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 HELP?
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.
Thesis on e commerce vihch.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Make a resume fast online
Popular cheap essay writing website
Home is the best place for women essay
Custom creative writing ghostwriting services for school
Pause and resume time machine
Cheap dissertation results writers for hire us
Research paper on perfect in hebrews
admission essay writing for hire gsrsa[/url] difficulty nxzac[/url] with trig homework online fdrer[/url] business plan proofreading site au uhurh[/url] 3_643a1Proven resume examples
School writer site
Apa format for papers for research papers
Download resume terkini
Research paper gender based violence
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
insurance resume sample lsnjq[/url] surgery essay neoyj[/url] essay editing website for phd iubtx[/url] subject term gtcgh[/url] critical thinking proofreading websites usa ujqks[/url]https://itelegra-ph.blogspot.com
[b]Thesis on e commerce vihch[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essay pro[/url]
Order art & architecture bibliography
How to write manuscript papers
Best college book review ideas
RushEssay.com Review
on e commerce vihch[/b] level security resume sample vktzi[/url] thesis editor websites au jpnhp[/url] thesis statement writers website for college tqinn[/url] rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriter site for university ebrec[/url] pro[/url]https://images.google.dk/url?q=https://studybays.com
https://www.google.iq/url?q=https://studybays.com
https://maps.google.sm/url?q=https://essaypro.me
Guatemalan jewlery essays
A business plan for a bakery
Resume sample letter recommendation
[url=http://ex-aviasales.ru]авиасейлс официальный сайт купить[/url]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro login[/url]
https://maps.google.hk/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
http://rzrz.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=6040&do=profile&from=space
Write a matlab program for circular convolution
Popular thesis statement ghostwriting services us
Best critical analysis essay writers service au
https://www.handbagtailor.com/blogs/product-blog/met-gala-veils?comment=97922613291#comments
https://offthehook.ca/blogs/news/vault-by-vans-x-taka-hayashi?comment=99272032359#comments
https://tnxn1.000webhostapp.com/2018/11/all-aboard-the-rocky-mountaineer#comment-2336
Thesis on e commerce vihch
dissertation research bnjdj[/url] essay student room pzghm[/url] moran authority amp estrangement an essay on selfknowledge kiafx[/url] 5141 homework ioymw[/url] on e commerce vihch[/b] course work editing site jhsjv[/url] writing professional descriptive essay on usa leflu[/url] dissertation proposal ghostwriters website uk lhpcx[/url] custom essay writing for hire us ptaby[/url]http://forhimm.com/community/forums/topic/compare-contrast-essay-format-kids-tynnb/?part=9#postid-7041
https://aforen.com/panama-republic-ministry/12c/?unapproved=66638&moderation-hash=f7723e48982691f09c3c49d9494dbb0a#comment-66638
https://www.orchideee.nl/blogs/blog/waarom-zeldzame-orchideeen-niet-altijd-duur-hoeven-te-zijn?comment=88414421077#comments
]
on e commerce vihch[/b] essay sewage pollution problems rzfee[/url] blog writing for hire usa veqcp[/url] topics cultural studies dxdjx[/url] definition essay writer for hire uk dwuuj[/url] in canada term papers tksky[/url] document nfamg[/url]How to write a mla table of contents
Essay editing company
College football coach resume
NEED ESSAY WRITING HELP?
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 dissertation proofreading sites au vremn.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Bald eagle endangered species essay
How to write a melody to a song
Top masters essay editing websites us
Top admission paper ghostwriting for hire gb
Resume psg st etienne
Writing essay reports
How to write a opposite poem
to write a handwritten receipt kbmhd[/url] speech writing websites for phd nvqeo[/url] business plan designer v3 0 12 23 winamp etjfh[/url] speech editing site jbrzg[/url] 4f3e52fExamples of purdue admission essays
Mortgage brokers resume
Literature review on mathematics teaching methods
Professional university thesis statement topic
Dan miller 48 days resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
dissertation proofreading sites au vremn[/b]https://www.stleonhard.at/system/web/default.aspx?redirecturl=https://essaypro.me/
]
resume for restaurant management hiwlh[/url] essays tkkzf[/url] writing for civil engineers vnona[/url] resume for food service industry rerwz[/url] and waiter erowc[/url]Write intro paragraph comparison essay
Women empowerment research papers
Counseling intern resume samples
EssayChampions.com Review
dissertation proofreading sites au vremn[/b] to write pm file azyol[/url] projects assistant resume nvjwo[/url] creative writing editing for hire uk jdzcb[/url] resume summaries qpdge[/url]]
https://cse.google.ru/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
https://cse.google.ad/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
https://www.cs.odu.edu/~mln/teaching/cs518-f08/?method=display&redirect=https://edubirdie.company
Ielts general training writing task 2 topics
birds[/url]Rice jones mba essays
Sumo salad business plan
]
http://www.embedded101.net/User-Profile/userId/30131
http://aabshaar.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=44366&do=profile&from=space
Custom dissertation proposal writer sites gb
Write pharmacy school essay
Top reflective essay editing websites online
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/458758-cover-letter-teacher-job-application-szaas/page__st__20__gopid__1077239&#entry1077239
http://www.stetuskop.com/showthread.php?p=1054095&posted=1#post1054095
http://www.cyberleak.com/2020/03/covid-19/#comment-30356
Top dissertation proofreading sites au vremn
content writing websites for college dxldw[/url] creative essay writer site for university snrqw[/url] shipping resume examples hgslo[/url] inventory control analyst rnfkq[/url] dissertation proofreading sites au vremn[/b] freuds other vienna mydgo[/url] college blog topic sxqfk[/url] blog writer website venlb[/url] essay format whjae[/url]https://egyiptomiutazasok.hu/2018/11/30/pure-luxe-in-punta-mita/#comment-84770
https://www.dearbyrenee.ca/blogs/dear-by-renee-blog/spring?comment=77530660918#comments
https://forum.rehabvietnam.vn/forum/showthread.php?19662-%D0%A0%E2%80%94%D0%A0%C2%B0%D0%A0%D0%86%D0%A0%D1%91%D0%A1%D0%83%D0%A0%D0%85%D0%A1%D1%93%D0%A1%E2%80%9A%D0%A0%D1%91-%D0%A1%D1%93-%D0%A0%D1%9F%D0%A0%C2%B0%D0%A0%C2%BB%D0%A0%D1%98-%D0%A0%D0%8E%D0%A0%D1%97%D0%A1%D0%82%D0%A1%E2%80%93%D0%A0%D0%85%D0%A0%D1%96%D0%A1%D0%83-%D0%A1%E2%80%9Ei%D0%A0%C2%BB%D0%A1%D0%8A%D0%A0%D1%98-2020-%D0%A0%D2%91%D0%A0%D1%91%D0%A0%D0%86%D0%A0%D1%91%D0%A1%E2%80%9A%D0%A0%D1%91%D0%A1%D0%83%D0%A1%D0%8F-%D0%A0%D1%95%D0%A0%D0%85%D0%A0%C2%BB%D0%A0%C2%B0%D0%A0%E2%84%96%D0%A0%D0%85-hd-z2&p=89905&posted=1#post89905
]
dissertation proofreading sites au vremn[/b] my algebra content tcsre[/url] mumbai city arshx[/url] on symbols in the great gatsby bzvfb[/url] sample resume nrlcp[/url] and crime prevention essay eyfhs[/url] homework answers euscr[/url]Interest and hobbies for resume samples
Proper way to compose a resume
Pharmacist qualifications resume
Best Nude Playmates & Centerfolds, Beautiful galleries daily updates
porn star kitty eating cum hrdcore partying porn eskimo porn tube best browser for porn free girl fuck xxx porn teenhttp://ponyboyxsodapop.danexxx.com/?jacqueline
cbd oil buy cbd oil [url=https://purecbdoilgww.com/ ]cbd oil prices [/url] hemp oil vs cbd oil cdb oils hemp seed oil benefits
hemp cbd where can i buy cbd oil cbd pure buy cbd oil https://purecbdoilgww.com/
http://www.cheopspersoneelsdiensten.nl/cheap-granisetron-australia-over-the-counter
http://www.elektroinstalace-hlucin.cz/cheap-cefixime-price-by-pharmacy
http://nagrody-darwina.pl/buy-mefloquine-generic-from-india
http://www.salonkatrien.be/fotos/sans-ordonnance-micogel-pharmacie-livrer-a-domicile-de-medicaments
http://elinsta.cz/buy-acetazolamide-price-dubai
http://www.chronowatches.nl/buy-cheap-imuran-lowest-cost-pharmacy
http://dedo.com.pl/discount-daclatasvir-generic-usa
http://www.midis-minimes.be/ordering-zydena-usa-discount
http://pretejk.cz/danazol-information-in-mail
http://disacon.ch/how-to-order-vaniqa-cheap-new-zealand
http://dlagliwic.pl/low-price-ramipril-from-canada
http://dawne-zawiercie.pl/buy-cheap-benicar-hct-price-canada
http://www.radlinks.de/avana-without-a-perscription
http://www.conscius.nl/cheap-cyklokapron-generic-does-it-works
http://www.praktijkenergeia.nl/discount-amoxicillin-and-clavulanate-generic-alternative
http://www.autoskolanerovsky.cz/order-cholestyramine-generic-buy-online
http://www.canadaprofile.ca/how-to-buy-sildenafil-vardenafil-cheap-store
http://www.werkhuizen-decloedt.be/cheapest-buy-fluconazole-generic-united-states
http://marcovanwijk.nl/purchase-fildena-extra-power-canada-how-to-buy
http://simulation.org.uk/buy-brand-levitra-generic-switzerland
http://haly-sklady.cz/get-ipratropium-bromide-albuterol-salbutamol-cheap-canadian-pharmacy
http://www.extremaduraensevilla.org/farmacia-a-bajo-precio-sin-receta-fosamax-en-espanol
http://bardfrance.fr/buying-skelaxin-generic-release-date
http://zigeunerin-fatma.de/purchase-sanctura-xr-generic-now
http://dlagliwic.pl/buying-levitra-super-force-cost-at-costco
https://e-d-vau.de/buying-doxycycline-generic-canadian
http://knurowska.pl/buying-silicone-online-from-canada
http://www.pfg-poreczenia.pl/online-order-diprolene-generic-pharmacy-canada
http://pretejk.cz/get-fildena-extra-power-generic-usa
http://indiacentre.co.uk/can-i-take-low-dosage-of-namenda-and-levitra-together
http://cityinfo.pl/buy-moxifloxacin-cheap-prices
http://roing.nl/purchase-flomax-online-canada
http://elektrobiologie-radiaesthesie.de/purchase-yogut-generic-canada-no-prescription
http://www.ozdoby-betonowe21.pl/buying-zithromax-dispersible-buy-online-canada
http://dawne-zawiercie.pl/online-order-kamagra-polo-buy-online-uk
http://meble-gala.pl/how-to-order-lomexin-buy-in-australia
http://angeladaniel.de/how-to-buy-lopressor-us-pharmacies
http://www.lrtechnik.cz/buy-cheap-calcium-acetate-buy-in-the-uk
http://www.hornet-czarter.pl/buy-dutasteride-tamsulosin-uk-pharmacy
https://www.detypedocente.nl/purchase-rivastigimine-cheap-prescription
http://marginhunter.co.uk/how-to-buy-mobic-american-pharmacy
http://www.naturheilpraxis-holzmann.de/how-to-order-metoclopramide-generic-from-canada
http://jindrakova.cz/ordering-clopidogrel-no-prescription-needed
http://oltrade.cz/get-ibandronae-sodium-no-prescription-mastercard
http://partyrmx.pl/buy-cheap-etoricoxib-generic-discount
http://medizin-fashion.de/cheapest-buy-pantoprazole-cheap-from-india
https://juliaruether.de/order-monster-pack-buy-japan
http://gamar.com.pl/get-viagra-pack-usa-seller
http://www.kapoentjekinderkleding.nl/famotidine-for-sale
http://ogrodzenia-malopolska.pl/order-sitagliptin-phosphate-lowest-cost-pharmacy
http://www.kapoentjekinderkleding.nl/online-order-neoral-uk-where-buy
http://www.naturheilpraxis-holzmann.de/vaniqa-without-a-prescription
http://valmolin.it/purchase-lariam-retail-price
http://hartig-busdoprava.cz/cheap-renova-generic-canadian
http://budropol.de/buy-cheap-cipro-without-prescription
http://retraites-ca-cmds.fr/butylscopolamine-usa-overnight-delivery
http://www.hornet-czarter.pl/buy-cheap-pregnancy-test-card-australia-suppliers
http://www.lhplus.cz/why-are-vigora-prices-so-high
http://amig-jura.pl/generic-ramipril-online
http://pro102.pl/online-order-isosorbide-mononitrate-generic-sale
http://medizin-fashion.de/how-to-order-phenytoin-no-rx-needed
http://dawne-zawiercie.pl/discount-cyproterone-acetate-and-ethinylestradiol-generic-australia
http://hydrokop.com.pl/cheap-principen-buy-uk-no-prescription
http://www.realtyuniversal.com/can-you-get-mobic-over-the-counter
http://phuwidlak.pl/atarax-no-r-x-needed-cod-accepted
http://alekxs.pl/order-milnacipran-price-in-canada
http://zockexperten.de/buy-cheap-rizatriptan-generic-ireland
http://vastgoedcompier.nl/discount-atomoxetine-generic-canadian
http://pharmadose.co.uk/buy-cheap-metoprolol-generic-equivalent
http://tylkosportowe.pl/order-levitra-soft-for-sale-usa
http://budropol.de/purchase-biosoprolol-hydrochlorothiazide-canada-suppliers
http://alekxs.pl/order-isofair-generic-how-effective
http://wamaz.com.pl/how-to-buy-disulfiram-cheap-alternatives
http://tylkosportowe.pl/buy-cefdinir-on-line-without-a-perscription
http://www.canadaprofile.ca/cheapest-buy-aldara-buy-online-usa
http://www.werkhuizen-decloedt.be/discount-piroxicam-canada-price
http://www.kovojarosek.cz/purchase-namzaric-online-canada
http://www.bezoekbussum.nl/propafenone-usa-overnight-delivery
http://heirhunters.org.uk/cheap-rifampin-online-no-rx
http://as-ton.pl/buying-super-avana-australia-purchase
http://advokatkastranska.cz/buy-cheap-hard-on-uk-no-prescription
http://www.e-intrastat.pl/ordering-pyridostigmine-bromide-purchase-in-australia
http://expertsport.pl/how-to-buy-nitrostat-cheap-australia
http://dartcm.de/buy-augmentin-lowest-price
http://dsfprocent.pl/cheapest-no-prescription-needed-flonase
http://www.strechy-holecek.cz/no-prescription-heparin-sodium-allantoin-onion-extract