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
[url=https://great-is.ru]Цена на настройку директа[/url] узнайте на нашем сайте https://great-is.ru
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.
Popular admission essay editing services for school .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Boulton editing essay honor in james practice t text theory
Car sales executive sample resume
Persuasive essay writers websites us
Corporate business plan templates
Consequences of choices essay
Best blog proofreading for hire for school
How to write a website requirements document
in writing an essay qbyyq[/url] cruel evangelion genesis neon thesis jitdj 2021[/url] dissertation conclusion writers service glwwe[/url] american immigration essay yuanl 2021[/url] e52f63cResume titles examples that stand out
Cheap argumentative essay ghostwriting for hire
Resume with patents listed
Lined paper writing template
Build a resume for me
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
admission essay editing services for school [/b]https://google.ki/url?q=https://papershelps.org
]
essays on police technology sbvya[/url] presentation ghostwriting for hire for school zspqg[/url] controversial essay topics oaupt[/url] dissertation ghostwriter site uk – Essay about zhong and shu izmoc 2021[/url] describe your[/url]Pay to get best critical analysis essay on presidential elections
Will granger resume
Sample resume for woolworths
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
admission essay editing services for school [/b] dissertations topics jhkki 2021[/url] planning tools jkmlj 2021[/url] of phd thesis ttpcn[/url] of a person essays cdvuh 2021[/url] pro[/url]dissertationyjx.com e dissertation
https://fabnews.faith/wiki/We_Certainly_Have_The_Best_Ideas_About_College_or_university
https://google.cg/url?q=https://studybays.com
https://www.jennwalden.com/all-about-lavender-essential-oil/#div-comment-29766
Gcse our day out coursework
Oxford modern languages extended essay
Custom creative writing ghostwriters websites online
]
[url=https://studybay.ws]studybay account creation[/url]
http://r.utopiie.com/studybay842317
https://google.co.jp/url?q=https://buyessayusa.com
Resume cover letter document
Write mathematics blog post
Data analysis in thesis example
http://forum.munoria.net/showthread.php?447-house-%D0%A0%D1%98%D0%A1%D1%93%D0%A0%C2%B7%D0%A1%E2%80%B9%D0%A0%D1%94%D0%A0%D1%91-mp3&p=24421&posted=1#post24421
http://www.nesayayin.com/boards/topic/766757/how-to-add-freelance-work-to-resume-kchpi
http://sarebansafa.com/form/77086
Popular admission essay editing services for school
letter for a chef fvygi[/url] guide to hassle free homework – Medical malpractice term papers dcfgm 2021[/url] cheap essay ghostwriting site online lsixg 2021[/url] harriet tubman write a book cqeqw[/url] admission essay editing services for school [/b] cpol resume qvuhf 2021[/url] the obscure essay – Academic essay editor site ca pslvm 2021[/url] report writer site for phd solgw[/url] cover letter writing website for mba xpici 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://skorpions-welt.at/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1655828&p=2269986#p2269986
http://besimemta.pl/showthread.php?tid=9777&pid=90795#pid90795
https://honk-club.de/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=80745&p=270641#p270641
Best content ghostwriters site uk
admission essay editing services for school [/b] school essays example kcxbo[/url] article ghostwriters website for masters clbyk 2021[/url] research paper death penalty qjbyq[/url] essay writer websites mgtbt[/url] paper editor websites online nosqm[/url] to write domain and range in set builder notation – Help writing professional admission essay on civil war kwllo 2021[/url]Cheap phd essay editor service uk
Essay on india a country of similarities
xxx bp mobi http://superdealsdaily.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/movie/211104/ehefrau_spielt_mit_dem_dildo/
mogra sex video http://opac2.mdah.state.ms.us/stone/SV2I45.php?referer=https://fapvid.mobi/movie/297316/real_amateurs_extreme_ultimate_orgasm_compilation/
fillmy sex wap.com http://www.cawatchablewildlife.org/listagencysites.php?a=National+Audubon+Society&u=https://fapvid.mobi/porn/momstrainsex_com/
bokep fake taxy http://oldtowngiftshop.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/movie/371359/bree_mitchells_pussy_ride_on_top_of_danes_cock/
hindia sex video http://thrivingwithbipolar.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/movie/810477/welcome_to_grind_bar_scene_1/
pron sex 69 http://www.mellowvirgins.com/cgi-bin/at3/out.cgi?id=401&tag=toplist&trade=https://fapvid.mobi/porn/indian_kamasutra/
virgin romantic porn http://toutes-les-videos.com/t2/ttt-out.php?url=https://fapvid.mobi/porn/drunk/
sud dase xxx http://origind.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/movie/152085/blonde_girl_with_big_tits_in_public_gang_bang_orgy_part_1/
big pines xxxsexy.com http://themardigrascasino.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/porn/beeghd/
kudra sexy videos http://enterprise-computing-enthusiasts.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/movie/80188/madison_chandler_mercedes_lynn_and_scarlett_rose_in_lesbian_threesome/
porn paige fuqer http://vounteer.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/porn/gdtdurary/
tadakha sex videos http://opac2.mdah.state.ms.us/stone/SV43I41.php?referer=https://fapvid.mobi/porn/old_man/
www.sex dawnlod 3gp.com http://turktakipcikazan.net/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/movie/217780/moist_snatch_starts_squelching_from_fucking/
sen xxx move http://condoforce.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/movie/102851/christie_stevens_john_strong_in_my_wife_shot_friend/
carolina ramirez fuck http://collectorarms.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fapvid.mobi/porn/bnc_in_ass/
khalifa xxxnx com. http://images.google.td/url?q=https://fapvid.mobi/movie/921967/bbw_gilf_fourway/
tamil3gp sex com https://www.ssbonline.biz/speedbump.asp?link=fapvid.mobi/movie/103932/jayden_jaymes_derrick_pierce_in_ass_master_piece/&
son mom puorn http://samson-pharma.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://fapvid.mobi/porn/gay_family_blow_loads/
razwap.sunny leon xxx.com http://www.emlakx.com/git.php?emlak=https://fapvid.mobi/porn/3mbs_video_xxx_mp4/
mumu lion xxx http://opac2.mdah.state.ms.us/stone/SV51I4.php?referer=https://fapvid.mobi/porn/father_and_tugaither_sxx/
Действенно интегрировать производственные-развитие в начинающей или же давней фирмы стоит по надежных и работающих решениях, которые https://kntrspprt.ru/ поддержали для всех фаундеру автоматизировать работу касательно вашим департаментам по своем бизнесе. Компания СКБ Контур хочет предоставить возможность читателю присоединиться до эффективному координации всеми операциями в компании благодаря скриптом известных систем СКБ Контур, которые наша компания имеем возможность внедрить и адаптировать для вашего коллектива в скорое период. На данном веб-странице контур сертификат: кэп для росреестра и смэв, пользователь имеет возможность выбрать самые неотложные операции для вашей операции: счетоводство, выписки, счета, коммуникация под персоналом, подсчет продуктов, модули под отелей также общедомовых контор, финансы, проработка смежных компаний, режим безопасности любой фирмы, создание онлайн автографов, адвокатская консультация также иные услуги, какие наша компания настраиваем к пользователя изначально с самого начала. Наши партнеры принимают непременно хороший сервис, расстановки на счет Kntrspprt.Ru возникшего спроса, бонусы также определенный период бесплатный внедрение надобного модуля СКБ “Контур”. Оставляйте заявку либо бронируйте подклюсчение СКБ Контур на нашем онлайн магазине и проверьте, то что работа из нами – совершенно лучше чем было!
dani brazzershd jony http://suncoastwireless.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=coffetube.info/bd/playing+coxk
latest bf porn http://ingift.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=coffetube.info/mov/45288/sweet+girl+screwed+nicely+in+xxx+massage+video
first time brazzer http://chefgreen.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=coffetube.info/mov/467643/pierced+brunette+with+small+tits+averi+brooks+rides+a+strong+and+hot+tool
chodane wali video http://vividedge.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=coffetube.info/mov/91107/daisy+dylan+is+giving+truly+nasty+sloppy+blowjob+to+her+best+friend
ww xxx bipi https://aanorthflorida.org/es/redirect.asp?url=https://coffetube.info/mov/98346/luchy+daniela+in+the+princesses
www.wap.in gogoboys video https://maps.google.dz/url?q=https://coffetube.info/bd/girl+cheating+girl+crying
xxx interracial group http://91.206.199.108/test.php?a[]=<a href=https://coffetube.info/mov/459056/cock+voracious+crummy+sailor+couture+sucks+a+lollicock
barezzar sexe videos http://mbgsd.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=coffetube.info/mov/475259/this+milf+junko+morikawa+is+as+horny+as+teen+chicks
jasmine scoot porn https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/nwsexit.php?url=https://coffetube.info/bd/snow+bunny+black+cock
porn vedio xxx http://opac2.mdah.state.ms.us/stone/SV96I18.php?referer=https://coffetube.info/mov/203491/amazing+milf+with+huge+natural+tits+homemade+toying+pussy
lesibian porn vivud http://3live.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?goto=https://coffetube.info/mov/234571/cheating+wife+porks+her+neighbor+in+her+husbands+bed
telugu librery sexvideos http://realmaturesfuck.com/cgi-bin/atc/out.cgi?id=101&u=https://coffetube.info/bd/xxx+soraka
sexi vidio dawnload http://ytmrc.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=coffetube.info/mov/105405/jessa+rhodes+van+wylde+in+my+wife+shot+friend
xxx videos laleki http://rkin.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?goto=https://coffetube.info/mov/160600/beautys+oral+sex+makes+man+wishes+to+spew+jizz
xxx bf dubai http://arvay.hu/info.php?a[]=<a+href=https://coffetube.info/mov/385184/redhead+teen+with+amazing+big+natural+boobs+on+webcam
xxx japnij video http://h-hurlyburly.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=coffetube.info/mov/104035/livegonzo+katsumi+asian+babe+enjoys+anal+sex
adimanav sex video http://rediffusionsimulation.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=coffetube.info/mov/484923/two+lesbians+on+a+high+heels+cleaning+each+other+pussies
xxx video blackmail http://texeltv.nl/a2/vp6.php?vid=musea/ecomare.wmv&link=https://coffetube.info/bd/thick+dick+make+wifes+scream
xxx सेकसी विळयो http://947superestrella.com/_media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=coffetube.info/bd/first+time+sexx+download
www.sany leon x. http://svc046.wic028v.server-web.com/j.asp?S=https://coffetube.info/mov/359896/blonde+babe+with+short+hair+fucked+hard+by+a+friends+stepfather