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 ?
Pay to write speech assignment .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Essay for university of maryland eastern shore
Top case study writers for hire uk
Phd dissertation writing
Good title for essay on leadership
Spanish homework help for kids
Biography writing services us
Essays by william langewishe
to start an essay abstract[/url] movie review editing services us urjar[/url] child book report[/url] custom essay ghostwriter sites for college[/url] 9d3f2d3Pixar resume
Compare and contrast essay notes
Esl analysis essay writers services ca
How to write script for trapgen for alrams for monitoring
Esl paper writing site for college
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
to write speech assignment [/b][url=https://essaytyper-com.blogspot.com]essaytyper[/url]
]
coordinator resume nlxji 2021[/url] essay outline person fhxsy[/url] to ask about a book report ulwgk[/url] perfect sat score on resume dylqn 2021[/url] mystery essays on the assassination of jfk emycy[/url]Professional masters custom essay assistance
Esl critical essay on trump
Write my literature thesis
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
to write speech assignment [/b] proposal competitive advantag tjdlg[/url] on humanism during the renaissance[/url] essay about media and culture jklrq[/url] essay fvfwq[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation fle
]
https://myspace.com/studybay-com
https://www.blogs.b2bscorpion.com/steps-to-create-a-mortgage-email-campaign-mortgage-email-list/#div-comment-51462
https://bookmarking.stream/story.php?title=an-unbiased-view-of-studybay-com#discuss
Essay pleasure of reading
Reaction essays free
Rentrak resume developer
]
[url=https://essayshark.review]essayshark review[/url]
https://ayso.ro/user/profile/1362
http://patmagee.com/UserProfile/tabid/630/UserID/173201/Default.aspx
Cheap home work writing website for phd
Top cv ghostwriters site ca
Thesis topic for architecture student
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/266172-format-of-cover-letter-of-youth-counselor.html#295667
https://acero316.com/blogs/blog/14771355-como-realizar-compras?comment=123451179121#comments
https://1403pom.com/blogs/blog/how-to-style-family-photos?comment=122932002934#comments
Pay to write speech assignment
writing assignment dtciu[/url] phd report advice qxirm[/url] essays about eating disorders xjwgg 2021[/url] practice exam with answers knkcy[/url] to write speech assignment [/b] opinion essay fifth grade phdsd 2021[/url] resume vxwka[/url] gre score hjplx 2021[/url] professional annotated bibliography rjiaj 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://appdev.163.ca/dz163/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1498078&extra=
https://www.wildlifewilly.com/topic/professional-dissertation-hypothesis-editing-sites/
https://www.marymeyerclothing.com/blogs/blog/3244042-ocean-and-tee-pop?comment=124649177264#comments
Top thesis ghostwriting website uk
to write speech assignment [/b] biography channel online gzsli[/url] report writer services for college grrhl[/url] for my custom custom essay on brexit dzcvw 2021[/url] curriculum vitae proofreading sites us – Esl business plan ghostwriting service for mba qdafw 2021[/url] analogy essay zaybn[/url] blog proofreading sites uk zplkn[/url]Write technology problem solving
Popular college book review topics
Наша компания осуществляет асфальтирование придомовой территории, проводит укладку асфальта на территории перед торговыми, а также бизнес-центрами и местами общественного досуга. Мы предлагаем:
Профессиональное асфальтирование частных территорий;
асфальтирование территорий предприятий и автостоянок;
асфальтирование дворовых территорий и детских площадок;
асфальтирование подъездных путей к территории.
[url=https://asfaltirovanie-50.ru]компании по укладке асфальта[/url] Специалисты компании АСФАЛЬТИРОВАНИЕ-50 проводят асфальтирование дворовых территорий с целью облагораживания придомовых участков.
Услуга включает:
обустройство пешеходных дорожек и прилегающих к зданию подъездных площадок.
Работы проводятся как во дворах частных домов, так и производственных зданий.
Качественная укладка асфальта избавит вас от грязи, ям и других проблем.
Мы постоянно развиваемся и рады предстваить Вам новую версию нашего сайта. У него мощная техническая начинка, которая позволяет за несколько секунд находить сотни туров, от крупнейших туроператоров.
[url=https://anextour-nvrsk.ru/aboutus/o-kompanii]https://anextour-nvrsk.ru/aboutus/o-kompanii[/url] «Минимальные цены» – модуль отображает самые низкие цены на текущий момент по конкретной стране с вылетом из Вашего города.
НПФ “АНАТЭК” специализируется на разработке, производстве и продаже портативных аналитических приборов и оборудования для экологического контроля. Наши приборы максимально просты и удобны в использовании. Широкий диапазон измеряемых концентраций и высокая чувствительность позволяет определять состав и концентрацию примесей в атмосфере, воде и почве от ПДК атмосферы и рабочей зоны до величин промвыбросов. Вы легко и быстро сможете определить очаг выброса, локализовать загрязненную территорию, определить состав и концентрацию загрязняющих компонентов.
[url=https://www.anatek.ru]https://www.anatek.ru[/url] Портативный газовый хроматограф ФГХ-1-2(А) создан на базе серийной модели ФГХ-1. В нем установлен отоионизационный детектор с Аргоновой ВУФ лампой. В отличии от ФГХ-1, где в детекторе стоит Криптоновая ВУФ лампа (Ui=10.6 эВ), ФГХ-1(Ар) позволяет за счет более высокого потенциала ионизации Аргоновой лампы(Ui=11.7 эВ) определять целый ряд новых веществ и соединений (см. таблицу ниже), но при этом также не чувcтвовать основные компоненты атмосферы (азот, кислород, двуокись углерода, воду, аргон).
Прибор ФГХ-1-2(А) дает возможность решать многие востребованные задачи, как например, определение содержания фенол-формальдегида в воздухе, хлорорганики в воздухе и воде, метанола, хлороформа, ацетилена, этана, пропана и др. веществ, которые были невозможны для ФГХ-1.
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads
up. The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Ie.
I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility
but I figured I’d post to let you know. The design look great though!
Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Cheers
Also visit my blog … Unblock site
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Top dissertation methodology writers site for phd .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Professional resume writers tacoma wa
Esl case study ghostwriting website uk
Sample of collection representive resume
Nursing sample cover letter new grads
How to write a critique of nursing research
Formal essay outlines examples
Online gift shop business plan
dissertation introduction writing website for college – Write a pseudocode algorithm trrwr 2021[/url] goodfellas term paper gxwpj[/url] thesis structures gkpkh[/url] essay example outline xdwrz 2021[/url] c5_647dWrite a personal letter to santa
Air conditioning resume
Type my esl admission essay on usa
Federal attorney resume
Worlds longest essay paper writing
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
dissertation methodology writers site for phd [/b] pro[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.ka-blogs.com]studybay[/url]
Anti gun control essay
objectives for debt collectors cvhir[/url] business plan editor for hire esfkt[/url] sports day essays qycrp[/url] professional business plan gdxgy[/url] letter for medical coder position – Linux resume background jiycq 2021[/url]Buy top argumentative essay on donald trump
Cheap personal statement ghostwriter websites for mba
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation methodology writers site for phd [/b] essay travel – Stanford application essays pflne 2021[/url] follow up letter from employer jyuzu 2021[/url] a daemon in perl fvdwv[/url] research papers on the black death lljhk[/url]dissertation expert
]
https://papaly.com/f/dgd4
https://historyhub.history.gov/external-link.jspa?url=https://writeablog.net/essaypro49/little-known-facts-about-essaypro-com
http://nutshellurl.com/logankramer1976
Essay profiling a doctor
General office assistant cover letter
Writing homework first grade
[url=http://kreditciti.ru]сити займ[/url]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro[/url]
https://popaholics.net/index.php?action=profile;u=626790
https://lnx.m2tech.biz/1501524_orig/
Cheap analysis essay ghostwriters service uk
Wallpaper terminator 3
How to write a increment letter
http://veteransbattle.us/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=148557&p=1395919#p1395919
https://shagbagg.com/blogs/news/shag-your-way-into-labor-day-with-60-off-bikinis-halter-tops-and-shorts?comment=125544038553#comments
http://forum.12sky2.online/index.php?/topic/454173-professional-critical-analysis-essay-proofreading-sites/
Top dissertation methodology writers site for phd
specialist resume whdav 2021[/url] how to write personal narratives hphfs[/url] course work writers services online lhqoz[/url] cover letter sample iupnq[/url] dissertation methodology writers site for phd [/b] literary analysis poisonwood bible zgrfj[/url] on money power in elections hixtt[/url] civil disobedience essay qqlzx[/url] to write a hate letter[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://truthinkapparel.com/blogs/blog/day-84-renew-your-mind?comment=125213114521#comments
https://ntt-oyaji.blog.ss-blog.jp/2018-10-24?comment_fail=1#commentblock&time=1620847939
http://refundfees.com/eldorado-6/comment-page-3622/?unapproved=1137340&moderation-hash=5cc7dde9532ee6174533c2886f64022b#comment-1137340
Portrayal of women in the media essay
dissertation methodology writers site for phd [/b] tok essay topics 2010 gqtdz[/url] quotes research paper xcpgc 2021[/url] application essay format xfdkv[/url] homework vocabulary qrzpg[/url] certifications on resume – Steps to writing a personal essay ysfhn 2021[/url] business essay academics acad43 filmbay yo74i ay html udbjx 2021[/url]Resume for it freshers doc
The name of the rose essay