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
https://modafinilreviewer.com/groups/no-deposit-bitstarz-no-deposit-bonus-codes-for-bitstarz/ No deposit bitstarz, no deposit bonus codes for bitstarz. Read Gambling Stats: Why Gamblers Rarely Win) Why bitcoin casinos are gaining popularity. http://site.carottesandco.fr/community/profile/bitstarz6608471/ Https www bitstarz com, https www bitstarz com ru. Once you do, mark the transfer as complete. https://vivianlms.ga/groups/bitstarz-21-bitstarz-no-deposit-bonus-for-existing-players/ Bitstarz 21, bitstarz no deposit bonus for existing players. When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. https://dvinem-site.ru/community/profile/bitstarz19092979/ Bitstarz free chip, bitstarz free coupon. New Hub Paper: Quantum key distribution integration with optical dense wavelength division multiplexing: a review. https://daso-games.com/community/profile/bitstarz7811590/ Bitstarz deposit bitcoin, bitstarz deposit bonus codes. See our top picks in the table below, or scroll down to read a review of each site. https://jeleniagora.adwentysci.org/forum/profile/bitstarz32513297/ Bitstarz deposit bonus code 2020, bitstarz deposit bonus codes. This combination of content has made them the go-to source for all-things documentary. https://www.ipeme.org/community/profile/bitstarz16010586/ 20 free spins bitstarz, bitstarz casino. How to pay for your cryptocurrency. https://quizmode.in/community/profile/bitstarz17506043/ Bitstarz promo code free, bitstarz promo code 2020. Welcome Bonus Up to 1 BTC A Complete Sportsbook Instant Payments Read Review. https://subtesty.pl/community/profile/bitstarz19260261/ Bitstarz casino 25 free spins, bitstarz casino no deposit bonus codes 2020. Bovada also delves into other areas such as sports, horse racing, blackjack, and even Bingo!. https://alpad.org.tr/community/profile/bitstarz41026359/ Bitstarz sign up free spins, bitstarz casino 30 free spins. If you can get a site that offers Litecoin as a payment option, then you can utilize yours to both withdraw and deposit from the site you choose. https://africanloaded.com/community/profile/bitstarz9840977/ Bitstarz casino promo code, bitstarz casino 20 free spins. No deposit bonus: 20 free spins. https://www.diamondclassicroleplay.de/community/profile/bitstarz24992435/ Bitstarz mobile casino, bitstarz bonus. How Much Is Bitcoin Sports Betting Expected to Grow?. https://ww-finance.ru/forum/profile/bitstarz14100231/ Bitstarz no deposit sign up bonus, bitstarz no deposit code. If you are looking to get trading Bitcoin – one of the top exchanges to start on is Gemini Exchange – the digital asset exchange started by the Winklevoss twins. https://allgodslove.com/community/profile/bitstarz17356560/ Bitstarz free spins, bitstarz free spins code. Software providers on Bitcoincasino range from well-known names like Betsoft and Habanero to more obscure developers like BGaming. https://zunda-hack.com/community/profile/bitstarz4995422/ Who owns bitstarz, https //www.bitstarz casino. You have 3 Attempts to chose the best gift. http://jzjprojekty.pl/component/k2/item/9 http://www.motraco.co.mz/index.php/pt/component/k2/item/7 oetqnsfflvrwer
http://www.decorativnayashtukaturka.ru/forum/profile/casinoen10407996/ Catalogue promo geant casino fenouillet, catalogue promo casino mouans sartoux. RHODE ISLAND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS GREATER LOWELL SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS FRAMINGHAM SOUTHCOAST NORTH SHORE TOURNAMENT RULES. https://theoffgridbarefootgirl.com/community/profile/casinoen33568788/ Poker star para android dinheiro real, poker star dinheiro real android. Permainan poker online di POKER1001 dilakukan secara online dalam situs yang terpercaya menggunakan sistem internet yang super cepat dan lebih efisien. https://adoreapup.com/community/profile/casinoen35962421/ Comfort inn near casino rama, comfort inn near foxwoods casino. In Texas Holdem there are four betting rounds. https://slipp3rywhenwet.com/community/profile/casinoen9952807/ Eve frigate with most mid slots, eve frigate most low slots. WIN BIG on real slot machine with HUGE bonuses. https://jnuacsf.org/community/profile/casinoen39679642/ Pots of gold casino, pots of gold free slots. Given the costs, choosing which provider to go with is obviously a decision you do not make overnight, and there are several key considerations to work through. https://test.mymaptravel.com/community/profile/casinoen43285444/ Poker and casino online usa, poker and casino chip from texas. I wonder if we could get the mods on here to post up a sticky for it. https://therealdizzydustin.com/community/profile/casinoen43877783/ Htc one m7 micro sd slot, htc one x memory slot. Cao thủ Poker gốc Việt Qui Nguyễn và đôi nét về anh. http://lafora.de/community/profile/casinoen35157444/ High 5 casino free slots android, high 5 casino real slots free. Before you consider purchasing an antique slot machine, it is important to find out what the laws are in the state you live in. https://vzkniga.ru/community/profile/casinoen46067635/ Kako se igra draw poker, kako se igra draw poker. Period of Use: 24 consecutive hours upon activation. http://www.epppc.co.uk/community/profile/casinoen20035198/ Mohegan sun poker room hours, mohegan sun casino online poker. Box 151, Physical: 401 Fort Rd. https://tradedontgamble.com/community/profile/casinoen46673915/ Choctaw casino poker chipd, choctaw casino pocola win loss statement. If you’re new to scuba diving, take the course that teaches you how to dive while exploring the coral reef with an experienced diving instructor. http://uroki.mirgorodtomsk.ru/community/profile/casinoen6196704/ Luckland casino no deposit bonus codes, luckland casino no deposit bonus codes. Accessibility – Roll-in shower. http://balance.org.za.dedi391.nur4.host-h.net/community/profile/casinoen38699674/ Crystal bay club casino concert, crystal bay casino north lake tahoe. As some of you would know, each poker player has their own betting requirements and desires, which are and always makes with land-based poker opportunities as you would need to adhere to the buy-in values and betting values of the table. http://www.coolplace.com.au/community/profile/casinoen4592084/ 5 dragons slot machine for android, 5 dragons slot big win. PC users can simply press their defined keyboard shortcut to quit once the result is seen. https://shadyhollowpack82.com/community/profile/casinoen35776339/ Hollywood online casino bonus credits, hollywood online casino promo code. Revenue from subscriptions and TownNews were strong and stable in the third quarter. https://tapizadosformas.com/es/component/k2/item/3 https://maxwellsda.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11:do-it-now-not-tomorrow oetqnsfflvrwer
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform. I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress content into it? Any help would be really appreciated! Relaxation herco.teswomango.com/relaxation/
http://www.googledirectory.it/blog/community/profile/bitz15473877/ Bitstarz darmowe spiny code, bitstarz darmowe spiny no deposit. Keep that in mind as we discuss the five main bitcoin wallet types you can use at BTC-friendly sportsbooks. https://football.dumcoach.com/community/profile/bitz46493966/ Bitstarz para yatırma bonusu yok codes for existing users 2021, bitstarz para yatırma bonusu yok. Top 5 Bitcoin Crypto Sports Betting Bookmakers. https://coachesmind.com/activity/p/35600/ Bitstarz 28.com, bitstarz bonus code tiradas gratis. Those looking to play with live dealers will be stoked to hear that Ezugi and Net Entertainment games are available. https://huertoadictos.com/doctorplanta/profile/bitz11772570/ Bitstarz no deposit bonus code 2021, bitstarz no deposit gratisspinn. This largely removes any doubts of foul play from the minds of the players, as it is more difficult to cheat whilst being viewed live. https://plancontingenciaunitec.com/community/profile/bitz20231487/ Bitstarz casino giri gratuiti, bitstarz casino 20 tours gratuits. These can be based online, stored in software on your PC, or on hardware like a USB drive. https://www.latesthotdeals.com/groups/%d0%b1%d0%b8%d1%82%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%b7-%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%b7%d0%b8%d0%bd%d0%be-bitstarz-deposit-bonus/ Битстарз казино, bitstarz deposit bonus. One of the greatest advantages of Bitcoin is its complete anonymity. https://ga-hope.com/activity/p/74290/ Bitstars welcome bonus, битстарз бездеп. Anyone can set up a Bitcoin wallet, fund it and deposit at online poker sites quickly and easily. https://survivorshub.com/groups/bitstarz-sister-casinos-bitstarz-sister-casino-usa-1642036449/ Bitstarz sister casinos, bitstarz sister casino usa. The site is owned by mBet Solutions, the same provider who runs Bitcasino. http://myoab.org/community/profile/bitz26296641/ Bitstarz coupon code, bitstarz coupon code 2021. However, it is quite useful to know how it works. https://forumoinformatyce.pl/community/profile/bitz25798739/ Bitstarz casino kein einzahlungsbonus codes 2021, bitstarz casino darmowe spiny. This may take several minutes or up to an hour in some cases. https://rtssg.com/community/profile/bitz38129055/ Bitstarz официальное казино, bitstarz žádný vkladový bonus 2021. They cover sporting events like the English Premier league and other major soccerleague. https://hawaiisecuritycameras.com/community/profile/bitz17109499/ Bitstarz 22, bitstarz legitimate. These companies may drop cookies on your computer when you use them on our site or if you are already logged in to them. http://www.footracedatabase.com/activity/p/190964/ Bitstarz bonus code australia, bitstarz bonus senza deposito 20 zatočení zdarma. Bonus tournaments and a full schedule of promotions encourage players to return and try their luck on an ongoing basis. https://agencijaefb.com/community/profile/bitz17563084/ Bitstarz ingen insättningsbonus 20 ilmaiskierroksia, bitstarz ingen innskuddsbonus 20 giri gratuiti. Although games a very addictive, I like pc games myself, but playing this type leaves almost no time for ordinary faucets. https://topbest.in/activity/p/87358/ Bitstarz opinie, bitstarz para yatırma bonusu yok 20 free spins. This is an excellent feature if you want to place a quick bet and the games are starting soon. https://www.gobiernosimonbolivar.gob.ec/index.php/component/k2/item/1 http://lokoml.cz/index.php/component/k2/item/4 oetqnsfflvrwer
mediatek mt7630e 802.11bgn wi-fi adapterparagon migrate os 5.0 reviewk95 save profile to keyboardhp 2000-219dxplant combos for nemos reefxperia play at&tasus a68hm k driverscall of duty gtaepson workforce 323 driveranalog devices adi 198x integrated hd audio
[url=https://bobrdobr.ru/people/annaryabova/]halo 5 req weapons
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/strakh/]mg 206 c usb
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/Заработок для новичков/]gigabyte ga-ma785gm-us2h drivers
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/content/doveritelnye-otnosheniya-s-podpischikami-zalog-uspeshnogo-biznesa-vebinar/]msi gp60 2pe leopard drivers
[/url]
[url=http://mysuperblogsss.blogspot.com/2021/04/amd-deliberately-ignores-smartphones.html]dragon age origins character creations
[/url]
[url=http://www.grabr.ru/content/kak-zarabatyvat-novichku-v-internete-moi-pozdravleniya-s-rozhdestvom/]riot bonus rp 2015
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/kak-borotsya-s-lenyu/]evic vtc mini firmware upgrade
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/samomotivatsiya/]rx 480 drivers windows 10
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/виды манипуляции/]vmware fusion pc migration agent
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/сетевой маркетинг в интернете/]robert dotson t mobile
[/url]
asus p8z77-i deluxe/wd
gear s2 water test
dell studio xps 9100 drivers
g3 phone t mobile
tp link tl wdn3200
http://grabr.ru/tegi/biznes-otnosheniya/
https://bobrdobr.ru/people/annaryabova/
http://seominds.ru/tag/как справиться с ленью. почему лень/
http://seominds.ru/tag/e-mail marketing/
http://seominds.ru/tag/как отказаться от рассылок/
http://seominds.ru/tag/лень матушка/
http://seominds.ru/tag/млм бизнес в интернете/
https://ukirilla.ru/neobkhodimoe-kachestvo-lidera-kotoroe-priblizit-vas-k-uspekhu-v-2011/
http://grabr.ru/tegi/kak-preodolet-len/
http://newnewsabout1.blogspot.com/2021/05/ftp-software-download-for-windows.html
dell wireless 1705 driver 802.11b/g/n download
hp mediasmart server recovery disc iso
hercules dj control air software
samsung dvd writer sh-224 driver download
hp photosmart c4700 software
football manager 2016 mobile
dragon age inquisition therinfal redoubt
windows 10 build 10558
lenovo thinkpad t430s drivers
what is toshiba book place
maps for minecraft pe tom bailey
amd radeon 7560d drivers
ricoh aficio sp 3500n
amd overdrive thermal margin
samsung ml-1430 driver