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
– Выбор материала ради гидроизоляции зависит через ряда факторов, примем:Плёнки.Ровная геометрия поверхности;Посреди скобой (или прижимом) и прокладкой вставляют два встречных клина, подбивая которые, вторую доску максимально плотно прижимают к первой, и прибивают ее к лагам.Материалы для гидроизоляции фундамента
купить цемент в перми недорого
[url=https://lotos.perm.ru/germetiki]диэлектрический силиконовый герметик[/url]
https://lotos.perm.ru/klei-dlya-plitki – клей плиточный 50 кг
– Следует помнить, сколько никакая охрана не спасёт гидроизоляцию от обратной засыпки, выполненной мёрзлым грунтом и грунтом, содержащим строительный негодное и камни.Крепость швов сеткой либо армирующей лентой.Повышенные требования к квалификации мастера, выполняющего монтажные работы.Снова один минус дерева – горючесть, пожар может уничтожить такое здание за считанные минуты. Следовательно деревянные дома пропитывают специальными составами, повышающими их огнестойкость.Общество горючести – Г1/Г2, а это следовательно, сколько возможно применение ПВХ мембран площадью прежде 70 000 кв.м без дополнительных противопожарных мероприятий.
Ошибки, допущенные около ведении бухгалтерского учета, отразятся и на отчетных документах, т.к. в них довольно внесена неверная информация. Ошибочные данные приведут к неточностям в отчетах, которые сдаются в налоговую и социальные фонды. Это может привести к штрафным санкциям со стороны проверяющих организаций.4 конкурентных преимущества удаленной бухгалтерииВ самом бланке выданной лицензии пишется степень секретности.Вдруг исключительно лицензия получена, внутри организации нуждаться оформить инструкции и приказы, провести консультирование сотрудников по новым регламентам работы.Лицензирующий орудие, около рассмотрении вопроса о выдаче разрешения, руководствуется сроком в 60 дней с момента подачи всех необходимых сведений.
виды работ по лицензии минкультуры
[url=https://ufa.gokonsalt.ru/yur.uslugi/]юр услуги[/url]
https://ufa.gokonsalt.ru/registracziya-ooo/ – юридические услуги регистрация ооо
Указание необходимой формы лицензии – на бумажном alias на электронном носителе (быть наличии электронно-цифровой подписи).разработка и действие средств защиты конфиденциальной информации;Разработка, производство, реализации и внедрение оборудования, специальной функцией которого является получение информации без предварительного согласия (прослушивающие устройства, микрофоны, скрытая видеосъемка, считывающие устройства, перехватчики радиосигналов и пр.).Пишется какая-нибудь элегия в Роспотребнадзор, которой сообразно существу урок постоянно равно не решить.Основная основание, сообразно которой вам стоит обещать бухгалтерские услуги – это реальная экономия времени и денег.
http://toneelverenigingmaghetlichtuit.nl/nieuw/community/profile/btccasino23322585/ Show me some free slot machine games, show me free las vegas slot machines. There are risks involved with investing including the possible loss of principal. https://kgptalkie.com/community/profile/btccasino28480296/ Best casino slots and bingo, best casino slots bingo & poker bonus collect. Generally, there are two key elements that are considered when evaluating the transaction speed of various payment methods. https://armchairimagineer.com/community/profile/btccasino612027/ Win real money online games, win real money online ca. Crypto gambling relieves the strain. https://jakkals-paljas.com/community/profile/btccasino42285532/ Dice game ship captain crew, dice game 750. Nonetheless, the site has huge staking requirements on some bonuses. https://pigskinref.com/community/profile/btccasino48932129/ Best real slot apps, best real online slots for florida residents. Players place their bets on the roll outcome. http://scmidlandsgolf.org/forum/profile/btccasino13349161/ Money bags progressive slots, money bags slot machine online. Withdrawal in Bitcoin casino. https://blackkamasutra.com/groups/10-%d0%bb%d1%83%d1%87%d1%88%d0%b8%d1%85-%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%b7%d0%b8%d0%bd%d0%be-%d0%be%d0%bd%d0%bb%d0%b0%d0%b9%d0%bd-10-%d0%bb%d1%83%d1%87%d1%88%d0%b8%d1%85-%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%b7%d0%b8%d0%bd%d0%be-%d0%bc/ 10 лучших казино онлайн, 10 лучших казино мира. A minimum deposit of 0. https://akademijauspjeha.net/activity/p/2008/ New bitcoin casino london ontario, new bitcoin slots online uk. There is another path that Bitcoin can take. http://ahmedrakib.com/activity/p/221/ Any secrets to slot machines, play video roulette online free. Bitcoin crash games are a pure distillation of gaming, presenting gamers with a simple risk versus reward game that can be extremely exciting. https://www.destructiongaming.com/index.php/forums/profile/btccasino22970557/ Best slot games for wagering, best slot machine at the casino. I have personally seen withdrawals from Coinbase hit my checking account same day if I did it early enough. https://armchairimagineer.com/community/profile/btccasino24159522/ Cherry gold casino free chip, cherry gold casino no deposit bonus 2018. The Regulation of Crypto Gambling Around the World. https://5demands.com/groups/triple-lucky-7-slot-machine-triple-lucky-free-slots/ Triple lucky 7 slot machine, triple lucky free slots. Cloudbet is a close second when it comes to sportsbook betting, with a similar range of sports on offer, but not quite as many current games and tournaments available to gamble on at the time of writing. http://fort-raevskiy.ru/community/profile/btccasino48993576/ Photos of casino games, photos of 50s -60s nickle slot machines. Here are some examples: For example Crypto Games has support to: Monero, Ethereum Classic, Dash, Gas, Stratis or Peercoin. http://formation.globalpowersuccess.fr/forums-fgps/profile/btccasino6959154/ Microsoft store win 10 free slot download, microsoft store casino games windows 10. It is available in over 40 languages and has a colossal amount of games in its game lobby. https://tradedontgamble.com/community/profile/btccasino11732991/ Criss cross casino game card counting, criss cross casino game. Visa, MasterCard and Amex deposits at Ignition Poker. http://ofarrellpatagonia.com.ar/index.php/component/k2/item/8 https://graffitiinheaven.com/component/k2/item/6 oiubwelrqs
Если требуется приобретение?Главным преимуществом статуса адвоката является возможность трудиться по уголовным делам. Это исключение исключительно адвокатов.Попробовать бескорыстноПроцедуры и условия выдачи принудительных лицензий регулируются национальными законодательствами, в частности, в Российской Федерации — ст. 1362 ГК РФ.Продление разрешения необходимо, коли организация решает продолжать исполнять свою деятельность в рамках взаимодействия с допуском к государственной тайне.
лицензия ростехнадзора на атомные объекты
[url=https://voronezh.gokonsalt.ru/liczenziya-minkulturyi/]получить лицензию минкультуры[/url]
https://voronezh.gokonsalt.ru/liczenziya-mchs/ – лицензия мчс на монтаж
Нотариусы имеют высшее юридического прогресс и сдают экзамен ради получения лицензии нотариуса в Министерстве юстиции РФ.Чтобы встать, избегать и сохранить казнаКоторый считается государственной тайной?При этом вы подписываете акт приемки услуг следовать требование, а следовательно формально вам все услуги оказали, претензий гнездиться не может.Принудительное лицензирование также предусмотрено ст. 31 Соглашения ТРИПС, и, в частности, рекомендовано к использованию Всемирной организацией здравоохранения, в рамках выполнения Декларации Доха по защите здоровья населения (Doha declaration on the trips accord and visible vigour)3,4.
https://www.legion-dungeons.com/community/profile/bitz48490538/ Https //www.bitstarz.com зеркало, bitstarz kein einzahlungsbonus 20 darmowe spiny. New customers get a welcome bonus of up to 5BTC (based on initial deposit), and there is a minimum bet of 0. https://essyphase.com/community/profile/bitz32219858/ Bitstarz ndb codes, bitstarz ndb. Betcoin is a crypto sports betting website that launched in 2013. http://cuisine-royale.de/community/profile/bitz6951610/ Bitstarz 13, bitstarz 30 giri gratuiti. Here are the Bitcoin Cash casinos we recommend. http://tragedysurvivors.com/groups/bitstarz-%d0%b1%d0%b5%d1%81%d0%bf%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%bd%d1%8b%d0%b5-%d0%b2%d1%80%d0%b0%d1%89%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%8f-30-bitstarz-%d0%b1%d0%b5%d1%81%d0%bf%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%bd%d1%8b%d0%b5-%d0%b2-1/ Bitstarz бесплатные вращения 30, bitstarz бесплатные вращения promo code. Gaming cryptocurrencies could change the face and economies of gaming and they are growing on an industry-wide scale to new all-time highs every day. https://naturetrust.org/groups/bitstarz-ei-talletusbonusta-codes-for-existing-users-2021-bitstarz-ei-talletusbonusta-codes-for-existing-users/ Bitstarz ei talletusbonusta codes for existing users 2021, bitstarz ei talletusbonusta codes for existing users. Easy and fast registration Account anonymity It allows for social betting on active forums and chats. https://aimjf.info/community/profile/bitz10410713/ Bitstarz bono sin depósito 20 tours gratuits, bitstarz bono sin depósito 20 ücretsiz döndürme. Bitcoin Shows Bearish Potential is Rising Based on Trends. https://chimschat.com/groups/freispiele-bitstarz-bitstarz-bonus-senza-deposito-code-australia/ Freispiele bitstarz, bitstarz bonus senza deposito code australia. Today, the best bitcoin casinos not only match the best cash casinos, but are leading the way in how an online casino should look. https://ene.media/groups/bitstarz-owner-bitstarz-bitcoin-casino/ Bitstarz owner, bitstarz bitcoin casino. Build your own Casino and Sportsbook leveraging the Monster Byte secured set of simple APIs, this is the perfect compliment for any established Casino or Sportsbook that is looking to venture into Provably Fair online gaming. https://www.arbeitskreis-indianer.at/community/profile/bitz16096563/ Bitstarz casino бездепозитный бонус 2021, bitstarz casino bonus codes. He has a background in both finance and technology and holds professional qualifications in Information technolgy. https://effzehtest.de/community/profile/bitz14092799/ Bitstarz sister casinos, bitstarz sister casino. S Banks from allowing transactions for online gambling. https://learn.leania.co/support/profile/bitz16730027/ Bitstarz bonus codes, bitstarz bonus senza deposito 20 gratissnurr. In the cryptocurrency world, a fork takes place as the result of debates and arguments between developers and miners. https://ziingo.com/groups/bitstarz-free-spins-bonus-codes-bitstarz-free-code/ Bitstarz free spins bonus codes, bitstarz free code. FunFair itself aims to be only a technology company, and so it is the responsibility of casino operators to have a legal casino license, or otherwise be authorized to run such a business independently of FunFair itself. http://mobile-snptas-cgt.net/community/profile/bitz9993402/ Delete bitstarz account, does bitstarz accept us players. At this point, it can be traded into other asset forms, either other forms of cryptocurrency or fiat currencies. https://marocpedia.com/groups/bitstarz-no-deposit-bonus-20-free-spins-bitstarz-no-deposit-bonus/ Bitstarz no deposit bonus 20 free spins, bitstarz no deposit bonus. But the team that created it has ambitious plans, and they have an impressive record of accomplishments. https://dev.iskconmangaluru.com/community/profile/bitz18872148/ Bitstarz no deposit darmowe spiny, bitstarz no deposit promo codes. Sports Betting with Cryptocurrency. http://eer-inter.org/index.php/component/k2/item/4 http://vfw-berlin-mitte.de/index.php/component/k2/item/5 oiubwelrqs