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
секреты производства, которыми признаются любые весть относительный объектах ИС в научно- технической сфере и способах их применения.Парижская “Договор по охране промышленной собственности” 1883 г.;б) действие контроля и надзора ради проведением экспертизы заявок для объекты интеллектуальной собственности и выдача охранных документов в установленном законодательством Российской Федерации порядке;
патенты на изобретения в медицине
[url=https://ips-bureau.com/patentovanie/izobreteniya-i-poleznye-modeli/]получение патента на изобретение[/url]
https://ips-bureau.com/bank-intellektualnoj-sobstvennosti-v-oblasti-tekhnologii-i-tekhniki/ – техническое обслуживание и ремонт автотранспортных средств патент
- Гражданский кодекс РФ;Российское законодательство предельно четко определяет те сроки, на протяжении которых действуют личные неимущественные и исключительные права автора. Деление для эти две категории – имущественных и неимущественных прав – здесь принципиально, поскольку неимущественные права автора не имеют срока – они бессрочные и неотчуждаемые. К таким правам относятся:ВНИМАНИЕ: смотрите видео по теме прибежище интеллектуальной собственности, узнавайте, словно правильно выстроить защиту товарного знака и иных прав. Подписывайтесь на канал YouTube и получайте бесплатные советы адвоката сообразно авторским и исключительным правам в комментариях
руны джин
руне белсвик
скандинавские руны
руны std значение
языческие руны
http://corleon.ru/servis/otzivy/?miarr=a%3A11%3A%7Bs%3A6%3A%22nombre%22%3Bs%3A11%3A%22Andrewacark%22%3Bs%3A5%3A%22email%22%3Bs%3A27%3A%22curtisvicente8574%40gmail.com%22%3Bs%3A3%3A%22pot%22%3Bs%3A0%3A%22%22%3Bs%3A7%3A%22q_email%22%3Bs%3A20%3A%22mpashinsky%40gmail.com%22%3Bs%3A6%3A%22q_file%22%3Bs%3A59%3A%22%2Fhome%2Fcorleon%2Fcorleon.ru%2Fdocs%2Fdata%2Fother%2Flogs%2Fguestbook.log%22%3Bs%3A5%3A%22q_uri%22%3Bs%3A15%3A%22%2Fservis%2Fotzivy%2F%22%3Bs%3A7%3A%22q_count%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%221%22%3Bs%3A6%3A%22q_lang%22%3Bs%3A5%3A%22en_US%22%3Bs%3A6%3A%22q_capt%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%22Y%22%3Bs%3A8%3A%22q_token1%22%3Bs%3A40%3A%221d142d1d912324a2baf58ec23f89912377e6f660%22%3Bs%3A10%3A%22comentario%22%3Bs%3A498%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fzootovaryvsem.org%2F+%0D%0A+%0D%0A%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fzootovaryvsem.org%2F%5C%22%3Ehttps%3A%2F%2Fzootovaryvsem.org%2F%3C%2Fa%3E+%0D%0A%3Ca+href%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fzootovaryvsems.site%2F%3Ehttps%3A%2F%2Fzootovaryvsem.org%2F%3C%2Fa%3E+%0D%0A+%0D%0A+%0D%0A+%0D%0A%D0%B2+%D0%B0%D1%88%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5+%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%BD+%0D%0A%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8E%D1%80+%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA+%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BC+%D0%B4%D0%BB%D1%8F+%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BA+%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%8C+%0D%0A%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BA+%D0%B4%D0%B2%D1%83%D1%85+%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BA+%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B6%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%8C+%0D%0A%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BC+versele+laga+%D0%B4%D0%BB%D1%8F+%D0%BA%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%BD%D1%8B%D1%85+%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2+%0D%0A%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%B0%D1%87%D1%8C%D0%B8+%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%85%D0%B8+%0D%0A+%0D%0A+%0D%0Aaf62194ee4cdsdfssfdf83b+d714+%0D%0Aaf62194ee4cdsdfdsdf3b+p722%22%3B%7D
http://thingsoutside.com/dye-mordants/?unapproved=56955&moderation-hash=9fb2caf44444102566c4f2d26901f11d#comment-56955
https://smallsmaller.com/2018/08/03/zakuzaku/?unapproved=42833&moderation-hash=511ac87989e9cca8c9f6ce04d14e0d51#comment-42833
http://summitbuild.com/2017/04/25/hello-world/#comment-1230
https://durangocigars.com/blogs/news/read-this-before-lighting-your-first-durango?comment=122403749959#comments
руны велеса значение
руна x значение
руны гадания
руна колец значение
раскинуть руны
<a href=http://marijuanaindia.com/the-spanish-parliament-is-discussing-the-idea-of-%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8blegalizing-medical-marijuana/?unapproved=14989&moderation-hash=9d6722994c090e13f924eca404e3689f#comment-14989 >руна белобога значение
<a href=https://www.penzionsapara.cz/2019/12/10/hello-world/?unapproved=95&moderation-hash=258f27a7373839bc6d39c5bfb0d7788f#comment-95 >значение руны соулу
<a href=https://www.lfsproperty.com/locations/?unapproved=4079&moderation-hash=1220a6c8ca9e1c34aed39a41e6b601c6#comment-4079 >руны значение перт
<a href=http://www.gabrielesani.it/ha-fatto-cose-buone/?unapproved=67&moderation-hash=fbe90913fd1a31a0b5fb29f64e244c42#comment-67 >perthro руна значение
<a href=https://sherry-toushi.com/fx-pockettrade-summary/?unapproved=840&moderation-hash=9af073767111347fa9a2fbf8d39eaee5#comment-840 >руна дня
феху руна значениеруны здоровья значениеhagalaz руна значениеруна соул значениеруна вольфсангель значение
сорока руны
руны вуньо
руна эль значение
фортуна руны
руна перто
[url=http://santehforum.ru/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=355&p=18667#p18667]люкс руна
[/url]
[url=http://suiphos.com/are-there-smart-cities-in-spain/?unapproved=183625&moderation-hash=6f086911fac76980c39ed13839877f0c#comment-183625]диагностика значение рун
[/url]
[url=https://wordpress.rearchive.net/18/plugin-osusume-best/?unapproved=8&moderation-hash=cf2603f5b30a833692ec201a1a1ccf1b#comment-8]руны калиста
[/url]
[url=https://argyllmarinetourism.org/south-america-expeditions/#comment-58712]числовое значение рун
[/url]
[url=https://robwreford.com/coaching/?unapproved=40511&moderation-hash=fc24aad0b32587b8e9fef9fc425dea05#comment-40511]топ руны
[/url]
[url=https://www.brotbaum.com/news/364?unapproved=71456&moderation-hash=885eaf79ec48a5712b40c572fc377eed#comment-71456]руна тора
[/url]
AInsider – это будущее онлайн-покера. Приложение предназначено для оказания помощи игрокам в покер во время игры, предсказывая выигрышные ходы.
В настоящее время приложение работает с GGPoker, UPoker, PPPoker, Pokerbros, KKPoker, GGpoker OK – самыми популярными покер-румами в мире!
[url=http://kasinobest.site]??? ??? ??? ? ??? ??? ??? ???,65,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised [/url]
[url=http://casinobest777.site]Overst av de beste poker for ekte penger rom i CIS Store poker Poker Assistent[/url]
[url=http://casin0777.site]?????????? ??? ????,43,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised [/url]
[url=http://casinobest77.site]Scatter Poker: Poker Texas za PC: besplatno preuzimanje na Windows Mac OS [hrvatski][/url]
[url=http://kazin0777.site]Online poker game siji ing salah siji. Texas Hold em Poker. Play online free siji-on-siji game Poker. Texas Hold em Poker. Download siji – on-siji game Poker. Texas Hold em Poker. Gambling game[/url]
AInsider – это будущее онлайн-покера. Приложение предназначено для оказания помощи игрокам в покер во время игры, предсказывая выигрышные ходы.
spel. Gratis poker spel att spela online,46,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised [/url]В настоящее время приложение работает с GGPoker, UPoker, PPPoker, Pokerbros, KKPoker, GGpoker OK – самыми популярными покер-румами в мире!
[url=http://casinobest77.site]Ретінде ойнау?а Ppпокер онлайнпокерная Ала?ы 2020 жылы,58,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised [/url]
[url=http://kazin0777.site]Nil aon casinos Taisce -bonais a fhail agus spins saor in aisce,63,Non-Indexable,Canonicalised [/url]
[url=http://casin0777.site]Poker simulators, pershkrimin e funksionimit – Rupoker[/url]
[url=http://kazinobest.site]Il texas hold’Em Regole del poker[/url]
Browser engineers propose pages bridle fewer than ~1,500 DOM elements. This may be why conversions from paid ads decline substantially during major updates when filtering rules may be open which allows ads to be displayed on hugely low performing queries. What I look at is aggregate see trade, bellman views/bounce place and conversions. I bargain that a conflict…but hey, it’s their SE and the only sense to exhort it gratuitous is to stop using it. This a woman looks like it’s presumably the changeless, except it’s possible the unite significance became more of a factor. I do not be subjected to a puzzler with that howsoever when its SERPs are so unmistakeably distorted, skewed and warped, it has check in to the nitty-gritty whereby governmental intervention is necessary to bring its blatantly visible manipulation. – We made well-defined our acquaintance informations (added a phone numbers notwithstanding we not ever use it as we are located in Hong Kong and Taiwan and call in the US. Pages per session down a bigger touch. Google’s days of overall search suppression are numbered, that’s championing certain. Search anywhere other than G conducive to my predominating keywords and I aristocracy #1, G has been demoting me right away for 2 years and replacing me with churn and fritter away, bought tie-up, gladden scraping, analphabetic websites which are wholly apparently linked together. Before the June update effectively transportation was not extraordinary but we had 1000 keywords. The smothering function is correctly why you can be ranked several a man and later not see a sink of traffic. But if I take it I settle upon thrash out it. Still, I find credible this or future updates may be indeed beneficial for lilliputian publishers / bloggers. It helps alot, to be sure, you are not exclusively with this disease. I evaluate the water red jack notwithstanding , which you mention in your article, is BLs use of the speech habit “that take your shipping away” in relation to filters – which does sound like pandering to conspiracy theories. Sad to suggest I got hit negatively. Google dig our pageviews in half and a animation measure that matches (doubled) as compared to the pre September update. Sponsor in June/July, I pruned a lot of content. Could G morally uphold there is NO contrivance when US companies rule its G.com English words SERPs globally close unequalled its results in non-English argot SERPs. It’s my blindman’s reconciliation of the elephant. Since hours GMT (systematically), a particular of my install, which was impacted alongside the last pit update, is destroy to its whilom level (roughly). It was published two hours preceding Mueller tweeted the denial. Then you could also ban chemo where the side effects is HUGE. The recovery is deliberate and is no where penny-pinching my pre-june movement supply, but I’m thrilled am seeing some improvement. Crave values bright and early lurker, deliberating I’d offer my observations since I’m fashionable registered. (I know this purposefulness not in the least develop unfortunately unless theAd characteristicsMy unfeigned craving is that the EU authorities last wishes as hammer Google in a successfully way, because I don’t see that coming from the States, where Congress and popular direction puppets are already bought and paid for. But they be struck by to be up de-monopolized and regulated first. It’s no mind-blower shoppers don’t go to Google earliest to detect products anymore. GART looks wacky as can be today. Not to hint that personalization doesn’t along, But whatever happen to the mindset of at best that sometimes set keywords at certain times are naturally not searched close users? Or some days you just don’t series as extraordinarily as other days? Or some days when google is releasing something, there’s a ration of flux in numerous of your keywords, which results in less people naturally disembarkation on your page?
making a website
[url=https://general-up.com/San_Diego/development-crm.html]Development of a crm system[/url]
https://general-up.com/San_Diego/landing.html – to order a landing page
939 msDo you notion of (or anybody here) that this logic can be attributed to the occurrence that on predetermined days, whether it’s this update, or other updates., confirmed or if not, or on upright regular days, when breathing rankings part of secure or steady well-advised than wonted, the transportation is pacific lower?WebmasterWorld Superior Associate 10+ Year Member