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
samsung bd-em57cget oneplus 2 invitelenovo c40-05 driverswusb600n windows 10 driverwhat is explorer suite ivmotorola device manager macdwa-552 driveraten uc 232 adell 630 wireless drivercorsair icue void visualizer
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/заработок в интернете/page4/]gigabyte b75m-hd3
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/подписная база/]wacom intuos 2 yosemite
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/стратегия/]which dog has the biggest penis
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/my/ryabova68/page3/]code geass minecraft skin
[/url]
[url=http://www.grabr.ru/tegi/privlechenie-trafika/]logitech quickcam ultra vision windows 10
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/заработок для новичков/]980 ti drivers windows 10
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/Достижение успеха/]ronaldo cards fifa 15
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/e-mail-marketing/]hp probook 440 drivers
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/content/robin-sharma-26-prostykh-pravil-zametki-po-puti-v-rim/]4videosoft dvd copy review
[/url]
[url=http://www.grabr.ru/tegi/avtomaticheskaya-rassylka/]samsung galaxy s5 for virgin mobile
[/url]
code vein alternate mia set
fifa 15 diego costa
pokemon go 0.39.1 apk
serif webplus free download
teamviewer lock on session end
http://grabr.ru/related/opros/
http://seominds.ru/tag/лидерские качества/
http://seominds.ru/tag/Ответы@mail.ru/
http://seominds.ru/tag/положительная мотивация/
http://grabr.ru/tegi/kak-preodolet-len/
http://grabr.ru/tegi/tipy-temperamenta-lichnosti/
http://seominds.ru/tag/факторы успеха/
http://grabr.ru/tegi/biznes-otnosheniya/
https://prlog.ru/analysis/artemfaryevych.com
http://grabr.ru/content/motivatsiya-chto-za-etim-stoit/
moultrie m-550 gen2
cod aw all prestiges
corsair scimitar double clicking
santi cazorla fifa 16
asus sabertooth 990fx gen3
directv for tablet apk
samsung mobile usb cdc composite device
asus z87-pro drivers
nvidia quadro fx 570 driver
traktor audio 4 dj
pce-ac56 drivers
dell 2130cn printer drivers
how to disable block up popper
tsstcorp cddvdw su-208db driver download
magnavox blu ray player update
полуприцеп самосвальный wielton
Also visit my web blog :: https://xn—e1afileccfz7a.xn—p1ai/
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Example of cause and effect essay on stress .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Les animaux malades de la peste resume
Professional dissertation conclusion writing site ca
4th grade historical fiction book reports
Architectural jobs chicago resume
Popular expository essay editing website usa
Psychology thesis example
Romeo and juliet act 3 scene 1 essay questions
a tall tale template osfpb[/url] essay writing website – Resume youth pastor skufp 2021[/url] resume sample – English is easy to learn but difficult to master essay dgtqg 2021[/url] custom essay editing services usa[/url] 3c76b21Dissertation development workshop
Postmodernism art essay topics
Insurance companies business plan
Advantage creating disadvantage internet resume
College entrance essay question
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
of cause and effect essay on stress [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.thezenweb.com]studybay[/url]
Thesis on accounting information system
for essay ged testing kfvax[/url] phd essay ghostwriting services for university pedbg 2021[/url] without color essay bbtct[/url] statement supporting capital punishment – Custom research papers writing service zdpvy 2021[/url] thesis proposal editing service for phd xfiet[/url]Best homework editing services for school
Resume sales clerk job description
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
of cause and effect essay on stress [/b] custom essay ghostwriting site online hmeyz[/url] speech ghostwriter sites for college yccbp[/url] chopin literary analysis lbddl 2021[/url] letter australia post afofm[/url] pro[/url]WritingEssayEast.com Review
https://maps.google.ht/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://images.google.ci/url?q=https://essaypro.me
http://3zfe6.7ba.info/out.php?url=https://www-cashnetusa-com-login.blogspot.com/
Youth leader resume sample
Resume tip
How to write a professional resume for an internship
[url=http://kreditciti.ru]сити займ[/url]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro sign up[/url]
http://wiki.blolab.org/index.php/Utilisateur:Studybayscom
http://hawkeye.bravofleet.com/wiki/index.php/User:Annajohnsonus
Writing portrait essays
Esl research proposal editing service online
Core qualities for a resume
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/266853-article-editing-sites-gb.html#296609
https://krugozorov.ru/forum/messages/forum1/topic1/message287005/?result=reply#message287005
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/453374-professional-editor-for-hire-au/#comment-2622506
Example of cause and effect essay on stress
to write a report on sims 3 uogbb[/url] to like homework – A brief history of the ku klux klan new world essay l filmbay xi24iv html vmyrz 2021[/url] help writing nursing resume vlhjl[/url] to writing an essay wdmrl[/url] of cause and effect essay on stress [/b] to get ecology content seezu 2021[/url] to write a business book pdf[/url] plan for internet cafe pdf xsjpr[/url] technical service resume rnffe[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/453028-entry-level-lab-assistant-resume/#comment-2600649
http://www.ownitrealty.vip/2020/08/30/how-to-get-the-1xbet-promo-code-2019-8/#comment-2209777
https://www.terraeve.com/groups/rolety-materialowe-na-wymiar-wewnetrzne/forum/topic/strategic-management-term-paper-topics/page/2/#post-1087297
Proper essay spacing
of cause and effect essay on stress [/b] trade assistant labourer resume upqfy 2021[/url] to write a cv for medical school admission mjseg[/url] for my women and gender studies presentation diqor 2021[/url] powerpoint[/url] academic essay ghostwriters site for masters dqpdb[/url] facts for kids qqxpc[/url]Sample resume for psychology undergraduate
Business plan laundry
Torrents: [url=http://gh6600777.com/anime/tara-duncan]Tara Duncan[/url]
Comedia ! [url=http://hwnky.com/sangre-de-campeon/]Sangre de CampeГіn de Carlos CuauhtГ©moc SГЎnchez[/url].
Curt Geda,
Christopher Meyer
[url=http://totogelap4.com/download-subtitle/Godzilla-vs.-Kong-2021_252817] Godzilla.vs.Kong.2021.WEBRip.XviD.MP3-XVID-Thai.srt[/url]
RollerCoaster.Tycoon.World.REPACK-KaOs – [url=http://wcroyq.pics/the-boys-season-1]The Boys (season 1, 2, 3)[/url]. Apple Service Diagnostics 3S143 MACOSX 15.08.06 – [url=http://avalonhomesolutions.com/Show/Love-Naggers-3/Episode-73?id=27491]Episode 73[/url].
Jimmy.Fallon.2016.01.15.Ray.Romano.HDTV.×264 CROOKS[ettv]
BitLord.com
Brooklyn.Nine Nine.S04E06.HDTV.×264 FLEET[PRiME]
BitLord.com + [url=http://cfcosta.lol/1842-the-tax-collector-2020.html]4K The Tax Collector (2020)[/url]. Caroline Ardolino mp4 – [url=http://6569ss.xyz/descargar/peliculas-castellano/una-obra-maestra-2021-/blurayrip-ac3-5-1/]Una Obra Maestra (2021) BluRayRip AC3 5.1[/url].
skellige’s most wanted glitchboost mobile slide phoneslenovo h50-55 driversgigabyte sm bus controlleredimax ew-7722utn v2dlink dcs 5222l firmwaredata mining add in excel 2010zyxel g-220 driverultimate general gettysburg cheatskyocera taskalfa 3501i driver
[url=http://seominds.ru/my/ryabova68/page2/]turtle beach sound card driver
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/таблетки от лени/]ralink_rt3290_bluetooth_01 windows 8.1
[/url]
[url=https://www.pro-mlm.ru/blog/mlm-v-pismax-izbrannoe-tom-10/]gigabyte ga-h57m-usb3
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/chto-znachit-spam/]black ops 3 menu
[/url]
[url=https://bobrdobr.ru/tags/public/сангвиник/]gigabyte ga-z270-hd3p
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/zanizhennaya-samootsenka/]strife veteran edition cheats
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/robin-sharma/]radeon software revision number 16.11.2
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/e-mail marketing/]ms lifecam nx 6000
[/url]
[url=http://www.grabr.ru/content/chego-my-boimsya-5-retseptov-preodoleniya-strakha/]msi z270 sli plus bios
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/content/7-sposobov-podnyat-sobstvennuyu-samootsenku/]rome total war patch 1.5
[/url]
fallout 4 monsignor plaza patch
sven co op player models
acl found but not expected
turtle beach sound card driver
what is hp 3d driveguard
https://bobrdobr.ru/people/annaryabova/
http://grabr.ru/tegi/uspeshnyi-internet-biznes/
http://www.grabr.ru/tegi/privlechenie-trafika/
http://seominds.ru/tag/E-mail маркетинг/
http://seominds.ru/tag/достижения/
https://bobrdobr.ru/people/annaryabova/
http://seominds.ru/tag/как достичь цели/
http://grabr.ru/tegi/vzaimosvyaz-kharaktera-i-tempera/
http://grabr.ru/tegi/privlecheniya-posetitelei-na-sai/
http://seominds.ru/tag/начать новую жизнь/
deus ex human revolution debug
ir adv 4235 driver
asus z97-a ethernet driver
asus z170m plus drivers
stellar phoenix recovery for quickbooks
asus rog maximus xi hero drivers
intel centrino wireless-n 2230 problems
epson perfection 2400 photo
easy unrar unzip & zip apk
dragonfall hotel admin password
realtek rtl8723be wireless lan 802.11 n pci e nic
canon ir adv 4035 driver
m-track plus
lenovo y50 ec firmware
microsoft wireless mouse 3000 driver