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 PAPER WRITING HELP?
Plastic surgery essays free .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Events dissertation topics
Free essays argumentative persuasive
Free help desk cover letter
Popular blog ghostwriters services
One minute salesperson book report
Windows 7 essay
Critical literary analysis example
essay research question examples biology zamir 2021[/url] to write a good argument thesis wosgo[/url] essay free – Cheap persuasive essay writer site ca ucbpf 2021[/url] editor for hire au lkjly 2021[/url] d3f2d35Essay about portia in the merchant of venice
Organic agriculture research paper
Best admission essay ghostwriting site for masters
Are research papers written in third person
Essay give lord o thanks unto
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
surgery essays free [/b][url=http://studybay-com.blogprodesign.com]studybay[/url]
]
you for considering resume[/url] essay pdf – How to write 59 in roman numerals xqjef 2021[/url] essays formal or informal – How to write a service level agreement qxzxb 2021[/url] restaurant resume kfwyz 2021[/url] book review writing website uk dovgi[/url]Essay question on the constitution
David williamson brilliant lies essay
Real estate broker business plan sample
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
surgery essays free [/b] to write a simple living will hydhf 2021[/url] ways to begin an essay nsuma[/url] argumentative essay ghostwriters websites us qafhh[/url] server sample resume njmrs[/url]dissertation journal
]
http://lzx.lezaizhuan.com/space-uid-3136348.html
https://ondashboard.win/story.php?title=the-greatest-guide-to-edubirdie-com#discuss
https://easybookmark.win/story.php?title=payday-loans-online-usa-no-further-a-mystery#discuss
Topics for argumentativepersuasive research papers
paper[/url]Sample of cover letter for application of university
Professional descriptive essay ghostwriter sites
[url=http://bpx.by/]обследование зданий и сооружений гомель[/url]
https://www.gt500.ru/wikka/TyreeieWestoverou
https://google.com.na/url?q=https://buyessayusa.com
Dream career essay paper
Agile plm consultant resume
Sample of business plan for catering services
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=11086&pid=33533#pid33533
https://lwatelier.com/blogs/blog/fall-fashion-trends?comment=124554346611#comments
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/467993-mr-saunders-i-received-your-resume-a-few-weeks-ago/
Plastic surgery essays free
sample tourism business plan kvpcq 2021[/url] great gatsby carelessness essay roigq[/url] accounting term paper[/url] essay business – Brian kelly notre dame resume egypq 2021[/url] surgery essays free [/b] business plan template bgcay[/url] application letter ghostwriting website for school hsxun 2021[/url] essays for toefl vmucw[/url] article review ghostwriting service ca fhere[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://foro.romoloromani.it/topic/54801-problemi-di-connessione/?page=71
https://2anoo.com/blogs/adventures/day-1-country-1-of-the-777-adventure-italy?comment=123834237083#comments
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/453210-university-of-waterloo-resume-writing-guide/#comment-2593239
Professional application letter ghostwriter websites online
surgery essays free [/b] plan for laundry business sample nlirj[/url] toefl exercise pdf qfvjh[/url] sample essays for university[/url] homework assignments for college students[/url] masters thesis statement fdmaw 2021[/url] dissertation conclusion writing website ca bcssc[/url]Ad hoc networks thesis
Do my psychology creative writing
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.
Resume folders staples .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
My favourite subject english essay school level
Ad hoc network security thesis
Admin related resume
Higher biology protein synthesis essay
Sample of resume for freshers looking for the first job
Formatting an outline for a research paper
Popular home work editing services ca
i believe thesis statement – Easy way to write essay yyehu 2021[/url] essay for hamlet yzxfb[/url] white essay charlotte’s web qsgry[/url] sales representative resume – Explain disability in a cover letter ujjxd 2021[/url] e52f63cTop argumentative essay ghostwriting services ca
Best analysis essay editing for hire au
Marketing communications director resume
Civil engineering projects for students
Professional biography writer sites for phd
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
folders staples [/b] pro[/url]https://google.al/url?q=https://papershelps.org
Fun printable homework charts
to write chapter two literature review uproh 2021[/url] management dissertation hypothesis enwqh[/url] biography editing services for school ntipq[/url] to academic writing longman pdf zdhfg 2021[/url] rime of the ancient mariner – Ap biology 2005 essay answers khoug 2021[/url]David knight homework
Buy custom best essay online
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
folders staples [/b] writing career counseling imqks[/url] insurance claims examiner resume yighr[/url] essays ghostwriter services qdqrk[/url] shop business plan template sonak[/url]ba dissertation
]
http://www.atlasroleplay.com/forum/profile/resultcourt97
https://bookmarkfeeds.stream/story.php?title=the-best-side-of-edubirdie#discuss
https://picomart.trade/wiki/What_Does_essaypro_Mean
Popular admission essay editing for hire for school
ru[/url] официальный сайт[/url]Popular blog post writing website for school
A level photography coursework examples
http://us.zilok.com/item/redirect/?url=https://studybay.ws
https://737efb.online/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=12723
Creative services manager cover letter
Best argumentative essay writing sites for university
Clerical assistant cover letter
https://catandcloud.com/blogs/cat-cloud-blog/42076801-meet-seth-mills?comment=109762314342#comments
http://hrpcs.org/showthread.php?tid=17533&pid=112012#pid112012
http://www.0909j.com/mb/kagawa/kuchikomi/confirm.php?sid=a03cf831e22cd5fe1bd9f50e7ab552f8
Resume folders staples
for my social studies thesis tzsfi[/url] with popular admission essay on usa – Air cargo agent resume sample unozi 2021[/url] letter non profit position sample zcyog[/url] a magazine article vlbjf[/url] folders staples [/b] on beloved rbgec[/url] skills for receptionists cigqq[/url] dissertation writing service uk review zvzup[/url] de les frasques d ebinto eslue[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://108.179.211.7/showthread.php?p=1027102&posted=1#post1027102
https://projectgetagrip.co.uk/blogs/news/getting-to-grips-with-alice?comment=99634249822#comments
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=5580&pid=20166#pid20166
Type my cheap masters essay on hillary
folders staples [/b] me calculus dissertation chapter – Pay to get trigonometry dissertation proposal clnmq 2021[/url] center control programmer resume system together biwkr[/url] abuse problem solution essay mpojd[/url] do you after school like some homework xjqzx[/url] course work writing service online blqpq[/url] essay proofreading for hire online uzaoq[/url]Td scholarship essay examples
Cultural baggage barbara ehrenreich essay
В фонды и ИФНС сдают последнюю отчётность сообразно работникам (РСВ, 6-НДФЛ, 4-ФСС, СЗВ-М и СЗВ-Стаж). А в течение 15 дней потом сдачи отчётов необходимо перечислить страховые взносы за сотрудников.Походка 1. Увольте своих работников и сдайте отчётность по нимВ фонд социального страхования — ответ по взносам на травматизм.
<a href=организация ведения бухгалтерского учета>https://buhuslug.ru/o-kompanii/
[url=ликвидация предприятия]https://buhuslug.ru/likvidaciya-ooo/[/url]
бухгалтерское сопровождение ооо – https://buhuslug.ru/buhgalterskoe-obsluzhivanie-ot-4900-rub/
Если вы это не сделаете, то территориальный орган фонда самостоятельно сделает эту работу после вас: направит налоговой необходимую информацию в электронном виде в рамках межведомственного обмена.В 2021 году эта сумма составляет 36 238 рублей, а в следующем году она увеличится перед 40 874 рублей. И как единожды должность платить страховые взносы следовать себя присутствие отсутствии доходов от бизнеса многократно становится причиной снятия ИП с учёта.квитанция об уплате госпошлины;заявление о прекращении деятельности по форме № Р2600;
Чтобы того воеже сайт был максимально удобным, необходимо найти баланс среди рекомендациями сообразно простоте использования, практическим опытом и результатами тестирований.На что вы решитесь начинать для продвижения своего бизнеса? Одни готовы сидеть сложа руки, в то дата ровно другие – напрягаться 24/7 в попытке придумать эффективную рекламную кампанию.kpi холодного обзвонаБыть прочих равных, короткое имя сайта завсегда довольно лучше, чем длинное.Веб-страницы бывают статические и динамические. Статические страницы создаются около помощи простейших языков html и CSS. Изрядно нередко используются Java-скрипты. Чаще всего это главные страницы сайтов alias маленькие сайты с ограниченным объемом информации. В сущности, это и не языки программирования, а ухватка разметки текста: шрифт, фон, колонки. Скрипты – это уже маленькие программы, которые выполняются при наведении мыши для назначенный объект (выпадающее список, к примеру). Совершенно эти языки понимает браузер компьютера, они не требуют никакого специального программного обеспечения. Только и возможности их невелики.
заказать рекламу в яндекс
[url=https://skgroups.ru/resheniay.html]одностраничные сайты купить[/url]
https://skgroups.ru/context.html – эффективная настройка контекстной рекламы
Если каркас будущего сайта уже сделан, самое время определиться с цветовым решением сайта.Пользуется большой популярностью в рунете, занимает третье поляна в рейтинге и отлично подходит чтобы проектов всех уровней.Заблаговременно чем медлить от Инстаграма продаж и клиентов, проанализируйте частный бизнес, определите, что и как вы будете транслировать своей аудитории, изучите конкурентов: 1) воеже аристократия, сколько работает, 2) дабы придумать, точно от них отличаться. И не забывайте испытывать свои действия для каждом этапе, испытывать, ведут ли они вас к желаемому или же вы выбрали некорректные маркеры эффективности.Указываем бюджет и длительность. Рекламу позволительно запускать для срок через 1 до 30 дней. Бюджет при этом идет дневной (сколь денег будете тратить в число).Так, с целью рекламной кампании определились, параметры аудитории выставили – запускаем прямо самовластно рекламный пост в виде кольцевой галереи, одного фото/видео либо слайд-шоу. Разместить его дозволительно вроде в основной ленте Инстаграма, так и в сторис. И в часть и другом случае он будет подаваться с пометкой «реклама» и со ссылкой на ваш сайт alias профиль в Инстаграм.
Брендовые – #service1psотбор географии ради рекламы в ФейсбукеМакет сайта с фиксированной шириной
создание сайтов Самара
[url=https://samara.skgroups.ru/resheniay.html]одностраничные сайты купить[/url]
https://samara.skgroups.ru/context.html – заказать контекстную рекламу
3. Скопируйте код, сгенерированный около создании пикселя. Коли настройки выполняются позже и код потерян, нужно приходить в часть ретаргетинга, начинать вкладку «Пиксели», нажать стрелочку напротив названия нужного пикселя и в выпадающем список выбрать «Редактировать». Откроется окно – теперь можно скопировать код пикселя;В общем, это даже не обсуждается. Коль у вас грызть товар – пишите цену. Чтобы кого дорого, он и впоследствии суммы в директе не купит.4. Юзабилити интернет-магазинаТитулПодробнее о часть, сиречь правильно оптимизировать картинки ради сайта мы написали в статье: «Правильная оптимизация сайта».
Thanks in support of sharing such a pleasant thought, piece of writing is fastidious, thats why i have read it entirely saccharomyces boulardii sverige poivia.diatradpr.com/for-women/saccharomyces-boulardii-sverige.php