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.
Marriage in judaism essays hwpgg 2021.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Mla essay page numbering format
Online homework for maths
Write my biology biography
Sample cover letter for training
Cover letter resume sales
An essay on environment in hindi
Sample resume post op receptionist
of crime essay – How to write and argument for euthanasia pvpri 2021[/url] india business plan bboph[/url] contrasting topics essays crrww[/url] letter free example ygwpw[/url] e52f63cHelp me write popular descriptive essay on usa
Do my government book review
Write a hospital business plan
Help with my esl expository essay on hillary clinton
Essay marker and analyzer tool
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
in judaism essays hwpgg 2021[/b] login[/url]https://community.keysight.com/external-link.jspa?url=https://essayshark.review
Cheap article writers sites for university
academic essay ghostwriter website for masters zqpdn[/url] essay okvjo[/url] with zoology article review – Vgchange device mapper resume ioctl on failed ecgak 2021[/url] to correctly cite a movie in an essay mwjvg[/url] immigrant writes arnold schwarzenegger thesis brwyk[/url]Cheap dissertation introduction ghostwriting for hire for college
Esl thesis statement writers websites uk
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
in judaism essays hwpgg 2021[/b] to write a photo essay proposal swlgi[/url] school essays examples squct[/url] business plan writing site gb mmfrw[/url] ghostwriters websites online mpxbv[/url]chapter 2 dissertation outline template
]
https://www.google.gl/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
http://images.google.cd/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://images.google.ac/url?q=http://author24.ru.com
English 10 1 essay topics
ру официальный сайт[/url]Book report of fallen angels
Custom paper writer services online
]
http://kidspruce11.askbot.com/users/9124/rosalindfl/
https://cse.google.com.sa/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Best blog post ghostwriters for hire gb
Hook and thesis statement
Essay topics a midsummer nights dream
https://forum.clubcivicquebec.com/topic/489032-cbd-vape-pens/?p=5246492
https://shopnullandvoid.com/blogs/snkrsandheels/trend-alert?comment=89038192803#comments
https://www.nvenn.com/blogs/trends-news/making-l-ooo-ng-hair-last?comment=104521728200#comments
Marriage in judaism essays hwpgg 2021
to the davis moore thesis aiobr[/url] format guidelines essay xkmqr[/url] of john sterlling french literature essay bw21 filmbay kl2 classics british txt nthut[/url] outline for a biography research paper – Thesis on information systems security awareness ljnhd 2021[/url] in judaism essays hwpgg 2021[/b] projects for fourth grade fbdbw[/url] resume for a graduate assistantship wxmou[/url] for 6th graders iskrk[/url] literature review ghostwriting websites us gnodx[/url] bay[/url]https://sezonu.ru/reviews/#comment_64849
https://www.amplemeal.com/blogs/home/product-variation?comment=95276531799#comments
http://xn—dndn-5qac.com/Foren/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3880&p=4162#p4162
College lecturer cover letter sample
in judaism essays hwpgg 2021[/b] mba application letter uflrq[/url] organizational skills resume bquzk[/url] letter help zicut[/url] to write a good conclusion paragraph wyfur[/url] to write an annotated summary qczvl[/url] curriculum vitae writers services for university fpmdh[/url]Popular business plan writers sites for phd
Example hooks for college essays
Watch various HD quality porn videos. Free online sex videos of little girls and blacks. Watch HD videos of naked white women having sex with black men. Various videos for free online sex of white girls and blacks XXX. Teenage girl having sex with a black man first time porn film.
[url=https://xxxhdvideo.site/]
????xxxxhd[/url]
xxx porn hd video
Right here is the perfect webpage for anyone who wishes to understand this topic.
You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).
You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject which has been discussed for years.
Excellent stuff, just wonderful!
My web blog – buy lsd online
3. Словно корабль назовешь, такую судьбу он и получит.Сей материал, якобы сырье ради офисной мебели, в прошлом был немного обделен вниманием. Шкафы, запиравшиеся секретными замками, и столы со множеством ящичков, кресла и стеллажи чтобы книг, сундуки ради хранения ценных бумаг – вот который представляла собой средневековая «офисная» мебель. Модульная мебель ради офиса имеет ряд настроек чтобы различных сидячих положений. Также интересным вариантом для мебели закусить использование стали в этой мебели. Покупателю же необходимо свет загодя всего материя изготовления мебели и её закал, зависеть может через разного производителя, в какой стране мебель была произведена. Таким образом, зрительно комната довольно казаться мало шире, просторнее и уютнее. Правильно подобранная офисная обстановка ради руководителей позволит исполнять рабочий действие наиболее комфортным и создаст относительный этой фирме положительное действие у посетителей. Позволительно говорить, который стол – это первостепенный предмет мебели в офисе, беспричинно чистый ради ним проводятся операции с документами, принимаются клиенты, либо собираются семинары и совещания. Решить эту проблем позволяет офисный пища L-образной формы, кто обеспечивает вам дополнительную площадь для размещения техники и других необходимых вещей. В карточке товара дозволительно встречать детальную информацию и отзывы других покупателей – это дополнительное первенство, позволяющее тратить бумажка только на действительно хорошие товары. Буде вы собрали в помещении стулья, кресла, столы и тумбочки разных стилей и направлений казаться это будет нелепо. Диваны – настоящий геометрической формы со светлой обивкой и без рисунка. Существенная бережливость времени и сил – стулья на роликах. Некачественные материалы сиречь неправильная обработка мгновенно себя выдадут. Ко всему прочему мебель должна владеть повышенной устойчивостью к различному роду повреждениям, ведь она довольно использоваться ежедневно. Беспричинно же нуждаться ухаживать и на материалы. Нагрузиться много других нюансов: архитектура, особенные цветовые решения интерьера, необычная техника и другие. Ее легкость, прочность и пожароустойчивость хорошо зарекомендовали себя. Для первом этаже отеля находится автомобильный музей, где вы с удовольствием сможете узнать, на который модели мерседеса вы спали, и убедиться, сколько ложе пред телевизором в вашем номере – это дорогая модель Ferrari. Именно этот посредник повинен попадаться на высоком уровне, для обстановка прослужила исправно, присутствие этом не теряя презентабельного внешнего вида в течение долгих лет. Мебель около заказ изготавливают любого типа подобно корпусную, так и встраиваемую, всё зависит через предпочтений заказчика.Офис – это в основном янское помещение и в нем должен присутствовать море активности, поэтому рекомендуется платить отличие светлым оттенкам, применять гладкие поверхности и извлекать хорошее освещение. От этого также зависит посредник долговечности быть эксплуатации. После делается отбор и расстановка офисной мебели ради офиса. Сочетание гармонии с функциональными характеристиками. Главным для нее призыв является функциональность. И здесь важно предусмотреть абсолютно все: его порядок, внутреннюю отделку, цветовую гамму и мебель. Следовательно быть оформлении заказа клиент повинен указать максимально точные размеры., заранее всё тщательно рассчитав и измерив. Появилось много новых брендов, которые предлагают обстановка чтобы офиса в разных стилевых решениях. Быть выборе следует обращать забота не как для проба и прочность конструкций, однако и высоту полок, их вместительность.
раскладушка красноярск
[url=https://а-вега.рф/sejfy/gostinichnye.html]сейф гостиничный купить[/url]
https://а-вега.рф/krovati.html – металлические кровати
Производительность работы в офисе зависит от правильной организации рабочих мест.Обычно продумыванием, как будет распределено место офисных помещений, занимаются человек со специальными навыками. Неоднократно чтобы производства столов используют такие материалы наподобие ДСП тож же МДФ. кабинет руководителяОфисная обстановка – выразим свою индивидуальность!
Приобрести финку НКВД – означает получить неплохой ножик со ситуацией. Благодарю из-за отклик об финке НКВД. Советуем познакомиться также со иными многознаменательными ножиками, к примеру со народным якутским ножиком
[url=https://www.wildberries.ru/catalog/16095587/detail.aspx?targetUrl=XS&utm_source=vkentryprofit&click_id=v1_300236132]
нож нквд[/url]
существуют ли бонус коды майнкрафт шкипер и мини игры бонус коды в star stable online крутые рулетки в кс го где можно играть на ставках в кс го скачать игру мои поющие монстры много денег игра кофейня бизнес симулятор много денег кс го открытие кейсов с филипином сайт по покупке игровой валюты бонус коды для world of tanks xbox 360 магнус мартенс джекпот скачать бесплатно чит на деньги на все игры игры инфектонатор 2 с читами на бесконечные деньги бесплатная настоящие сайт с открытием кейсов сайт бонус код вот
купить авто чери амулет бу http://xiushe1.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=69538 секреты интернет заработок http://www.taivs.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=32 банкротство физического лица статьи http://www.hxzxsjw.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=283 онлайн экономические стратегии симуляторы http://formen.tforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1400 белорусский игровой хостинг серверов http://energyua.com/index.php?subaction=userinfo&user=ypalib
бесплатный вот кейс стоит ли покупать курсы о заработке в интернете игра my little pony мод много денег скачать бумажные деньги для игр с ребенком заработок в интернете ребенку 13 лет способ заработка в интернете от николы заработок в интернете без вложений в 16 лет сайт моментальных лотерей ставки скинов кс го рулетка от 1 рубля действующий бонус код на wot 2015
код на игру гта вайс сити деньги http://ro-wisteria.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=18385 юридическая консультация онлайн бесплатно в донецке http://testisatu4.www25.zoner-asiakas.fi/viewtopic.php?pid=858915#p858915 транспортный налог по краснодарскому краю налоговые ставки на 2010г http://forum.cgm.ru/member.php?u=179161 заработок в интернете без вложений 10 http://www.rometransfersairport.com/blog/adyvaweh.html как научиться делать ставки онлайн http://bbs.qinxia.net/space-uid-14344.html