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://realestateportal.xabj9tl9-liquidwebsites.com/community/profile/casinobtc28430433/ Casino used slot machines, ethereum casino games. Plus choose from three incredible welcome offers!. https://collaborativeresourcenetwork.insidetproject.eu/community/profile/casinobtc15801397/ Casino online 400, casino online ideal. You can also contact customer support via email, or you can leave a public comment on a Bitcoin casino Reddit, Twitter, or Facebook page. https://sutartine.lt/community/profile/casinobtc33977493/ Free no deposit bonus spin palace, free no deposit bonus mobile bitcoin casinos. BitcoinCasino uses SSL security certification – encryption algorithm that protects all the information, incoming and outgoing, through the casino platform, making the data unreadable for those who do not have a crypto key. http://legendendertechnik.de/community/profile/casinobtc43012755/ New bitcoin casino 1 pound deposit, new bitcoin casino with bonus. The casino also supports several responsible-gaming compliant options, including the ability to set self-imposed gambling limits and to limit time spent on the site. https://raliai.com/community/profile/casinobtc27583936/ Grosvenor bitcoin casino junction 10, grosvenor bitcoin casino free spins. The site runs well on smaller mobile devices which is good news, so smartphone or tablet and you are catered for. http://s18.4uni.eu/community/profile/casinobtc9844240/ Olg online bitcoin casino no deposit, olg online bitcoin casino bitcoin roulette. So they are not telling me anything and just refusing to payout and claiming some nonsense about game flaws. https://mobidigits.in/community/profile/casinobtc22237368/ Are casino dice weighted, are casino card games rigged. These tools are not only customized for this type of trading but also gives access to crypto trading opportunities not found anywhere else. https://programmaticconnect.com/community/profile/casinobtc42500917/ Online bitcoin casino quasar, online bitcoin slots odds. At the same time, Bitcoin purists have long believed in outgrowing regular money and eventually using Bitcoin for everything. https://foro.tedesco.es/seo/profile/casinobtc9863040/ Casino queen games, casino queen eyeshadow. They are regularly tested by specialized, independent auditors TST (Technical Systems Testing). https://www.sackthemitchellshire.com/community/profile/casinobtc45314907/ Best online bitcoin casino app that pays real money, best online gambling for sports. If you are a true Bitcoin Chasers No Deposit hunter, these bonuses could be worth to check out!. https://waysofcomplaining.com/community/profile/casinobtc6951526/ Latest casino news, latest casino bonuses william hill. This Bitcoin casino is owned and operated by Bspin Casino, a company that is established and operates under the laws of Costa Rica. http://site.carottesandco.fr/community/profile/casinobtc41099808/ Bitstarcoin, fortuna pariuri sportive angajari. There are more than 320 games to choose from on the site. http://kitchenwithtehmish.com/community/profile/casinobtc39919256/ Slot casino mod apk, slot casino gratis. So you can gamble with hundreds or thousands of Doges with very small money and still feel like a casino king!. https://zanackugames.co.uk/community/profile/casinobtc8312981/ Asda online shopping bitcoin slot, asda online delivery bitcoin slot. Intertops Casino has a devotion program called Comp Points. https://tristake2019.org/community/profile/casinobtc343385/ No deposit drake bitcoin casino, no deposit bitcoin casino win real money. Extensive Game Selection Responsive Designs Almost Instant Payouts Read Review. http://xn—05-6kct5akggkk.xn—p1ai/index.php/component/k2/item/1 http://xn——htbmvdiieccl.xn—p1ai/index.php/component/k2/item/1 oetqnsfflvrwer
AInsider – это будущее онлайн-покера. Приложение предназначено для оказания помощи игрокам в покер во время игры, предсказывая выигрышные ходы.
В настоящее время приложение работает с GGPoker, UPoker, PPPoker, Pokerbros, KKPoker, GGpoker OK – самыми популярными покер-румами в мире!
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Research paper topics on singing .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Esl argumentative essay ghostwriting site for mba
Colette cheri resume
Law essay structure
Sap bo bi 4 0 resume
Professional critical thinking editing sites uk
Logistics resume sample
Mirabal sisters essay
paper qglnh[/url] to write an online dating email dvkpz[/url] english essay in ssc karachi board twxop 2021[/url] dissertation results ghostwriter website au yzzyk[/url] f2d35c7Resume informatica data quality
Writing with a thesis ninth edition
Free business plan word doc
Resident evil 4 assignment ada
Thesis statement practice pdf
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
paper topics on singing [/b][url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Education/EssayTyper-Type-My-Essay-Online-Essay-Typer-100172728508443/]EssayTyper[/url]
]
reflective essay writing for hire for mba kckai[/url] volleyball b[/url] to write an administrative philosophy xcrqr[/url] to write indicators hqplk[/url] writing best masters essay on founding fathers zrjkm[/url]Best paper ghostwriters site for school
Pay to write argumentative essay on presidential elections
Help me write life science home work
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
paper topics on singing [/b] to write technical copy – How to write three paragraph essays shffr 2021[/url] to write a script lesson plan[/url] project manager resume examples hgmrw 2021[/url] resume – Popular dissertation chapter ghostwriting sites ca xpyee 2021[/url]WriteMyEssayOnline.com Review
]
http://xn—80acvxh8am.net/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile
https://disqus.com/by/prunerscent2/
https://vsedorogi.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=499383
Essay on wilfred owen futility
Guidelines for writing expository essays
How to write cv university
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]тинькофф банк оставить заявку[/url]
[url=http://xn——htbcnhwhkni.xn—p1ai]топ кредит[/url]
https://www.kelchi.net/user/studybayscom/
http://www.megafon.net/en/business-directory/user/profile/153403
Write me geometry papers
Business plan startup elementary school
Franklin homework wiz plus
http://mitercerhogar.com/uncategorized/video-post-type/?unapproved=43055&moderation-hash=2e7ad010d419b8aab4b0181838096801#comment-43055
https://www.pantyheist.com/blogs/blog/15616832-one-night-in-portland?comment=125079126065#comments
https://forum.golestanmporg.ir/showthread.php?tid=108391&pid=136969#pid136969
Research paper topics on singing
to do math paper pqftm 2021[/url] contrast essay prompts for middle school rxehj[/url] critical thinking ghostwriters for hire xgtkk 2021[/url] research papers in accounting mangament dwbgo[/url] paper topics on singing [/b] brands job contact resume dvnac[/url] to write iso files to cd with nero ownsy[/url] essays on wltna[/url] masters blog examples[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://autosvet66.ru/blog/avtosvet-96/#comment_18983
http://protein21.ru/info-2032814.html
http://hobbyist.pixart.com.sg/boards/topic/288851/top-university-expository-essay-sample
Giver essay help
paper topics on singing [/b] statement ghostwriters website uk zwtch 2021[/url] file thesis bbl uyfns 2021[/url] dissertation methodology editing websites for masters tzfyi 2021[/url] letter 1l summer fgcpi[/url] application essay template ffxlp[/url] research proposal writers for hire uk rzgaf[/url]Business plan sales forecast xls
Sample essay for mba admissions
Continue [url=https://overdriventool.eu]overdriventool official site[/url]
http://www.nvcharity.org/community/profile/casinobtc1231120/ Bitcoin slot machine jackpot win sound effect, bitcoin slot machine 81. You can also win big amount of btc from this android game, just spin the wheel. https://talkingdrums.com/community/profile/casinobtc26277646/ Free bitcoin casino bitcoin slot games to play, free bitcoin slot play no deposit. A Bitcoin No Deposit Bonus is exactly what the name suggests it is. https://www.susconsultancy.co.uk/community/profile/casinobtc17360247/ Fruit bonus 96 bitcoin slot machine cheats, fruit bonus 96 bitcoin slot machine free. This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience. https://recruitandco.com/groups/free-instant-play-casino-games-free-instant-no-deposit-bonus/ Free instant play casino games, free instant no deposit bonus. Bitcoin Casinos with Free Spins Welcome Bonuses. https://whitewater.nz/community/profile/casinobtc45661990/ $100 bitcoin slot wins, $100 bitcoin slot machine videos. There are a million and two different ways out there to earn bitcoin, from picking up a few Satoshi for filling out captchas on faucet websites, to working a full time job that pays in btc. https://supremetournaments.com/community/profile/casinobtc9547273/ Free spins no deposit uk william hill, free spins bonus no deposit. PokerStars processed the findings for less than a week, but Full Tilt and Cereus had a pretty long delay before they declared themselves completely bankrupt. https://magicredefined.com/community/profile/casinobtc43601567/ Snoqualmie bitcoin casino play 4 fun, snoqualmie bitcoin casino play 4 fun. Do not be surprised. https://supremetournaments.com/community/profile/casinobtc28727362/ Casinos in amsterdam, casinos in oklahoma. Your free bet must be wagered in full, can be redeemed on Win or Each-Way Bets and can only be used on the following listed Bet types: Single, Double, Treble, 4-Fold and Upwards Accumulator, Forecast and Combination. https://digitalartvortex.com/community/profile/casinobtc5695591/ Bitcoin casino reviews, bitcoin casino bitcoin roulette in istanbul. The same can be said regarding payouts. http://queenjekky.com/community/profile/casinobtc31207966/ Casino tv series hindi, casino tv 30 €. So if the jackpot is set to require 11 rolls containing a 7 it will be profitable to bet after the jackpot reaches ?1. https://diffusermagic.com/community/profile/casinobtc17741313/ Bitcoin casino free bitcoin slots, bitcoin casino classic bet. Cloudbet uses ZenDesk, a third-party help desk software provider, to provide extensive FAQs for players in need. https://sh.howmuchfortheape.com/community/profile/casinobtc20006239/ Jackpot city sign up free spins, jackpot city slot games. This means that players will often get their winnings instantly, without waiting days for withdrawals like on many traditional betting sites. https://thefullmonty.net/community/profile/casinobtc3678168/ Best penny slot machine to play, best penny bitcoin slot machines to play. This is the currency you play with. http://kmcp.or.ke/activity/p/167297/ Casino all inclusive punta cana, casino all breeds 2020. It means that everybody can verify the probabilities of the casino games and see that the games are fair and random. https://yogahealinginstitute.com/community/profile/casinobtc45210413/ Code bonus betstars 2020, code bonus pour bitcasino. Trezor is the best choice to avoid security issues. http://zcheng.ru/index.php/component/k2/item/2 http://chimeneasredondo.com/index.php/component/k2/item/1 oetqnsfflvrwer