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
http://porova.altervista.org/forum/profile/ana2134470079/ Taking bcaa while cutting, taking bcaa while cutting. Have A Personal Story About Steroids?. https://mnherpsoc.org/forum/profile/ana2116071336/ Fat burning drink supplements, fat burning tablets reviews. This can happen because the chemical structure of certain anabolic steroids is converted to the female hormone estrogen by a chemical reaction in the body. http://www.isimapro.com/soporte/community/profile/ana2130366918/ Steroids price in bangalore, steroids price in nepal. Other complications include cataracts, abdominal striae, increased pregnancy-related weight gain, premature rupturing of membranes and higher risk of infections after childbirth. https://tamaraleekane.com/luckycharms/profile/ana213413951/ Steroids for muscle gain fast, steroids for your back. He is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and currently practices at Central Coast Allergy and Asthma in Salinas, California. https://heidijdarman.com/community/profile/ana2114957167/ Steroids vs creatine, steroids vs nonsteroidal. Study Shows Long-Term Use May Have an Impact on Heart Pumping Function. https://unesco-ecw.avcn.fr/forums/forum/best-hotel-wordpress-theme How to buy anabolic steroids in canada, how to take clenbuterol for cutting. Long-term side effects of steroids: If steroids are taken daily, for long periods of time, they can cause adrenal gland suppression. https://trungtamchetao.com/community/profile/ana2134293009/ Pre workout shake cutting, pre workout while cutting. Some light exercise each day may also help. https://univers-startup.ma/forum/profile/ana212627/ 1 andro prohormone, 1 andro prohormone review. Frequency not reported : Acne, acneiform eruptions, allergic dermatitis, alopecia, angioedema, angioneurotic edema, atrophy and thinning of skin, dry scaly skin, ecchymosis and petechiae (bruising), erythema, facial edema, hirsutism, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, lupus erythematosus-like lesions, perineal irritation, purpura, rash, striae, subcutaneous fat atrophy, suppression of reactions to skin tests, telangiectasis, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria, hypertrichosis [Ref] Hepatic. https://ww-finance.ru/forum/profile/ana2121144831/ Trenbolone tabletten, steroid cream for body odor. It’s almost a daily occurrence in the world of sports and fitness where someone gets arrested for selling steroids. http://balajiconsortium.com/balajiblog/profile/ana2126571259/ Steroid use heart problems, steroid use lifespan. The finding suggests that many years of anabolic steroid use weakens the heart more than has been previously recognized, says cardiologist and study researcher Aaron L. https://smarthomefeed.de/forum/profile/ana2112069522/ Steroids can you drink alcohol, steroids can you drink alcohol. Likewise, the drug sometimes results in cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disorder that causes hypertrophy or abnormal enlargement. http://curious101.org/forums/topic/steroids-injection-steroids-injection-side-effects/ Steroids injection, steroids injection side effects. The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms usually correlate with the length of time that a person was taking prednisone, as well as the size of their regular dose. http://fort-raevskiy.ru/community/profile/ana2133047915/ Trenbolone mix 300, trenbolone mix 300. Even in the case of Cortisone Injections, they don’t cure the inflammation and pain, but only mask it. http://xn—80ahcmtdoyt.xn—p1ai/community/profile/ana2124946666/ Prohormone testosterone, best tren cycle for cutting. Action has been taken against illegal online distributors who sell steroids without valid prescriptions, but an ongoing problem is that you can take one site down and another pops up. https://tamaraleekane.com/luckycharms/profile/ana2119202631/ Testosterone pills prohormones, testosterone pills prohormones. Your physician or surgeon may not feel you need to take the extra steroid at the time of surgery, but if they know you have been on corticosteroids they can watch you more carefully after surgery. http://exemplasrl.eu/component/k2/item/6 http://mv-schwenningen.de/index.php/component/k2/item/3 oetqnsfflvrwer
http://jameshollis.com/community/profile/sarms31733607/ Testo max original, testo max walgreens. It is always the best option to buy steroids from online sources compared to purchasing them from a local dealer if you have ever wondered. http://youngyoungqueen.com/community/profile/sarms1919366/ Lyrics max herre vida, lyrics max romeo. The great part is that the recommended source to buy steroids online is verified on legitimacy and you can enjoy buying steroids online. https://beatboxwave.com/forums/topic/supplement-for-tren-cycle-supplement-for-tren-cycle/ Supplement for tren cycle, supplement for tren cycle. Probably the mos t unpleasant Anabol side effects are psychological. https://autobrew.com.au/activity/p/37337/ Andarine vision side effects, andarine vision side effects. The best steroids for fat burning include T3, Cardarine, and Clenbutrol. http://www.ayuda-informaticos.net/community/profile/sarms43264430/ Dianabol effet, dbol methandrostenolone. You must carry on exercising and training to reap results. https://youthengedi.com/community/profile/sarms5184529/ Cardarine (60 tabletes) dragon, cardarine (60 tabletes) dragon. Some of the side effects that come with the HGH include swelling, high cholesterol levels, numbness, Carpel tunnel syndrome, and muscle, joint, or nerve pain. http://www.lordredumammouth.net/community/profile/sarms36692347/ Ligandrol ibutamoren stack, ligandrol ibutamoren stack. Without question, most who use Dbol will do so for off-season purposes, and in most cases, it will be to kick start a new growth phase. https://foro.tejidosymanualidadescicys.store/community/profile/sarms28997404/ Andarine s4 side effects, andarine s4 magyar. While it affects some people, it may not in another. https://autobrew.com.au/activity/p/39539/ Best steroid cycle for a beginner, best steroid cycle for endurance. Different steroids provide different service: ’ For fat burning- Cutting steroids. https://forttechonline.com/activity/p/36313/ Sarm cycle guide, sarm cycle for cutting. Of course, the amount will be regulated, and the type of anabolic steroid available to you will be rather limited. https://elfriendacademy.com/activity/p/132209/ Ligandrol sarm side effects, ligandrol sarm dosage. Anabolic steroids change the amount of a type of protein made. http://yukisuperkingred.com.vn/forums/profile/sarms35152377/ King kong sarm s23, king kong sarm s23. If blood flow to the brain is blocked, a stroke can result. https://www.blattgefluester.at/community/profile/sarms38820843/ Cardarine side effects, cardarine side effects acne. They include: ’ Anadrol ’ Anavar ’ Arimidex ’ Dianabol ’ Proviron. http://vespaoldies.de/community/profile/sarms8904594/ Deca durabolin to heal, deca durabolin gym. Higher doses are not uncommon in some hardcore circles, you can easily find someone taking up to 100mg per day, but such doses cannot be recommended. http://kmcp.or.ke/activity/p/173367/ Deca durabolin prezzo, deca durabolin buy uk. No one wants to lose their money in a Dianabol purchase or end up with anything other than what they assume they’re paying for. http://garagedoorrepairwebsterma.com/index.php/component/k2/item/7 http://cavanaughchurch.com/index.php/component/k2/item/4 oetqnsfflvrwer
https://digiofficelab.com/activity/p/43283/ Игровые автоматы играть бесплатно чужие, игровые автоматы леди шарм играть. На сайте может увлекательно проводить свой досуг любой геймер. https://bexraven.co.uk/community/profile/casino42658124/ Игровые автоматы играть бесплатно интересные, игровые автоматы на академической. Это касается абсолютно всех казино и связано с тем, что азартные игры в нашей стране запрещены. https://etizolamreviewer.com/activity/p/10661/ Казино вулкан xyz зеркало, казино вулкан игровые автоматы онлайн азартные и. Надежный клуб для азартных, целеустремленных и оптимистичных. https://tappalm.com/activity/p/109575/ Играть онлайн автоматы пирамиды бесплатно, играть онлайн в автомат базар играть бесплатно и без регистрации. Иногда приходится немного подождать, поскольку каждая операция тщательно проверяется. https://laureacademy.com/activity/p/180611/ Игровые автоматы super jump бесплатно играть, игровые автоматы купюроприемники jcm ук. Для получения нужно пополнить счет всего на 1000 рублей. http://aerobatics.tillee.com/community/profile/casino13996332/ Казино рулетка ставки, казино рулетка россия. Играть бесплатно на игровых автоматах Азино 777. http://jameshollis.com/community/profile/casino32625855/ Игровой автомат черепаха, игровой автомат moorhuhn играть без регистрации. Профессионалы тоже играют в них на деньги. https://acoleindustries.com/activity/p/13287/ Самые хорошие игровые автоматы, самые хорошие игры в игровые автоматы. Прочитайте приведенные далее шаги, чтобы научиться облегчать себе игру и победоносно проходить ее. https://diabetcontrol.com/community/profile/casino21848960/ Игровые автоматы играть бесплатно в алькотраз, игровые автоматы на 3. Выбирайте на свой вкус, никаких ограничений не существует!. http://theshelterandstorm.com/community/profile/casino7020893/ Игровые автоматы алькотрасс, игровые автоматы в клубе вулкан. Лудоману будет выслано уведомление. https://top5toselect.com/streams/p/1159/ Казино супер слотс онлайн казино, казино супер слот игровые автоматы играть бесплатно онлайн. Cтарейшее и знаменитое казино для русских. https://automotiveplugin.com/activity/p/49525/ Вулкан казино вип, вулкан казино клуб черкассы марина стриптиз. Но принцип остался прежним: одинаковые символы ишрать 3 барабанах должны выстроиться в одну линию. https://coachesmind.com/activity/p/29851/ Вулкан россии игровые автоматы, вулкан россии играть. В клубе отлично разработана система бонусной политики, она позволяет радовать гемблеров отличными новостями о бонусах и акциях игрового клуба. https://acemumt.cl/community/profile/casino9540735/ Игровой автомат пробки играть бесплатно без регистрации онлайн, игровой автомат гаминатор вулкан. Гемблеры могут запустить 1000 аппаратов от лучших и именитых провайдеров, предоставляющие качественней софт. http://www.ceas-vendee.fr/new/forum/profile/casino44759032/ Купить игровой автомат гараж, купить игровой автомат в спб. Создать игровой счет в казино Адмирал можно за считанные секунды. http://americanentranceservices.com/index.php/component/k2/item/4 http://mdc.gov.sd/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=131:%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-eng&Itemid=455&lang=en oetqnsfflvrwer
http://bakuchi-dancers.net/community/profile/casino3486243/ Скачать тренировочный зал рулетка кази, казино вулкан в кронштадте. С ассортиментом и условиями начисления поощрений можно ознакомиться в разделе «промо». https://amazingcareassist.com/community/profile/casino1501482/ Игровые автомат алмазы играть бесплатно и без регистрации, игровые автомат сейфы 2. Чтобы начать, кликните на логотипе слота Демо. https://www.consultoriafluir.cl/activity/p/36969/ Эмулятор игровые автоматы i, эмулятор игровые автоматы резидент. Без этого даже чат будет не доступен. https://odgovor.mk/forum/profile/casino18925418/ Адвантивная игра казино, адвантивная игра в казино. Вулкан Удачи официальный сайт. https://boiseaeros.clubpack.org/activity/p/109605/ Играть в игровые автоматы бесплатно и без регистрации обезьянки, играть в игры казино онлайн бесплатно. Новый бандитский слот в Frankcasino. https://thefclub.co.uk/community/profile/casino16079419/ Игра резать фрукты играть бесплатна, игра резать фрукты чтобы можно было играть. Опытные игроки тоже могут получать приятные вознаграждения за активность на ресурсе. https://www.underwaterengineering.com/activity/p/90433/ Играть бесплатно в игровые автоматы вулкан 777 на деньги, играть бесплатно в игровые автоматы вулкан чукча. Но нас выбирают не только за это!. https://tamaraleekane.com/luckycharms/profile/casino23739609/ Бандиты игровые автоматы 3, эльдорадо казино. В игре этот знак соединяет сразу два служебных элемента: скаттер и дикарь. https://ln-me.co/activity/p/36484/ Самый самый казино онлайн, бонусы в фараон казино. Вас ждут обычные и делюкс-версии популярных слотов, стандартные выигрыши и возможность поучаствовать в дополнительных призовых раундах, различные бонусные опции и риск-игры. http://jiovana.com/activity/p/127894/ Топ казино сайтов, топ казино лучшие онлайн казино. А помочь в этом вам помогут бонусы нашего клуба: за регистрацию, первый депозит, высокую активность, приглашение друзей, участие в турнирах. https://www.connectfiji.com/activity/p/2320/ Игры онлайн автоматы играть бесплатно 777, игры онлайн бесплатно вулкан. Выбрав надежное онлайн казино из нашего топ, вы можете играть и не переживать о выводе выигранных средств. https://spiritforumproject.tokyo/community/profile/casino39188488/ Собрать фрукты играть онлайн, собрать фрукты играть. Я стал интересоваться игрой в интернете, надеясь найти что-то похожее на именно те автоматы, которые были раньше. https://iasa.academy/activity/p/10806/ Играть в игровые автоматы 2000 годов, играть в бесплатные автоматы игровые алькатрас. На нашем портале поклонников азартных развлечений ждут первоклассные игровые автоматы от лучших мировых производителей. http://xn—24-slclfrb9c.xn—p1ai/forum/profile/casino28441335/ Играть в игру игровые автоматы fruit cocktail, играть в игровые автоматы бесплатно и без регистрации свиньи копилки играть. Но тех, кто внес персональные данные в регистрационную форму на официальном сайте и пополнил личный счет, Адмирал 777 казино щедро вознаграждает золотыми монетами и дополнительными бонусами. https://ncfunding.pl/forum/profile/casino2007757/ Игровые автоматы новости ижевск, игровые автоматы fruit cocktail играть бесплатно. Автомат Fruit Cocktail (Клубнички) бесплатно онлайн. https://hemptemple.org/blogs/news/whats-all-this-manifesting-about-eh http://comprensivotoritto.it/index.php/component/k2/item/1 oetqnsfflvrwer
When some one searches for his necessary thing, so he/she needs to be available that in detail, so that thing is maintained over here. Trends tracal.teswomango.com/trends/