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
If you wish for to improve your experience just keep visiting this web page and be updated with the most recent news posted here. Music boorst.sewomabest.com/music/
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Cheap biography editor websites for masters .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Obeying a lawful order essay
Discussion essay introduction examples
Resume formart
Top school essay writing service uk
Popular book review ghostwriting site au
Example of a lab report written in apa format
Borg phd thesis myxobacteria salmonid
occupational safety and health xlkgf[/url] dissertation abstract editing sites ca rlfig[/url] annotated bibliography proofreading website kspyv[/url] on education czhto[/url] e52f63cBeginning teacher cover letter
Sample resume format for marriage
Team working skills resume
Resume sample for freshers with internship
Contrast essay thesis statement
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
biography editor websites for masters [/b][url=http://studybay-com.blogacep.com]studybay[/url]
]
school graduate resume objective – Education courses business plan ccufc 2021[/url] in dissertation writing wxbzg 2021[/url] writing composition bibliography gypxl[/url] imp that ate my homework onprr[/url] your resume xozhf 2021[/url]How to write puffter in japanese
Homework sheets for 1st grade
Covering page business plan
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
biography editor websites for masters [/b] speech ghostwriting service for masters tykvw 2021[/url] manger resume – Expository essay ghostwriting services au happe 2021[/url] cover letter international business joipr[/url] creative writing editor websites us tbrpx[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
j rajnauth dissertation
]
https://forum.mesign.com/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=554120
http://www.huaijiuyingshi.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=435354
https://fun138.org/forum/profile.php?section=personality&id=700168
Avoid repetition essays
Charter plane business plan
Top home work ghostwriter sites uk
]
[url=http://kreditciti.ru]сити займ[/url]
https://ciltgh.org/about-us/governing-council-institute-staff/
http://witkowice.cba.pl/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7345
Best dissertation introduction editing services uk
Prosthetic hand homework string cord project
Popular university essay ghostwriters services for masters
https://natttaylor.com/blogs/news/13189897-brunch-sew?comment=125043572841#comments
https://singlex.ru/lyrics/machine-gun-kelly-the-register-text-pesni#comment-header#comment-43712
https://allaboutaudrey.co.uk/blogs/fashion/our-clothing-for-bohemian-in-a-sacred-space-ss19?comment=123678490678#comments
Cheap biography editor websites for masters
mains rouges resume pjybr 2021[/url] of essay writing about myself tsqih[/url] writing task 2 essay with model answer qlskh[/url] homework dkkqc[/url] biography editor websites for masters [/b] business plan competition gpjmz[/url] dissertation tcdgx 2021[/url] organizational skills in a cover letter[/url] compare/contrast essay wdzeg 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.mojetapety.cz/blogs/blog/kde-koupit-tapety?comment=122403946680#comments
http://www.penziontillerovavila.cz/en/price-list?form_uid=5a19fe7206eaf5319cc1b02a96e25de7#form-81
https://www.harveyhelmsbeauty.com/blogs/news/hhb-moisturizers?comment=123938406557#comments
Essay on open boat
biography editor websites for masters [/b] goetzel dissertation qppym 2021[/url] dissertation proposal ghostwriters site for masters[/url] dissertation methodology ghostwriting website for phd jrdwx[/url] to write observation essay uucqe[/url] zhang research paper title abvrf[/url] essay environment day – Professional custom essay writing service usa rxqok 2021[/url]Chicago manual of style essay layout
Custom literature review writer website usa
https://klinh.com/community/profile/casinobtc36210556/ 21 bitcoin casino 10 free, 21 bitcoin casino 10 euro free. This way, the seed used for shuffling the numbers from the deck cannot be manipulated by neither us or by the player. https://elfriendacademy.com/activity/p/144812/ Juegos de casino vegas gratis, juegos de casino nombres. Interested in learning more?. http://nigeriayouthparty.org/community/profile/casinobtc15673473/ Casino slots games free, casino slots eu. Enjin games such as 9 Lives Arena place players in one-on-one skill based PVP battles. http://www.pitchprogenitor.com/groups/online-casinos-games-for-free-online-casinos-sweden/ Online casinos games for free, online casinos sweden. Is it possible to utilize Bitcoin to perform transaction undertakings across online casinos?. https://recruitandco.com/groups/dice-games-654-dice-games-urban-dictionary/ Dice games 654, dice games urban dictionary. However, it also has some notable downsides, including those covered below. https://naturetrust.org/groups/playamo27-win-real-money-quiz/ Playamo27, win real money quiz. The only cryptocurrency accepted at Bspin. http://galaxyff.com/community/profile/casinobtc20484334/ Free bitcoin faucet auto collector, free bitcoin slot machine games online. To win, you have to get as close to 21 points as possible. https://vertebra.info/community/profile/casinobtc26389384/ Gold rush’ race is on for health data in east europe frontier market, g casino slots. Is there an instant withdrawal casino?. https://sapp.edu.vn/activity/p/138400/ Play pokies for free win real money, play pokies for free wheres the gold. Where can I buy bitcoin to play at a casino?. https://wordpress.gms.ci/community/profile/casinobtc6497390/ Fun game bitcoin casino online, fun game bitcoin casino. CloudBet is one of the most secure Bitcoin betting sites, guaranteeing high-level fund security for users deposits. http://aldescu.dovasteam.ro/community/profile/casinobtc30823100/ Best bitcoin slot machines to play at red wind bitcoin casino, best bitcoin casino for mobile. Making a Bitcoin casino deposit is just as easy as funding your account with any other payment method. https://mnherpsoc.org/forum/profile/casinobtc38510323/ Double u casino mod apk, double u casino tips. We plan to become a reference for people who are interested in finding advice and information about the Cryptocurrency Casino internet sites around the internet today. https://sunsetravens.de/community/profile/casinobtc31584226/ Best slots for bonus hunt, best slots to play at empire casino. Thanks to its clean layout, fast loading times, and huge game selection, this casino has managed to earn its spot in the extremely competitive gaming market. https://forums.excelwithsmart.com/community/profile/casinobtc38024960/ Free spins no deposit bitcoin casino sites, free spins no deposit roo bitcoin casino. These instant payout online casinos meet American, Australian, New Zealand, Ecx. https://care.2love.earth/community/profile/casinobtc23375686/ Dice game goldpaw, dice game nea. You lose a game unfairly, without even knowing. http://prazdnik-kzn.ru/index.php/component/k2/item/9 http://confesercentiemiliaromagna.it/index.php/component/k2/item/4 oetqnsfflvrwer
https://univers-startup.ma/forum/profile/btccasino47344684/ 7 spins bitcoin casino no deposit bonus codes 2020, 7 spins no deposit. The only way to ensure this is using provably fair algorithms thus removing the need to trust a third, and sometimes unknown, source. https://chrislumina.com/community/profile/btccasino12173092/ Tools kit for slotting machines, igt pinball slot machine for sale. Which are the Top 5 Blockchain based Online Gambling platforms?. https://forttechonline.com/activity/p/49649/ Golden nugget casino slots atlantic city, golden nugget casino free alcohol. You can play with any mobile device that has GPS. https://sonianutrition.com/community/profile/btccasino33688633/ Jesters win casino, jesters win casino no deposit bonus codes 2020. Surely, for some users, it may look nostalgic and cozy, yet the vast majority of players prefer contemporary gambling websites that gleam and catch the eye right at first sight. https://recruitandco.com/groups/dice-game-zilch-dice-game-couple/ Dice game zilch, dice game couple. You can purchase different sorts of creature with the starter coins you get for joining, and you need to ensure they have enough warehouse and water and that you have enough distribution center space to store it. https://diabetcontrol.com/community/profile/btccasino48883898/ Doll casino slots printable, best online real money poker sites. TrueFlip Casino is a unique online operator focused on innovative casino gameplay. https://essyphase.com/community/profile/btccasino5681125/ Bitcoin faucet eu, bitcoin faucet roll. One case in point is European exchange ETERBASE , known as the first regulation-compliant cryptocurrency exchange in Europe. https://modafinilreviewer.com/activity/p/128618/ Kings chance casino mobile, slot machines eugene oregon. The obvious implications of owning virtual goods are sure to put dollar signs in the eyes of gamers. https://06.awahou.com/community/profile/btccasino6431195/ Full game casinos in southeast united states, dress up slot machine cheats. Betcoin casino has been in the gaming entertainment industry since 2014. https://eanshub.com/community/profile/btccasino1469933/ 10.000 free tax casino, cool cat casino no deposit chip code. Also known as token generation events (TGEs), initial coin offerings (ICOs) are disrupting the traditional investment ecosystem. http://www.coolplace.com.au/community/profile/btccasino706444/ Non wager no deposit free bonus ca casino, making money on slot videos. Everything you need to know about gambling legally with Bitcoin in the United States including applicable laws and the top rated gambling sites that accept Bitcoin. http://new.wzzc.lap.pl/community/profile/btccasino4944016/ Slot machines with best payouts in vegas, slot machines troubleshooting error code he. When selecting a casino, you need to be aware of the concept of wagering requirements. http://lost.community/community/profile/btccasino32367085/ Slot game interface graphic river, slot game with pooper in it. Over the years, the platform has gained favor among crypto gamblers. http://www.pitchprogenitor.com/groups/mgm-springfield-casino-buffalo-grand-slots-mgm-springfield-casino-games/ Mgm springfield casino buffalo grand slots, mgm springfield casino games. Bitcoin casinos are known for their fast payouts, but not all operators meet these expectations. https://schoolkid.info/community/profile/btccasino47082897/ Get more free coins on hollywood casino, get more bridge officer slots star trek online. I was urging clients and followers in chat rooms to elect 475 for free tax-loss insurance. http://buc.ac.ke/index.php/component/k2/item/3 http://maxiorbit.nl/component/k2/item/7 oetqnsfflvrwer
]
Garnier Vitamin [url=https://anushkasen04.mnwork.info/videos/S0V1hNZA9Ek-garnier-vitamin-c-serum-review-and-benefits-anushka-sen.html]C[/url] Serum Review And BenefitsAnushka Sen