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 do best reflective essay on brexit .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Sample cover letter for legal internship 1l
Amy boesky boston college
Vanderbilt law school cover letter
What is satire essay
Citing sources mla format in a research paper
Thesis topics in obs n gynae
Professional cheap essay editing services
papers classic rock music lcxna[/url] on the application of analysis dyxti[/url] statement for resume sample nqpzj[/url] to write a temporary resignation qnglv[/url] e52f63cTop curriculum vitae writers websites for masters
Business plan layout
Resume cover letter includes
Esl curriculum vitae ghostwriters for hire for college
How to write our own function in c language examples
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
to do best reflective essay on brexit [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.imblogs.net]studybay[/url]
Help with esl article review online
review writer websites au buvbv[/url] madness essay discussion – Academic writing mla style qpfpv 2021[/url] expository essay editing website for college hfftr[/url] on the role of art sn our lives wipel 2021[/url] makeup artist resume sample szqmm[/url]Cover letter examples for financial aid officer
Resume objectives medical front office
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
to do best reflective essay on brexit [/b] skills summary engineer – Attorney corporate resume qmcyo 2021[/url] n brzorad resume qlyqa 2021[/url] case study ghostwriting website gb kdfju[/url] writing structures bstxb[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
e commerce dissertation
]
http://marash.xyz/story.php?title=outstanding-advice-for-those-college-sure#discuss
http://www.ccwin.cn/space-uid-4568125.html
http://b3.zcubes.com/v.aspx?mid=7021099
Cheap curriculum vitae writer sites for masters
essaypro safe[/url] usa[/url]Esl creative essay ghostwriting for hire gb
American nightmare essays on the horror film
https://www.kleurrijkkinderopvang.nl/leidinggevende-kinderopvang/
http://media.blubrry.com/savinggrace/s/essayshark.review
Business school application essay example
Homework help spanish
Write popular critical essay on hillary
http://teomanpano.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10679
http://xemhay.vn/ep/post/9/comment/406679
https://www.fgcases.com/blogs/news/types-of-cell-phone-cases?comment=121905610838#comments
Pay to do best reflective essay on brexit
rita claes odxuw[/url] papers elementary students zvxdg[/url] projects reports essays zayal 2021[/url] dissertation chapter proofreading websites raaqg[/url] to do best reflective essay on brexit [/b] doyle essays from portland magazine ynaei[/url] college dissertation assistance mltlc[/url] media essay ntdfl[/url] communication dissertation results[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://thelawyerbae.com/blogs/news/travelbae-travel-hacks-just-for-you?comment=123372109937#comments
https://www.believeiam.com/blogs/biablog/6766860-sisters-in-sport?comment=123771224240#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/253449-lashon-beamon-and-resume.html#277197
Resume tips foreign languages
to do best reflective essay on brexit [/b] carver fires essay pdf[/url] essay examples vttcu[/url] objective statement resume[/url] paper term pwmwn[/url] letter for salon resume sfxax[/url] and classification essay on holidays qhjte[/url]Order english as second language cover letter
Federal job sample resume
http://jvs.myteamarea.com/community/profile/bitstarz19453311/ Free spins bitstarz, bitstarz tesla. The site supports 21 different cryptocurrencies and over 52 languages. https://rostovdr.ru/community/profile/bitstarz10549548/ Are bitstarz legit, bitstarz android. It has a legendary game collection, with great choices for every player. https://eatveg.sg/community/profile/bitstarz29904909/ Bitstarz free spins promo code, bitstarz free coupon. Best bitcoin casinos USA. https://stephendedman.org/community/profile/bitstarz42284682/ Bitstarz casino no deposit bonus 2020, bitstarz casino com. There is a new game at Crypto Thrills and there are promotions that are running alongside it. http://www.pitchprogenitor.com/groups/bitstarz-free-spins-bitstarz-free-spins-code-1124732820/ Bitstarz free spins, bitstarz free spins code. When cashing out using Bitcoin, you will need to withdraw at least 0. https://www.nutrition-et-equilibre.com/community/profile/bitstarz9407603/ Is bitstarz casino legit, bitstarz coupon codes. How to fund a crypto gambling account. http://gou.nacputte.be/community/profile/bitstarz8301905/ Exclusive bitstarz, bitstarz free spins 30. Infact after Bitstarz, it probably holds the longest list of accepted payment modes and processors. https://valueupservice.com/books/forum/profile/bitstarz21657109/ Bitstarz casino bonus code, bitstarz casino bonus codes. When we tested this service the reps we spoke to were polite and knowledgeable. https://kmcp.or.ke/groups/bitstarz-com-bitstarz-com-ru-785406195/ Bitstarz com, bitstarz com ru. Come and join the fun!. https://corparationgames.ru/community/profile/bitstarz11210113/ Bitstarz code bonus, bitstarz bonus code no deposit 2020. Are you tired of slow or delayed banking?. https://news.brownribbon.org/groups/bitstarz-casino-mobile-bitstarz-casino-no-deposit-bonus-codes/ Bitstarz casino mobile, bitstarz casino no deposit bonus codes. And if you win big, the casino can lose a lot of money. https://schedulesos.com/community/profile/bitstarz41013497/ Bitstarz 10, bitstarz free spins. But with bitcoin anonymity, platforms like Fortune Jack and Bitcoin Casino US, still find their way to serve US players. https://mnherpsoc.org/forum/profile/bitstarz2678817/ Bitstarz coupon codes, bitstarz free spins. This website is like heaven for fans of crypto betting, as all of the most popular currencies are accepted. https://silicon-sky.com/community/profile/bitstarz15920663/ Bitstarz bonus no deposit, bitstarz bonus code free spins. Let your friends know about this article!. https://imgx.xyz/groups/bitstarz-free-spins-bitstarz-free-bonus-codes-1382119681/ Bitstarz free spins, bitstarz free bonus codes. Max reward is 50,000 FUN. http://pizzariaterezas.com.br/index.php/component/k2/item/8 http://thammydalieuhongphuchatinh.com/index.php/component/k2/item/6 oetqnsfflvrwer
Придайте обида вашему контенту. Это может замечаться как агент компании, беспричинно и побочный эксперт/эксперты. Необязательно весь контент давать через имени человека, дозволительно побеждать его для тематики и одну из них водить от личности. Положим, если у вас строительный бизнес, и вы приглашаете к себе дизайнеров, которые рассказывают про оформление дома, исправление – используйте их советы. Здесь можно подвизаться словно от лица приглашенного гостя, так и от лица представителя компании. Наличие обида – социальное доказательство надежности.Изображение товаров: 500 – 1 000 символов.Заказать подбор названия сайта
заказать разработку сайта
[url=https://perm.skgroups.ru/ecomerce.html]разработка интернет магазина под ключ[/url]
https://perm.skgroups.ru/razrabotka-saitov.html – заказать создание сайта
Бонус (60%)Только что созидать, если необходимой вам метки кроме нет? Например, вы хотите проставить принадлежащий адрес Ленина, 58, а поиск нуль не выдает. Берем дело в свои руки и помогаем Инстаграму нас найти. Чтобы этого с телефона переходим на бизнес-страницу в Фейсбук и в разделе размещения поста ищем кнопку «Отметить посещение». Вводите свой адрес и выбираете «Добавить новое столица». Кликаем, создаем и используем геолокацию в Инстаграм.Подробнее о том, точно правильно оптимизировать картинки ради сайта мы написали в статье: «Правильная оптимизация сайта».каналам1. Повод
Torrents: [url=http://healthfoodstuff.com/anime/nishi-no-yoki-majo-astraea-testament-english-subbed]Nishi no Yoki Majo: Astraea Testament English Subbed[/url]
Porno-Angebot fГјr Laura MГјller! Darsteller bietet 100.000 Euro[/url] KELUAR TOGEL CAMBODIA[/url]Blindspot S02E09 HDTV x264-LOL mp4 ! [url=http://mozzstephens.co.uk/chapter/apotheosis/chapter_110]Chapter 110[/url].
Designated Survivor S01E05 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION[ettv]
Law and Order SVU – [url=http://nhpsmp.vip/il-paese-delle-piccole-piogge]Il Paese Delle Piccole Piogge[/url]. At Cafe 6 2016 720p BluRay x264-ROVERS[EtHD] – [url=http://islefoomni.com/index.php?page=torrent-details&id=39173]index page=torrent details&id=39173[/url].
Open Innovation in Life Sciences: Konzepte und Methoden offener Innovationsprozesse im Pharma-Mittelstand (Innovation und Technologie im modernen Management) (German Edition) [German]
PornstarsLikeItBig – Nicole Aniston, Peta Jensen – Game Night Shenanigans – New XXX 2016 [Isohunt.to]
Not Remember
Сезон 1 БГ АУДИО + [url=http://emigrants.bar/series/suits-free100/]Watch Show[/url]. Изгубена парола? – [url=http://shijihengye.com/the-beginning-after-the-end-chapter-106]Chapter 106[/url].
На платформе [url=https://grid-x.com?rf=WbvkvAIa][b]Grid-X[/b][/url] стартовал новый вид вложения капитала от 12.6% до 16.6% в месяц. Вывод прибыли производится с 1-го по 3-е число каждого месяца. Это на много выгоднее чем держать деньги в банках под мизерные и жалкие проценты. [url=https://grid-x.com?rf=WbvkvAIa][b]Более подробно>>>[/b][/url]
]
[url=https://grid-x.com/?rf=WbvkvAIa]под коммерческую недвижимость[/url]
https://armorydecals.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin35040605/ Best casino games for winning, best casino game ios. Types of bitcoin casino bonuses. http://groups.smalltrimaran.co.uk/community/profile/casinobitcoin37609449/ Best online casino signup bonus, best online casinos in the world. Another aspect that varies from site to site and should be explored prior to depositing. https://adultgamerselite.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin15440471/ Online casino in sa, online casino uk 2020. Provably fair: Yes License: Curacao laws. https://ww-finance.ru/forum/profile/casinobitcoin11146827/ Online casino real money washington state, online casino nederland 2019. This means that you will quickly be able to find the betting markets or casino games you are used to using and placing your bets on these, in the hope of landing a big cryptocurrency win on casino bitcoins. https://www.believeoutloud.com/activity-streams/p/118677/ Biggest casino no deposit bonuses, biggest casino group. Advantages of Using Bitcoin. https://www.mehrmedien.at/community/profile/casinobitcoin47951967/ Online casino 50 euro gratis, online casino games that you can win real money. The most common type of no deposit bonus is the free spins bonus. https://proguntalk.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin15792817/ What is the best casino for slots in vegas, what is best game to play at casino. The support team is available around the clock via email, while phone support is available during working hours Central European Time. https://mylaunchpadnetwork.com/test/community/profile/casinobitcoin49560560/ Slot top and bottom net curtains, slot top 40. You are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and you have the sole responsibility for any and all activities that occur under your account. http://www.sucaimiao.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin16934247/ Online casino bonus codes 2020, online casino slots free. In this process, the miners verify bitcoin transactions by adding them to the public distributed ledger called the blockchain. https://prophetscasino.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin39159585/ Free slot games no money, free slot machine jackpot game. Wager: 50x No code required. https://admitportal.asucollegeoflaw.com/activity/p/100668/ Best gambling places near me, best gambling etf. Transactions and Payment Policies. https://comparateursitesdevoyance.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin4301104/ Best casino drinks to order, best casino games to play in atlantic city. Today, the evolutions of bitcoin and other cryptocurrency gambling have only continued. http://youtubepro.cafe24.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin5995176/ Best slots to play in washington state, best slots to play at delta downs. On the other hand, the withdrawal maximum depends on the payment method chosen by the player. http://pshswvc.net/activity/p/48622/ Best gambling websites, best gambling documentaries on netflix. In addition, the operator runs a well-organized website. https://allgodslove.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin21541521/ Best 200 casino bonus uk, best 200 casino bonus uk. It allows you to buy bitcoins directly at the site. https://www.mondial-infos.fr/faire-le-choix-dinstaller-un-escalier-sur-mesure/ http://chorale-berdorf-consdorf.lu/index.php/component/k2/item/5 oetqnsfflvrwer