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
fulsojja x video http://accesibilidadcolombia.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/videos/396635/alura-jenson-in-sauna-sex-schooling.html
xxx com bipi http://opac2.mdah.state.ms.us/stone/SV71I7.php?referer=https://yourporn.name/videos/390250/boyz-group-sex-chicks-hard.html
depika porn video http://priceimoveis.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/bd/xxi-orat.html
xxx new jbrdsti http://thetravellingappetite.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/bd/rong-hindi.html
babash hd sex http://opac2.mdah.state.ms.us/stone/SV35I5.php?referer=https://yourporn.name/bd/hd-natalie-lust.html
vadina pussy fucking http://sellerfixedmatches.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/videos/283919/busty-milf-and-teen-babe-amazing-3some-sex-on-the-couch.html
porn check virgin http://dentcare4u.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/videos/132998/step-dad-sneaking-on-step-daughter-via-massage.html
hot ebony sex https://sucheerotikabenteuer.com/wp-content/plugins/AND-AntiBounce/redirector.php?url=https://yourporn.name/bd/sunny-leone-fucks-to-men-bali-xxx-sexy-video.html
xxx hot parno http://readysteadypix.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/videos/151111/lesbo-pleases-babe-with-sexy-fingering-and-toying.html
www.xxxbf sexx vvideo.com http://whitehatcreative.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/videos/786263/arrogant-passionate-hairy-gal-porn-hardcore.html
redwap realityking hd http://vaginalmeshinjurylawsuit.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/videos/148226/playgirl-acquires-workout-for-her-anal-tunnel.html
desi sex affair http://www.fixedincomeinvestor.co.uk/x/ad-click?id=36&w=https://yourporn.name/bd/indian-malayalam-facking.html
cewe sukabumi xxx http://sejongkr.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/videos/206618/horny-blonde-babe-get-strip-and-masturbate-on-cam.html
esha gupta sex http://ctrla.us/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/videos/790541/hot-japanese-slut-fucked.html
xxxsexy video chudai https://maps.google.ae/url?q=https://yourporn.name/videos/275342/incredibly-hot-boobs-massage-video-xxx.html
hot prom moms http://legionowoogloszenia.pl/link.php?url=https://yourporn.name/videos/201294/adorable-gal-is-servicing-2-lusty-shafts-zealously.html
apu bissas xxxxx nv86.rubitrix/rk.php?goto=https://yourporn.name/videos/510287/brunette-alisha-adams-takes-part-in-thrilling-bdsm-scene.html
www secxy com http://extremebdsmpic.com/crtr/cgi/out.cgi?id=122&l=top_top&u=https://yourporn.name/videos/493898/bootylicious-brunette-rachel-milan-rides-dick-and-fucks-doggy-style.html
indianenglish hairy porn http://carlocksmithcoloradosprings.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/videos/808630/milk-loving-stepsis-liv-sprayed-with-white-stuff.html
xx puri video http://345418.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yourporn.name/bd/victoria-angela-eats-some-black-meat-for-lunch-pf1.html
hard mouth fuckdanger http://databasevoice.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/499538-alluring_blonde_diana_doll_gets_missionary_fucked
xnxx 2018 porn http://backingcompoundmanufacturers.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/790638-mofos_real_slut_party_chloe_caine_and_christie_stevens_a
www.redwap fuck blood.in http://images.google.no/url?q=https://porn555.me/movies/top_10_xxx_videos
prone six movi http://wind4love.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/466464-whorable_black_head_mya_luanna_rides_and_sucks_a_cock_in_the_village_house
www sex daonlod http://kripipasta.com/go.php?to=https://porn555.me/vd/297602-very_big_boobs_great_tits_babe_siri
rakhi sawant blowjobs http://www.cienciadaestrategia.com.br/teoriadosjogos/redirectlink.asp?link=https://porn555.me/vd/47276-watch_jayden_taylors_use_fingers_and_a_vibrating_dildo_to_fondle_her_cock_hungry_bald_pussy_as
brahmin ass fuck http://arfriendshipcoalition.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/218781-white_coed_vs_japanese_perv_in_a_parking
bid tite xxx http://www.twizl.nl/myspace.php?url=https://porn555.me/vd/793085-girlsunderarrest_corrupt_cops_fuck_with_2_teen_sluts
xxxn wonen negro http://steadyhearts.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/304940-massage_hotty_undresses_demonstrating_her_ass
nikee sex video http://www.oxford-mission.org/cgi-bin/anonymous/redirect.cgi?url=https://porn555.me/vd/279984-marissa_mae_gagging_her_step_dads_cock
malage sex videos http://0iio.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/movies/sienna_west_manuel_ferrara_is_a_milf_whore
virgin ftv girls http://beykozasansor.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/107045-nina_hartley_xander_corvus_in_my_first_sex_teacher
xxx six hdxxxx http://gal-h.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?event1=&event2=&event3=&goto=https://porn555.me/vd/793066-orgasm_masturbation
brazzar video dounload http://elitebizsource.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/269253-kira_on_exploited_college_girls
keniya sex gral http://cxxqqd.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/457040-drunk_and_busty_black_haired_milf_put_the_moves_on_a_fresh_cock
rusian porn 3gp http://notice.iptv.by/nomoney.php?host=porn555.me/vd/159514-julianna_vega_and_mia_khalifa_dealing_with_a_huge_cock&n=lizyukovyh7_913&nm=Ralink¶ms=redirect=/forum/tracker.php&reason=3&url=/forum/index.php/trends/sexfrenchoplan/1/
video naruto hintai http://proba.cf/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/277658-lia_shayde_gets_her_mature_twat_stuffed
rotika sex hd http://chinadream.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/492251-hungry_for_cock_stevie_shae_seduces_a_handsome_guy_and_sucks_his_dick_deepthroat
3rat tamil com http://my.zhinei.com/link.php?url=https://porn555.me/vd/101561-stephany_plays_with_a_dildo_in_an_hd_porn_art_video
xxx best qty http://imageshosted4u.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/movies/woodman_casting_x_sweet_lena
buy cannabis oil cbd oil near me buy cannabis oil
cbd pure cbd oil near me cbd drops http://cbdproductswin.com/#
halibut sex movis http://assistive.gfcmsu.edu/h5/assistive/main/splash?externalUrl=https://porn555.me/vd/71867-old_marg_with_her_hairy_cunt_showing_some_good_skills_at_her_age&splashBackHref=&setPreference=theme:yellowonblack
xxx video kypan https://www.sayweee.com/track/out?url=https://porn555.me/vd/485824-rapacious_dana_dearmond_gives_a_solid_blowjob_to_the_prisoners
sexc xxx sanny http://djotjog.com/cp2/tred?url=https://porn555.me/movies/ass_joi_dildo
anjelica ebbi sex http://derelictstatedesign.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/movies/xxxvideo_gujarati
xxx odiaa video http://mypolicy.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/movies/xxx_desi_vedeo
megan sage gangbang http://veliherdrom.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/movies/xx_video_sexy_gionee_dog_dog
aroban girl sex http://wwwsaveautopay.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/251572-messy_cumshot_and_handjob_with_fresh_teen
riaa xxx videos http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/mediacentre/Newsreleases/AndrewBridgenMP?came_from=https://porn555.me/vd/151047-sexy_babe_is_drooling_from_dudes_deepthroating
awesome sex videos https://www.usfoods-hongkong.net/redirect.php?url=https://porn555.me/vd/801195-asian_diva_girls_asian_adventures_pt_2_japanese_exchange_student_affair
xxx maithili video http://test.www.feizan.com/link.php?url=https://porn555.me/movies/cutie_slu
bf xxcx videose http://20ebooks.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/298440-melissa_moore_begs_her_man_for_rough_pounding_sex
unblock porn tubes http://www.creativecraftsgroup.com/sessions/logout.php?return=https://porn555.me/vd/126171-hardcore_and_evil_anal_17_sheena_shaw_bridgette_b_eva_karera_claire_robbins_manuel_ferrara_ramon_nomar
tobo motahr sex.com http://connectformusic.org/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/movies/drunk_mom_passed_out_getting_fucked
korean beauty breasts https://maps.google.rw/url?q=https://porn555.me/vd/471189-deep_fucking_my_stepsis_juicy_pussy_and_anal
korian bangbros hd http://mightyeyes.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/504110-torrid_girlie_cathy_heaven_loves_eating_the_wet_juicy_pussies
tubersex mom sex https://www.bravica.mobi/ru/url.php?url=https://porn555.me/vd/787596-unbelievable_exclusive_blonde_milf_big_tits_scene_ever_seen&id=2961
sunnyleone fucking movies http://gloabal-financial-news.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/508290-stout_booty_of_classy_ebony_whore_dream_is_fucking_hot_as_hell
thirutti masala com http://clickboosterseo.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/vd/504524-black_nerd_in_glasses_does_her_best_while_sucking_a_cock_for_cum
mms video sleeping http://tritowin.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/movies/film_emmanuelle
sex time prad http://remix-inc.com/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=porn555.me/movies/70_80_saal_ka_budha_budhi_ka_bf