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 ?
Best expository essay editor for hire .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Xepersian thesis cls download
How to write year in chinese
Pay for my best cover letter online
Esl phd essay proofreading website for college
Essay on population growth and economic development
Type my world literature dissertation conclusion
State jobs resume builder
letter for electrical draftsman xactm 2021[/url] thesis 2005 jgvnr[/url] secret jlkia[/url] research proposal writer service online hdclf[/url] 219d3f2How to write cover letter of proposal
Cheap dissertation abstract writing sites for phd
Does 300 word essay look like
Cheap cheap essay ghostwriter sites for mba
How to write a casting call notice for models
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
expository essay editor for hire [/b][url=http://studybay-com.blogrenanda.com]studybay[/url]
]
term paper editing websites ca – Top dissertation introduction editing for hire for college mguys 2021[/url] blog post g[/url] templates fo[/url] letter office clerk sample[/url] thesis for character analysis gnodf[/url]Examples argument analysis essays
Architecture sustainable thesis
Cover letter examples for construction management
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
expository essay editor for hire [/b] report writer services uk kasgk[/url] you write a letter ymbpq[/url] my argumentative essay on shakespeare giyzw[/url] form sample – La laicit en france dissertation zpdpd 2021[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
RushEssay.com Review
]
https://cse.google.com/url?q=http://author24.ru.com
https://bom.to/j5J3tjShmAO2g
https://bookmarkstore.download/story.php?title=buy-essay-can-be-fun-for-anyone#discuss
How to make a short cover letter for a resume
Resume cover letter information
School essay on algebra
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]тинькофф банк оставить заявку[/url]
[url=http://ru-zaem.ru/]заем онлайн[/url]
https://www.google.co.ma/url?q=https://essaypro.me/
http://servizi.unionesarda.it/ssl/accountadmin.aspx?Returnurl=https://essaytyper.cm
Cheap dissertation chapter editing website usa
Pay for popular essays
Research paper help
http://matty90live.altervista.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=2134904#2134904
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/498044-esl-dissertation-abstract-ghostwriting-websites-au/page__gopid__1333966&#entry1333966
http://zhitomir.prombaza77.com/products/molokomer-10-l#comment_1339290
Best expository essay editor for hire
stars critical essay hbrth[/url] essay on transcendentalism by charles mayo ellis bftrp[/url] business plan rhrof 2021[/url] a leadership experience essay[/url] expository essay editor for hire [/b] term paper editor services uk dehmu[/url] plan for renting to relatives hgssb 2021[/url] account essays dsesz[/url] school essay ghostwriters sites for school pmwxd[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://forum.nerdcom.host/index.php?/topic/265022-cover-page-sample-for-resume/
https://pootersdiapers.com/blogs/pooters-diapers-blog/cloth-diaper-detergents-what-to-look-for-in-a-cloth-diaper-friendly-detergent?comment=124492415091#comments
https://cryptographybuzz.com/portsmash-hyper-threading-decryption-keys/?unapproved=539384&moderation-hash=62bb1d0f1b534e3f2306121ac17cf81e#comment-539384
Financial reporting analyst cover letter
expository essay editor for hire [/b] book review proofreading for hire usa ksmpj[/url] resume on web jgjvr[/url] research paper lioky[/url] vitae definition vs resume hegcu 2021[/url] school principal sample resume njmrc 2021[/url] thesis topics hmwuv[/url]College essay on mathematics
Sample descriptive essay writing
asus crystal sound 2ati tv wonder driverslords of the fallen cursebest doom bot champsif she laughs at your jokesdota 2 reborn custom gameswindows xp loading barrealtek 8812au windows 10 driver599 dollars in euromfc-j4620dw driver
[url=https://bit.ly/2SJaZTw]what is mirage driver
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3wIMzZ9]sony kdl-50w800b
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/2TwGcKb]orcs must die 2 dlc
[/url]
[url=http://www.grabr.ru/content/po-sledam-e-mail-rassylok-imya-sestra-imya/]angry birds bike revenge
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3vPUGTO]sniper ghost warrior 2 trainer
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/34yymlg]dragon ball z mini warriors game
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/2RcIYTU]project ascension launcher not working
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3fYbKjx]la noire side missions
[/url]
[url=http://mysuperblogsss.blogspot.com/2021/05/geometry-dash-download-windows-10_21.html]malwarebytes heuristic analysis keeps running
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/2SPEKlE]asrock g41c-gs manual
[/url]
civilization beyond earth purity
atheros ar8151 pci e gigabit ethernet controller
hyper light drifter steam cards
warhammer total war siege
minecraft new update pe 0.12.0
http://besttops2n.blogspot.com/2021/05/gl-20-download-windows-10results-for.html
https://bit.ly/3wNzi1y
http://secondtops.blogspot.com/2021/04/asus-rog-gr8-gaming-computer-is-made-in.html
https://bit.ly/2TD723h
https://bit.ly/3uLMwul
http://grabr.ru/related/legkii-sposob-vstavit-svoyu-reklamu-v-elektronnuyu-knigu/
https://bit.ly/3vEZ0oK
https://bit.ly/3vDBYyu
https://bit.ly/3penAuj
https://bit.ly/3fWFcqj
trendnet tk-803r
i work 09 serial number
dwarven mechanical right blade
philips photo frame firmware upgrade
spectrum tv apk mod
archer c3150 v1 firmware
m-audio m-track hub
lenovo ideapad 100s bios
asus sabertooth 990fx r3.0 drivers
mp navigator ex 5.1
call of duty ghosts achievements
asus m5a97 r2 0 bios update
wii friendly porn sites
microsoft 6to4 adapter windows 7
m-audio m-track quad
http://newintheworld123.blogspot.com/2021/05/getdataback-free-download-with-crack.html
11 system requirements [/url]https://bit.ly/3p4I8VZ
https://bit.ly/34G9N64
https://bit.ly/3wLQynL
https://bit.ly/3i7iXAp
https://bit.ly/3yYRkzs
https://bit.ly/3fK1hcC
https://bit.ly/2TsAlW5
https://bit.ly/2RXvhsk
https://bit.ly/2SQMQdX
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/стать лидером/]amd a10 4600m benchmark
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/2RPesQx]warlords of draenor gold farming
[/url]
[url=http://newnewsabout1.blogspot.com/2021/05/fujitsu-fi-6110-driver-windows-10.html]t5xe cfx-sli
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3uNeh5w]tap tap revenge 4 download
[/url]
[url=http://newintheworld1234.blogspot.com/2021/05/geforce-gtx-1050-ti-drivers-windows-10.html]amd radeon hd 8670d driver windows 10
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3vNrCMo]will it blend nokia
[/url]
[url=http://newintheworld123.blogspot.com/2021/05/get-windows-10-anniversary-update.html]konica minolta bizhub 600 driver
[/url]
[url=http://newintheworld123.blogspot.com/2021/05/gantt-chart-download-for-windows-10use.html]evo collaborator for outlook
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/34vVilr]htc m9 camera fix
[/url]
fast cash loans
cash advance
online loans
personal cash loans
payday loan advances
wd tv apps downloadz97-g55 sliepson pro cinema ls9600ecentrino advanced n 6205kb3200970 failed to installcreative muvo tx fmtoshiba satellite network controller driversinstall snort on macintel hd 4400 driversepson perfection 4870 photo
[url=http://newsfromtiranene.blogspot.com/2021/05/gparted-for-windows-10-downloadlive.html]sharp mx-c311 driver
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3vzc6DT]playstation 4 update 4.06
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/2SJJr0l]batman arkham knight patch download
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/blog/14037.html]htc 10 vs htc u ultra
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3peiQVx]panasonic kx mb781 driver
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3i5CxwZ]broadcom 2046 bluetooth driver
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/2RffGUR]0.12.0 minecraft pe download
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/3pbgzKy]how to reset firealpaca
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/2S3G9oH]how to enable google vr services
[/url]
[url=https://bit.ly/34F17wR]wwe 2k15 sting pack
[/url]
m audio audiphile usb
acer aspire 5736z drivers
sharp ar-208d driver
killer wireless n 1103
960gm/u3s3 fx
https://bit.ly/3fIpY9t
https://bit.ly/3wTVOpc
https://bit.ly/2Ra6Nff
http://newsfromtiranene.blogspot.com/2021/05/android-usb-driver-download-windows.html
http://grabr.ru/tegi/pozdravlenie/
https://bit.ly/3vIO3Ta
https://bit.ly/3vJRUPK
https://bit.ly/3fW9wkA
https://bit.ly/3vFg7Xv
https://bit.ly/3wN0j59
broadcom bcm43142 driver windows 10
pioneer fh-x730bs
hp 2000-329wm
what is elan input device
skyrim pre order bonus
lenovo system interface driver windows 10
acer aspire es1-512 drivers
paint.net add alpha channel
conexant high definition smartaudio 221 drivers
alien vs predator trainer
starcraft 2 wings of liberty trainer
atn x sight 5 18x
z370-e drivers
amd media codec package
dungeons 2 increase population
http://seominds.ru/tag/как начать день/
of sorrow 2 [/url] 17 beta 3 [/url] studio 9.12 free download [/url] mx m260 driver [/url] for mac 10.5 8 [/url] odyssey free download full version [/url] of fighters 2006 [/url] elitebook 2740p driver [/url] is a memory-management technique that [/url] 950 xl battery life [/url]https://bit.ly/3fIm7Jp
http://secondtops.blogspot.com/2021/05/gmod-free-download-no-steam-windows.html
http://mysuperblogsss.blogspot.com/2021/05/games-for-windows-live-download-for.html
https://bit.ly/3pbfdzp
https://bit.ly/3p7QTyD
https://bit.ly/3uKGPwD
http://seominds.ru/tag/результат/
http://seominds.ru/blog/8208.html
https://bit.ly/3g2H54K
pop over here [url=https://rentaremotecomputer.com]rent remote desktop[/url]
В 2021 году эта сумма составляет 36 238 рублей, а в следующем году она увеличится перед 40 874 рублей. И сиречь единожды долг выплачивать страховые взносы следовать себя присутствие отсутствии доходов от бизнеса многократно становится причиной снятия ИП с учёта.Позволительно ли закрыть ИП сообразно доверенности? ИП можно закрыть сообразно нотариально заверенной доверенности. А также нужно заверить у нотариуса подпись на заявлении сообразно форме № Р26001. В случае подачи заявления сообразно доверенности в форме заполняется раздел №4:Опять для сайте налоговой написано, который нужна справка из пенсионного фонда о часть, что вы предоставили всегда весть сообразно взносам. Только тогда же написано, который эта справка не обязательна — налоговая умеет исполнять внутренний требование в ПФР. Я эту справку ни разу не прикладывала.
<a href=ликвидация ооо с долгами цена>https://buhuslug.ru/likvidaciya-ooo/
[url=регистрация ооо фмр]https://buhuslug.ru/registraciya-ooo/[/url]
сколько стоит открыть ип – https://buhuslug.ru/registraciya-ip/
код ОГРНИП;Затем сдачи отчетов нуждаться в течение 15 дней уплатить после сотрудников страховые взносы, которые вы насчитали в РСВ и 4-ФСС.Платье заявления Р26001 утверждена приказом ФНС России от 25.01.2012 № ММВ-7-6/25@. В бланке только одна страница, где надо указать следующие сведения:ПСН – на этом режиме пропали деклараций, а акциз деятель платит в виде стоимости патента, т.е. перед конца срока его действия должен перечислять нужную сумму;