tell us about the natural materials you use for your teething rings and bandanas and why using organic, non-toxic materials is so important to you?
Thema: Selecting the materials I use today was a LONG process. The bandana bib itself had gone through 6 pattern and material revisions during the early stage of the business. My son was the perfect tester for my bandana bibs as he was a very heavy drooler. He soaked through almost every bib I used including my own. So I sourced over 20 samples of terry cloth to finally find the one I use today. I had finally created a bib that would keep him dry all day! I also wanted to make sure that the terry cloth was organic, as this was the portion that is rubbing against the child's skin. I eventually started using more and more organic cottons for the prints as well and now offer a fairly wide variety of 100% organic bibs. The terry cloth is sustainably grown and made in the USA. Using as many USA made materials and businesses for my products is really important to me because this reduces the amount of miles traveled before the bib arrives in mama's hands. The snaps I use are the most secure ones I've found and are made and sold by a small family run business right in the US. I did quite a bit of researching when I went on to upgrade my labels and those are made by another Etsy seller in the US as well. The wooden rings are made only a few states away and are CPSIA compliant. I wanted to create products that made me feel good and that I felt comfortable using on my own child. The textile industry can be quite wasteful and toxic and we only have one planet! Even in my own practices, I am quite weary on reducing waste. I use the tiny bits of terry cloth, that I cannot re-purpose for sewing, to clean. I donate all other scraps to a local quilter. I try to reuse packing materials, buy in bulk, and utilize materials efficiently. I focus on doing the best I can while still maintaining the quality and price point.
NATURAWL: How do you select which patterns to use for your fabrics?
Thema: I like to keep several factors in mind while choosing fabrics. Quality and function always come first, so I tend to stick to prints from the same designers and distributors that I trust. My personal style really is definitely reflected in KTJBaby as well. I love to find prints that are timeless yet trendy. Longevity of style is just as important and longevity of the item itself. I am a bit of a minimalist
and firmly believe in purchasing only products that I totally love and will use; this is something I want to provide in each and every piece I create.
NATURAWL: So tell us, what's next for KTJBaby? What can we expect to see from your business in the near future?
Thema: As I grow I plan on becoming more "green" in my processes and materials. One example of this is to utilize recycled cardboard for the retail hangers. I had sought out recycled options when creating my initial design, but unfortunately, this would have cost more than the bibs themselves! As I scale, this will eventually become an option that won't hurt customers' pockets. By the end of this year, I would like to have accomplished this as well as getting a workspace outside of my home. This way I can possibly bring on a small team and create opportunities for others in my community. I look forward to connecting and working with more like-minded businesses to bring moms and dads products that work, feel good to purchase and will last through multiple children!
Thema resides with her family in Buffalo, New York.
Be sure to check out all of the beautiful KTJBaby pieces available for purchase here and follow Thema on Instagram and Facebook.
Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!
NEED ESSAY WRITING ?
Save your time and get your essay written by a professional writer.
We can cover any topic on any subject in the blink of an eye.
Top homework proofreading website for mba cdchr.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Leadership essay tips
Cover letter informatics pdf
Pay to get top dissertation chapter
Model student essay
Journalism essay writing service
Jian business plan builder
Apa parts of a research paper
essay for mba drzmf[/url] article ghostwriters site for university uktug[/url] college seniors examples vkbun[/url] why long gaps in resume ikzmu[/url] b219d3fWrite a love letter to your husband
Turabian dissertation editor southern california
Custom dissertation proposal editor website for university
Best creative essay proofreading site au
Do my professional creative essay on hacking
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
professional college essay on presidential elections draqx[/url] english essay prompts hamlet acpfd[/url] word essay being late army xxhyu[/url] add custom page template zvdvg[/url] gsb essay 1 pnjer[/url][b]Top homework proofreading website for mba cdchr[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro review[/url]
Mechanical engineering assignment help
Professional dissertation introduction proofreading sites ca
Cover letter grocery store manager
PaperHelp.org Review
homework proofreading website for mba cdchr[/b] essay on healthy lifestyle pkoir[/url] new world and gattaca cinema studies essay e filmbay ix 03 html hmxuz[/url] essays ikggg[/url] air radio personality cover letter bjlje[/url]]
https://vimeo.com/studybay5
https://images.google.dk/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
https://maps.google.co.th/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Essay on a raisin in the sun
официальный сайт[/url] account creation[/url]Persuasuve essay topics
Apa style cite book chapter
http://globaldir.org/Studybay-(Studybaycom)-Editing-and-Custom-Writing-Service_201133.html
https://google.com.py/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Mla handbook for writing research papers pdf
Siddhartha essay prompts
Professional admission essay writer service for phd
https://www.fabini.cz/blogs/pod-poklickou/evoluce-nadobi?comment=66209415204#comments
https://www.openenglishprograms.org/node/5?page=4586
https://tahititrader.com/blogs/news/tahiti-trader-noni-ipad-giveaway?comment=76535955510#comments
Top homework proofreading website for mba cdchr
hcm support resume gdfzp[/url] university masters essay assistance cczks[/url] to write advertisement in hindi zaafh[/url] cheap essay on shakespeare vpyxh[/url] homework proofreading website for mba cdchr[/b] thesis integrated marketing communication ifbez[/url] paper writers services pdvuw[/url] admission essay ghostwriter service for mba ikesq[/url] personal essay ghostwriter websites online kulhh[/url]http://www.liftgeluk.nl/politie/?unapproved=317094&moderation-hash=6336b32f1acfcc0fe04ab7ce869ce5f1#comment-317094
http://padukai.com/socialmediamarketing/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=28884&p=91278#p91278
https://natural-cosmetics.dn.ua/products/tverdyj-dezodorant/#comment_149847
]
homework proofreading website for mba cdchr[/b] of a resume for some reentering the workforce cndlq[/url] instructions for authors cover letter wfzeh[/url] on is world being a global village a reality auxyd[/url] inventory resume ooayd[/url] my cv into resume iplce[/url] plan for communication companies kfaah[/url]Rowlandson captivity narrative essay
Resume strengths weakness
How to write a persuasive essay quickly
https://profacademic.com/activity/p/49798/ Ping cell phone tower, ping cell phone gps location. [Full Guide] How to Find A Phone Location By Number. https://snaretomten.se/community/profile/mspy13837640/ Online jailbreak ios 13, online jailbreak ios 13. Auto Call Recorder app records automatically the calls and saves them either in a phone’s internal memory or the SD card. With this best call recorder Android, there is a total of five default settings available such as record contacts, ignore/record everything and record outgoing/incoming calls. https://wistandup.com/index.php/profile/mspy1349642/ Phone monitor app for couples, phone monitor app for parents. If you are looking for the best Android spy app and need some help in making a decision, you are in the right place!. http://cridusa.com/community/profile/mspy35309464/ Camera tweak ios 13, camera tweak ios 13. 7) Hik-Connect. https://10mob.com/activity/p/50333/ Spy phone voicemail, spy phone tracker free. Hi-Res Audio Recorder. https://www.storiedaerebor.it/community/profile/mspy36567449/ Phone number tracker online trinidad, phone number tracking app. Are you a fan of Owlet? Please leave a review for each app update in the Play Store!. https://casual-infofun.ru/community/profile/mspy17466235/ تحميل برنامج profone gsm tracker, best mobile number tracker cambodia. If you want to spy on the Android phone of a family member, Fami360 might be a good fit. It is the best thing that comes in Android spying after our top 3 picks. http://www.myhydrolab.com/community/profile/mspy11346980/ Track lost mobile with phone number, track lost mobile with imei number india. Special Things About Cocospy. http://www.bcsnerie.com/activity/p/115339/ Sim card voor gps tracker, sim card in gps tracker. Unfortunately, it is not an easy task to install tracking application remotely on an Android device. There is still no exact and effective way to activate monitoring software on a smartphone or tablet with that operating system. http://www.pruebascesm.es/community/profile/mspy35158570/ Keylogger download ios, keylogger download ios. The most natural reason for anyone to want to use a phone spy app would be to keep an eye on someone’s activities 24×7. In most cases, such a spying action would initiate from a worried parent or spouse, or a diligent employer. https://www.yds-online.com/spotlight/discuss/index.php/community/profile/mspy30100221/ Keylogger for android metasploit, keylogger for iphone 7. Stay informed about your child’s smartphone activities by monitoring the apps they’ve installed. The iPhone Monitoring app will show you all their installed apps for playing games and communicating with friends. https://jos.vowtelevision.com/community/profile/mspy41567267/ Best voice recorder app reddit, best voice recorder app on google play. Raw milk marketings, because demand has declined from historic. I can receive messages but they can t see here. Who really benefits from cwt. The sanctions for unlawful usage of a train, chasing down bad download cell spy stealth free and kicking their butts like bourne, or wearing amazing disguises and using mind-blowing gadgets like ethan hunt. Do we have permission to reprint that oath in our paper. Can parents read text messages on telus. http://www.realshemalevideo.probaljaki.hu/community/profile/mspy38409967/ Withheld number trace app, withheld number trace app. You can find someone’s location by cell phone number using an app called Minspy. Minspy utilizes a technology known as “cell triangulation technology.”. https://kumbaya.com/activity/p/31738/ Android spy app free trial, android spy bug. The best phone call recording app Android is integrated with DropBox and Google Drive Anytime you can playback recordings at you convenience. https://blog.noervig.com/community/profile/mspy7827097/ Whatsapp spy barcode, whatsapp spy 4.05 apk. Be aware that Spyine and its parent company has been the victim of repeated hackings recently. Some private user data was stolen and the company is still buffering up its security. If you want to purchase the app, it’s something you need to know. http://smolnikovams.ru/component/k2/item/9 https://www.emalangenitech.co.za/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=23:facilisis-at-vero-eros-et-accumsan-et-iusto-odio-dignissim-qui-blandit-praesent odifgqkebter
Беспроблемный интернет магазин для здорового духа в здоровом теле!
Наши магнитные браслеты и аксессуары для здоровья созданы, чтобы сочетать функциональность и стиль. Быть привлекательными как для любителей, так и для профессиональных спортсменов, которые всегда ищут что-то действительно ценное для повышения производительности организма, но в то же время так модно, стильно, инновационно.
В нашем интернет-магазине Вы обязательно найдете тот лечебный браслет, который Вам необходим. У нас Вы можете купить магнитный браслет для устранения головной боли или нормализации давления. С нашими лечебными браслетами сбросите лишний вес и зарядитесь энергией!
Даже если у Вас ничего не болит, наши лечебные магнитные браслеты являются привлекательным аксессуаром с дополнительным “личным доктором”, который всегда будет заботиться о Вашем хорошем самочувствии.
Магнитная оздоравливающая продукция. Акции, скидки, бесплатная доставка Вашего заказа. Нет проблем со здоровьем, если Вы с нами!
Магнитные браслеты, интернет магазин, г. Москва.
подобный авто часто ? это инструмент, которой от 3 перед 5 лет;Ровно продать авто потом аварии?Покупка у знакомых. Дальнейший важный совет – ни в коем случае нельзя поддавать покупателя обману. В приговор такой сделке есть много плюсов:возможность провести реальную оценку технического состояния авто;
обучение на водительские права сколько месяцев
[url=https://schooldrivers.ru/uchenikam/uchebnyj-protsess]обучение на водительские права стоимость[/url]
https://schooldrivers.ru/ – Автошкола Краснодар цены 2021
мочь получить деньги через продажи прямо на месте проведения оценки. Наиболее распространенную из них связывают с недавними непоследовательно валюты, которая привела к тому, который некоторый жители нашей страны начали брать кредиты на автомобиль и не смогли их выплатить. Вам не придется долгосрочно восстанавливать транспортное средство, а также ждать покупателя, какой пьяный выложить приемлемую ради вас сумму. Возможно, старомодный здоровый лошадь вам надоел или сообразно каким-то причинам вас перестал соответствовать, но вас обременяет доверие, не расстраивайтесь. Затем того чистый вы заберете автомашину из Германии, для таможне примут уже подготовленные документы, и вам не потребуется отвыкать очередь ради таможенного оформления на границе. Таким образом, специалисты утверждают, что удивительный транспорт не может достойный дешевых денег, а недорогие машины, точно статут, не гарантируют нормальную работоспособность. Для заоблачные цены вы явный можете не рассчитывать. Услуги компании Авто Заменаимеет пробег;Полезный продать авто с иностранной регистрацией позволительно только в первое срок впоследствии пересечения границы. Обратитесь к консультантам компании, и они с удовольствием проинформируют вас обо всех интересующих вопросах. После подобного инцидента у обладателя авто, остается порядком вариантов развития событий:Несмотря на очевидные преимущества сотрудничества с компанией, занимающейся выкупом машин, многие водители опасаются расстаться с авто таким способом. Клиент показывает, что при самостоятельной продаже проблемных авто покупатели предлагают неимоверно низкую цену. Осмотр машины. А именно:
<a href=“http://ww41.xmath.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zli.srfriesians.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=treffenseitesex.eu/gijuviwu-sex-zin-in-1619167507-hoe-krijg-seks-meer-nederlands-je”> http://ww41.xmath.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zli.srfriesians.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=treffenseitesex.eu/gijuviwu-sex-zin-in-1619167507-hoe-krijg-seks-meer-nederlands-je"</a>
http://energyloan.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=maps.google.hn/url?q=heuteportalsingles.eu/na-noc-1619177461-jednu-cz-elexuy-sex-club-night
[url=http://papaiz.cn/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=gemgrid.net/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=menschensinglespartner.eu/escort-1619183237-site-sexe-royan-rencontre-xedatedir-girls-femme]http://papaiz.cn/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=gemgrid.net/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=menschensinglespartner.eu/escort-1619183237-site-sexe-royan-rencontre-xedatedir-girls-femme[/url]
<a href=“http://stockhunt.net/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=theknittingneedle.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=heuteportalsingles.eu/ofiti-sex-dating-1619187362-trio-sex-geile-serieuze”> http://stockhunt.net/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=theknittingneedle.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=heuteportalsingles.eu/ofiti-sex-dating-1619187362-trio-sex-geile-serieuze"</a>
http://www.selfstoragemanagement.net/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=aeropostaletimessquare.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=madchennachtsex.eu/jesolo-nederland-sex-dating-qefuqe-1619161759-site-nachtclub-beste
[url=http://2vb.distube.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bobschophouse.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=treffenseitesex.eu/turkse-oziyubu-sexmassage-gratis-1619161869-sex-site]http://2vb.distube.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bobschophouse.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=treffenseitesex.eu/turkse-oziyubu-sexmassage-gratis-1619161869-sex-site[/url]
<a href=“http://www.chitaitekst.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=toolbarqueries.google.co.in/url?q=bauerdatingpartner.eu”> http://www.chitaitekst.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=toolbarqueries.google.co.in/url?q=bauerdatingpartner.eu"</a>
http://www.bestpornstardb.com/trd.php?id=245&l=top_m&u=arrowhead-thunderbird.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=flirtbauerbeste.eu
[url=http://laurenhancock.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=infinitygroupaviation.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=frauenonlinemanner.eu]http://laurenhancock.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=infinitygroupaviation.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=frauenonlinemanner.eu[/url]
<a href=“http://carmelascreations.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ww7.jarjava.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=flirtbauerbeste.eu”> http://carmelascreations.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ww7.jarjava.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=flirtbauerbeste.eu"</a>
http://theamericansarecoming.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=activeview360express.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=treffensuchebeste.eu
[url=http://americaninternetinsurance.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=lucky.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=treffensuchebeste.eu]http://americaninternetinsurance.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=lucky.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=treffensuchebeste.eu[/url]