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
http://cdhtactical.com/forums/users/praychelperch The spy bubble https://soicauvip247.top/forums/users/peulaliecrayfish Best app for spying on text messages https://pi0cket.com/forums/users/pellietapir Xnspy android spy app http://planetnelly.co.uk/forums/users/platrenabear Best call voice recorder app for android https://forum.cyclingindustry.news/forums/users/pmaisiecuckoo Sat gps locate for android http://openallpools.com/forums/users/preesnake Call recording setting in realme 7 https://cyberlogy.org/forums/users/peulacattle Sprint mobile locator https://lomeit.tg/forums/users/ptobiimpala Whatsapp sniffer app download http://cdhtactical.com/forums/users/pkailashrimp Call recorder old version https://marylayne.com/forums/users/pmathildakrill Remote facebook messenger spy https://seorun.co.il/forums/users/pethelinlark Spy on phone location http://www.ibrahimhaliler.com/forums/users/psaideealbatross Acr recorder pro app https://mvrdigitalschools.org/forums/users/pshandasturgeon Best jailbreaks http://www.youthforscience.org/forums/users/pcharitahaddock Online number trace pk http://www.youthforscience.org/forums/users/pnadinegalliform Cellsaa mobile number tracker https://basturkler.com/index.php/component/k2/item/1 http://vpmassagetherapy.com/index.php/component/k2/item/6 kejyqwoxvnle
1XBET Azərbaycan merc saytlari [url=https://1xbet-az-24.com/]1xbet rəsmi[/url]. Hesabınızı nəğd pulla 1xBet Az qəbulu məntəqələrində və ya WebMoney, Qiwi və digərləri kimi elektron ödəmə sistemləri vasitəsilə doldura bilərsiniz. 1XBET AZ Ödəmələr Təhlükəsizlik və Təhlükəsizlik. Təhlükəsizlik və məxfilik 1xBet az səviyyəsindədir. Beləliklə, bütün əməliyyatlar əvvəlcədən SSL şifrələnmişdir. Valyuta variantları mövcud bütün fiat və cryptocurrency variantlarına yaxındır.
https://helphawks.com/forums/users/pkaryshrimp Snapchat home screen change https://brokerstormforum.com/forums/users/pvannytakin Mobile number tracker website https://football.ll.land/forums/users/pjenifferlouse Instagram monitoring for iPhone 7 http://www.youthforscience.org/forums/users/pdariagecko Call recording facility in iphone 7 http://planetnelly.co.uk/forums/users/pcissieetick Huawei location tracking https://innovativeincomeinvestor.com/forums/users/pvonnieboar Mobile eye tracking glasses https://victimssupportfundng.org/forums/users/pcherritaaardwolf Track phone location gps http://cdhtactical.com/forums/users/plishesquirrel Track phone location using facebook https://www.touahria.com/forums/users/pkassiebarracuda Real mobile number tracker with google map https://marstars.net/forums/users/pmelesagoat Kik tracking for iPad Pro 2 https://letsfixit.co.uk/forums/users/pscarlettchinchilla Samsung mobile location tracker https://idamittham.com/forums/users/panastassialemur Acr call recorder settings https://helphawks.com/forums/users/pgeorgeannemeerkat Stealthgenie iphone https://allstarceo.com/forums/users/paugustaguanaco Find my lost android phone download http://www.youthforscience.org/forums/users/pziabobcat Monitor snapchat android http://tehshop.by/index.php/component/k2/item/2 http://torti-ki.com.ua/index.php/component/k2/item/2 kejyqwoxvnle
Best cheap essay editor website au .
Proceed to Order!!! https://dhomme6.com/dh/profile.php?id=8832
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
Быстро. Качественно. Гарантия. Доступные цены. Выезд на дом в любой район города. Без выходных и праздников.
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Срочный ремонт холодильников на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Астрахани на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Барнауле на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Волгограде на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Воронеже на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Екатеринбурге на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Ижевске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Иркутске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Казани на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Калининграде на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Кемерово на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Краснодаре на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Красноярске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Магнитогорске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Набережных Челнах на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Нижнем Новгороде на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Нижнем Тагиле на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Новокузнецке на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Новосибирске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Омске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Оренбурге на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Пензе на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Перми на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Петрозаводске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Пскове на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Ростове-на-Дону на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Самаре на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Санкт-Петербурге на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в СПб на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Саранске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Саратове на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Севастополе на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Симферополе на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Сочи на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Ставрополе на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Сургуте на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Таганроге на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Тольятти на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Томске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Туле на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Тюмени на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Ульяновске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Уфе на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Чебоксарах на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Челябинске на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Энгельсе на дому[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3riDfIj]Ремонт холодильников в Ярославле на дому[/url]