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
19 б)) 3 гРазрабатывается историческая справка, которая прилагается к делу, и описи.Сроки передачи документов устанавливает Госархив — индивидуально чтобы каждого случая. С того момента, если банкротство организации вступает в заключительную стадию (филиппика соглашаться о конкурсном производстве), управляющий получает 6 месяцев на т, дабы обработать документы и доставить их на хранение. Потреблять известный нюанс: передача архива конкурсным управляющим быть банкротстве предприятия производится не в любой казенный архив, а в тот, к которому относится дело, учитывая его последний юридический адрес. В случае, буде документы не были переданы для хранения сиречь в процессе передачи были допущены грубые ошибки, действие ликвидации довольно считаться незавершенной.
депозитарное хранение
[url=https://sferar.ru/]архивы города москвы[/url]
https://sferar.ru/unichtozhenie-dokumentov/ – уничтожение архивных документов цена
Электронные документы покуда нельзя сохранять в статусе оригинала в ход постоянного срока хранения, к тому же архивы организаций и гос- и муниципальные архивы в абсолютном большинстве не имеют соответствующего программно-аппаратного обеспечения и специализированных информационных архивных систем2019 № 236) Перемена сроков хранения документов сообразно процессам ДОУ Службам делопроизводства рекомендуем внимательно выучить число статей подраздела 1Но документальный фонд каждой организации индивидуален, и службам делопроизводства надо сам продолжить разложение нового Перечня, чтобы внести постоянно необходимые изменения в номенклатуру дел на 2020 год
:)[url=https://oglasi.ru/]:)[/url]:)
mariska porno [url=https://passport-visa.com.ua/]porno от первого лица[/url] porno tracker
Раскрутка саи?та, с чего начать? Практические советы чтобы продвижения 2021-01-30 08-24-34Личный вече: не злоупотребляйте сменой названий и аватаров. В ближайшее век Instagram обещает выкатить обновление, в котором довольно отображаться статистика, вдруг зачастую вы меняет эти элементы профиля. Истинно и вместе, работа с брендом и однако такое…Оптимальная формула: 1 отдел (3 менеджера и 1 РОП) + 2 отдел (3 менеджера и 1 РОП) + … n отдел (3 менеджера и 1 РОП)
настройка контекстной рекламы
[url=https://spb.skgroups.ru/context.html]контекстная реклама яндекс[/url]
https://spb.skgroups.ru/ecomerce.html – разработка интернет магазина
Проработаны ли индикаторы KPI?Чистый же все остальные?мифы о SMM про бесплатное продвижение1. Знаете сайты конкурентов – смотрите ссылки на соцсети в шапке и подвале сайта 1. Поиск сайтов конкурентов по ключевым словам 1. Поиск профилей конкурентов сообразно ключевым словамSEOKlub Продвижение сайтов
https://jambory.co/news-feed/p/40083/ Google mobile tracker by imei, google mobile tracker map. What Can You Do With Spyier?. https://www.mojat.moenagy.dev/community/profile/mspy35081245/ Secretly spy on android phone, secretly spy on android phone. You’re spoilt for choice if you’re looking for a spy app for the Android platform. There are many great apps out there. We bring you the 10 best spy apps for Android 2021 in this article to make your search easier. http://yukisuperkingred.com.vn/forums/profile/mspy48685365/ Best automatic call recorder for samsung, best automatic call recorder. Phone Call Recorder – ACR 4+. http://svtcomics.redstainmedia.com/community/profile/mspy24006402/ Android monitoring for iPhone 12 mini, android monitoring for iphone se. Call Recorder from Lovekara is a simple but useful call recorder with a clean and stylish interface. Fire up the app, tap the three-dot icon and select Settings. http://54.148.214.159/community/profile/mspy35829340/ Iphone 6 spy app no jailbreak, iphone 6 ios 13 jailbreak. Block access to websites included inappropriate content like hate, violence, and porn. http://cridusa.com/community/profile/mspy34937467/ Best call recorder app for asus zenfone max pro m2, best call recorder for huawei mate 10. Location Tracking – Simplified and easy way to monitor the location and track the targeted Android device even when the GPS location service is inactive on the device. SMS and Calls Monitoring – Option to monitor all the incoming as well as outgoing SMS and phone calls including its detailed information like the phone number and timestamp. Keylogging – Keeps a log of all the inputs performed on the targeted Android device and sends the data to the secure Mobistealth web account, which can be accessed from anywhere remotely. Monitor Web Activity, Multimedia, and App List – Monitor web browsing activity, multimedia files like photos and videos as well as the list of apps that are installed on the device. https://escueladeciudadanos.com.mx/community/profile/mspy19765151/ Find my huawei device, find my phone android iphone. All of you that want an app working and recording both sides with the same level is Call Recorder Pro. Just try and give your feedback if it worked for you, it worked for me, good luck!. https://www.underwaterengineering.com/activity/p/82253/ Apps to monitor child’s iphone uk, apps to track other people’s phones. You installed Boldbeast from a third-party app store that grabbed the app from Google Play, and the file did not match your phone specification. You installed Boldbeast from a file your friend shared to you, and the file did not match your phone specification. You installed Boldbeast from Google Play but Google Play sent wrong files to your phone to install. https://www.theperformancecorner.com/activity/p/49697/ Track phone online using imei, track phone number malaysia. With an innovative user interface and features that make it feel like an app from a James Bond movie, you will definitely fall in love with Cocospy once you use it. https://purplesqueezerp.co.uk/community/profile/mspy43704923/ Jailbreak ios 13 with computer, jailbreak ios 13 free. Free parental control apps are an excellent way to manage the device usage of your kids. It is useful in monitoring the websites they visit, blocking payments, and limiting their screen time, among other things. The free apps listed above are some of the most effective in monitoring and controlling the behavior and activities of kids. https://admitportal.asucollegeoflaw.com/activity/p/83445/ Whatsapp sniffer & spy tool 2016 apk ios, whatsapp sniffer and spy tool 2016 android download. The most commonly used parental control features on Spyic are:. https://www.klipinterest.com/activity/p/98915/ Call recorder samsung a 50, call recorder scr. Internet and phone geolocation can also be performed by combining a geographic location with the IP Adress (It can include information: Country, region, city, time zone and other encrypted data.). https://pryrodna.com/community/profile/mspy28131308/ Line tracking for Sony Xperia Z3, line tracking for iphone 12 mini. No, the best spy apps that I have mentioned can spy on an iPhone without needing to spy on it. https://all-afloat.wales/activity/p/94174/ Automatic call recorder pro 5.15 apk, automatic call recorder low volume. Wrapping Up. https://packlisten-online.de/community/profile/mspy36704345/ Find my friends ios upgrade, find my iphone missing ios 13. 5. Call Recorder Automatic. http://aduanasjimenez.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/8 http://joywebstudio.com/index.php/component/k2/item/6 odifgqkebter