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 HELP?
Adb asia pacific student essay competition .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Top critical essay writers services for phd
Submitting a cold resume
Order esl personal statement
College essay’s
Resume reply
Essay about france revolution
Cover letter support worker
research proposal editing websites uk[/url] mba expository essay assistance gxysd[/url] art research paper themes sxala 2021[/url] essay marking system kejuh[/url] b219d3fPopular college personal statement assistance
Pedro infante essays
The structure of scientific revolutions essay
Popular university essay on pokemon go
Help writing government biography
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
asia pacific student essay competition [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blogrenanda.com]studybay[/url]
]
critical analysis essay editor website for school yturz[/url] comparison essay introduction xwjat 2021[/url] writing services au qzpox[/url] polani nobel prize winner resume tehad[/url] electronic thesis wcreb[/url]Copywriting resume sample
Do you list fraternity on resume
Essay on twilight the movie
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
asia pacific student essay competition [/b] letter for trainer example[/url] cheap phd essay on donald trump – Ap composition sample essays uhfux 2021[/url] center business plan ukzha[/url] assignment proofreading site gb uzpqf 2021[/url]us dissertations database
]
https://coupondeals247.com/site-coupon/essaypro.me
https://imle.gen.tv.tr/Siteler/a-simple-key-for-essay-shark-unveiled-2/
https://wikidot.win/wiki/Everything_about_Essay_Pro
Cover letter for referral sample
ру официальный сайт[/url] reviews[/url]Outpatient nurse resume sample
Ba resume data mapping
http://importer.in.ua/member.php?49316-EssayProService
http://demo.sytian-productions.com/sytian-processes/index.php/User:Studybayscom
How to find case studies
Undergraduate graphic design resume
Pay for my descriptive essay on hacking
https://www.swd-clothing.com/blogs/rad-people/meet-ophelia-the-lil-skateboard-ripper-1?comment=123745730611#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/253357-top-dissertation-chapter-ghostwriters-for-hire-usa.html#277096
https://www.wildlifewilly.com/topic/cheap-blog-writers-service-for-masters/
Adb asia pacific student essay competition
your resume pop fdopc[/url] in essay[/url] essay questions for higher english thioz[/url] financial need scholarship essay ppeqo[/url] asia pacific student essay competition [/b] book review ghostwriter site[/url] best speech skrhb[/url] consultant cover letter sample oqtaj[/url] research paper writer for hire for phd[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://universitylaunch.com/forums/topic/do-my-autocad-homework/
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/275163-time-filler-resume.html#307913
http://www.sickautos.com/?q=node/30&page=3334#comment-192334
Best ghostwriters sites ca
asia pacific student essay competition [/b] on plastic pollution[/url] to write a thesis proposal in[/url] of special education resume objective nrwwr[/url] for america essay advice[/url] writer site uk – Othello blindness essay iufab 2021[/url] assignment proofreading services us ghdoc[/url]Essays on katrina
Professional literature review writer services for school
Topics for british research papers .
Proceed to Order!!! https://sportbookmark.stream/story.php?title=little-known-facts-about-buy-dissertation-online-#discuss
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
http://sritcompany.com/groups/free-bitcoin-roulette-bitcoin-casino-online-free-bitcoin-casino-games-iphone/ Free bitcoin roulette bitcoin casino online, free bitcoin casino games iphone. Moon Mining Faucets: Passive mining ( login and claim generated cryptocurrencies ) Bitcoin faucet quora. https://www.skullyapp.com/community/profile/casinobtc10901696/ The big free chip list no deposit bonus, the big fun play centre. If youre developing a Bitcoin application, or even want to just play around with it, you can do so without costing anything and use a minimal amount of system resources. https://clubgamerzone.com/community/profile/casinobtc30514593/ Bitcoin casino sites with slingo, bitcoin casino mas famoso las vegas. Bitomania slots and other titles were created by some of the leading software developers in the world, including Slotegrator, Platipus, Belatra, Softswiss, Pragmatic, Wazdan, Spinomenal, and many others. https://donnaomamma.it/community/profile/casinobtc7647147/ Bitcoin casino games online real money malaysia, bitcoin casino gaming club flash. Users can send and receive bitcoins electronically for an optional transaction fee using wallet software on a personal computer, mobile device, or a web application. https://aurtemint.com/community/profile/casinobtc11015586/ No deposit bitcoin casino uk, no deposit bonus for bitcoin casinos. If so, please try a different browser or device to check that this is the problem before contacting us about it. https://misokoo.com/community/profile/casinobtc45500310/ Hollywood bitcoin casino toledo free bitcoin slot play, hollywood bitcoin casino. Free Spins: free slots with free spins?. https://hairlosshelp.dk/community/profile/casinobtc31928106/ Live bitcoin roulette william hill, live bitcoin casino is open. Every click that you make can get you a handsome amount of 200 satoshis. http://wtckontakt.be/community/profile/casinobtc10993012/ Ice casino playland, ice casino gaming. You may not access this content. https://winbylosing.org/community/profile/casinobtc40611932/ Free bitcoin slot games vegas style, free bitcoin slot machines vegas style. One of the better-known Bitcoin faucets, Bitcoin Aliens is a fun and interactive option to earn satoshis. http://tassina-daniels.de/community/profile/casinobtc42188489/ Jackpot casino games online, jackpot casino party slot. Try to hit big at our lottery!. http://whisperzone.org/community/profile/casinobtc38324861/ No deposit online bitcoin slots real money, no deposit free bet offers. Importance of bitcoin mining software. https://bpmindandbody.org/community/profile/casinobtc35688721/ Best casino welcome offers, best casino slots and bingo. The Multicoin faucets will have several faucets within the same website so that you can claim various cryptocurrencies such as Etherenum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc. https://elimuzazi.com/community/profile/casinobtc5335811/ Online bitcoin casino spiele kostenlos, online bitcoin roulette in bitcoin casino. True to its name, Classy Slots Casino offers a unique place to quench your gambling thirst. https://lighter-minds.co.uk/community/profile/casinobtc17792534/ Casino 92, casino in winnipeg canada. For example, the picture-puzzle at the entrance to the site is designed as an obstacle for automatic intervention. http://www.epppc.co.uk/community/profile/casinobtc19877143/ Best bitcoin faucet app android, best bitcoin slot sites australia. Free spins winnings and bonus funds carry a wagering requirement of 50×. https://ecampus2.maseno.ac.ke/index.php/component/k2/item/4 http://gps-global.ru/index.php/component/k2/item/1 oetqnsfflvrwer
Daily updated super sexy photo galleries
porn art drawings ree full porn videos jordan capri free iphone porn man to man porn taboo porn movieshttp://pornballet.instakink.com/?elissa
http://www.decorativnayashtukaturka.ru/forum/profile/casinobitcoin1358292/ Bitcoin gambling roulette, bitcoin gambling game tiktok. Odds are on their side, and cheating would put them into high risk of being caught and kicked out of the business. http://foro.pawean.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin33156893/ Online casino 5 paysafe, online casino games nederland. If you want to learn more about how many business days it takes to process a payment and what the minimum and maximum deposits are, check out the 10CRIC payment methods page. https://welcomeship.org/community/profile/casinobitcoin11313490/ Top paying online casino games, top paying online casino games. Check out Oshi Casino with this double money bonus!. http://fondazionegoria.it/it/visionari/forum/profile/casinobitcoin41530452/ Top casino games, top casino slot sites. First, use the code. https://myrealms-tales.net/community/profile/casinobitcoin48410735/ Online casino 200 deposit bonus, online casino novomatic slots. If you happen to be in this category, we will gladly recommend you visit Cryptoreels casino. https://masmaacademy.my/activity/p/51546/ Best paid casino apps for android, best paid casino in the world. All you need is an internet connection and a computer or a mobile device. https://www.pavgrinders.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin28111321/ Best casino online in the world, best casino at goa. You need a minimum deposit of 5 mBTC to be eligible for this bonus. http://www.lorishields.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin45955749/ Online casino alles verzockt, online casino free joining bonus. Still the bonuses are a good way to boost your bankroll even with the limitations. https://millionwaystogetit.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin36581983/ Online casino usa bitcoin, online casino no deposit bonus oct 2020. Transactions and Payment Policies. https://marscitizens.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin1238598/ Beste online casino mit 10 euro einzahlung, beste online casino app echtgeld. Do we encourage the use of VPNs on Bitcoin Casinos?. https://funtech.hu/community/profile/casinobitcoin9365081/ Online casino no deposit bonus keep what you win usa, online casino real money sign up bonus. Money can be rapidly transferred from one wallet to another, which is how payments are made using Bitcoin. https://cashouteststrips.com/community/profile/casinobitcoin386946/ Bitcoin bonus trading, bitcoin bonus free. Ignition offers live dealers for: Blackjack American Roulette European Roulette Baccarat Super 6. https://theblessfirm.consulting/community/profile/casinobitcoin8756683/ Онлайн казино бездепозитный бонус за регистрацию, онлайн казино даугавпилс. Big Dollar Casino 50 Free Spins. https://bpmindandbody.org/community/profile/casinobitcoin17913762/ Online casinos illegal canada, online casinos netherlands. From February 18th , when qualifiers get underway, all the way until March 31st , you can grab a piece of the action from your choice of 150 Different Events. https://restore.brightgk.com/activity/p/71482/ Best online slot bonus games, best online slots in usa. What are the advantages of using Bitcoins in gambling?. http://dselection.com.au/index.php/component/k2/item/3 http://www.pensioncandelaria.com/index.php/en/component/k2/item/6 oetqnsfflvrwer
https://psyphilosophy.com/community/profile/bitstarz47482391/ Bitstarz kokemuksia, bitstarz 19. To the right are the sign-in and registration forms. https://hospitaltaiwan.gob.do/community/profile/bitstarz23057385/ Bitstarz kyc, bitstarz casino guru. To the right are the sign-in and registration forms. https://www.house-of-pleasure-for-adults.com/community/profile/bitstarz44135461/ Bitstarz bonus no deposit, bitstarz bonus code 2020. When we reviewed the site, there were very few games to choose from: eight video poker games, 16 classic three-reel slots, 24 video and 3D slots, and 12 i-slots. https://vivianlms.ga/groups/bitstarz-casinomeister-bitstarz-deposit-code/ Bitstarz casinomeister, bitstarz deposit code. This is a unique opportunity to show off your gaming skills and earn cash or crypto. http://nulz.com.ua/community/profile/bitstarz959464/ Bitstarz 18, bitstarz bonus. Hier konnen die Teilnehmer sich gegenseitig sehen und die Reaktionen von Ihnen analysieren. https://www.maxisohbet.com/community/profile/bitstarz15324868/ Bitstarz affiliate login, no deposit bonus for bitstarz casino. Consult the MELbet bonuses page to learn about active promotions. https://everc.life/community/profile/bitstarz16428587/ Promo code for bitstarz, promo code bitstarz no deposit. A no deposit bonus is the equivalent of a casino putting a small amount of cash in your hand for free and asking you to play their games. https://blockhelden.de/community/profile/bitstarz9694291/ Bitstarz promo code free, bitstarz promo code august 2020. Welcome Bonus Up to 1 BTC A Complete Sportsbook Instant Payments Read Review. http://hitni.ru/community/profile/bitstarz3484518/ Www bitstarz com bonus code, www bitstarz com. In fact, many bitcoin casinos offer excellent guides on their websites to help you get started in the world of cryptocurrencies. https://bahia.top/community/profile/bitstarz47763100/ Bitstarz logo, bitstarz casino no deposit bonus code. Customer support is equally up to par with world standards. https://mcn.qch.mybluehost.me/community/profile/bitstarz35440254/ Bitstarz australia, bitstarz australia login. For example, verifying your account, placing your first bet, and saying hi in the public chat are just some of the tasks. https://cnsantjust.cat/groups/bitstarz-bonus-terms-bitstarz-bonus-code-2020/ Bitstarz bonus terms, bitstarz bonus code 2020. Wager: 60x Bonus code: FIRST200. http://myoab.org/community/profile/bitstarz4415854/ Bitstarz minimum deposit, bitstarz askgamblers. The difference is that in the provably fair world of crypto gaming, players can view each ID number to verify that the random number generation was unique. https://wpintegrate.net/groups/create/step/documents/ Bitstarz free chip, bitstarz free spins no deposit. Even though the site specializes in sportsbook betting, its Bitcoin gaming library is not too shabby either. http://legendendertechnik.de/community/profile/bitstarz23800133/ No deposit bonus for bitstarz casino, no deposit bitstarz. Though the liquidity level is not the lowest, it is not as high as on some of the services here including eToro, Coinbase and Binance. http://kgrtp.ru/index.php/component/k2/item/2 http://fourdmetal.com/index.php/component/k2/item/7 oetqnsfflvrwer