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
kyocera taskalfa 3051ci driverasus b85m-g r2.0 driversarmy of two outfitsintel extreme tuning utility stress testred dead redemption savvy merchant outfittascam us 144 driverraid driver windows 7m-audio ozonepioneer avic-6200nexthe amazing spider man 2 trainer
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/kak-pereborot-len/]ga-945gzm-s2
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/smartresponder/]visual studio 2010 windows xp
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/my/ryabova68/page1/]ultimate vault hunter mode pre sequel
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/способы борьбы с ленью/]opera mini downloads for blackberry
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/setevoi-marketing/]sharp mx m260 driver
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/управление собой/]internet evidence finder full version free
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/kak-sdelat-elektronnuyu-knigu/]autodesk building design suite premium 2016 download
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/подцели/]saitek x45 drivers windows 10 64 bit
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/искусство мотивации/]wow icons high res
[/url]
[url=http://www.grabr.ru/content/kakoi-tip-temperamenta-lichnosti-u-vashikh-partnerov/]canon mp 190 software
[/url]
samsung xe700t1a-a04us
westward iii: gold rush
asus h81m-c drivers
amd radeon hd 6310 m
symantec ghost solution suite 3.0 download
https://bobrdobr.ru/tags/public/особенности+характера+и+темперамента/
http://seominds.ru/tag/как поднять самооценку/
http://www.grabr.ru/tegi/samomotivatsiya/
http://seominds.ru/my/ryabova68/page1/
http://seominds.ru/tag/начать новую жизнь/
http://grabr.ru/content/zhizn-v-dolg-radost-ili-rabstvo-blog-anny-ryabovoi/
http://seominds.ru/tag/что мотивирует Вас/
https://bobrdobr.ru/people/annaryabova/
http://grabr.ru/tegi/podpischiki/4/
https://bobrdobr.ru/tags/public/управление+эмоциями/
amcrest atc-1201
logitech m-bz105a
driver updater pro otweak
lg optimus software update
alien isolation difficulty levels
warcraft 3 24 player
chapter and verse windows 10
spotify audio converter platinum
asus z87 pro bios update
acer aspire 5736z driver
gigabyte ga-z77p-d3
wacom cintiq companion hybrid driver
dell demension 2350 drivers
ricoh aficio sp c320dn driver
minecraft free download 0.12.0
Коли вы хотите получить ради свое подержанное авто хорошую сумму, тутто в первую очередь, вам нужно позаботиться о его внешнем виде. Именно потому, владельцам транспорта, или желающим приобрести качественный автомобиль из Евросоюза, придется опять ждать. Эксперты рекомендую страшно тщательно подходит к выбору фирмы, так сиречь теперь на рынке бесконечно много мошенников. Который же тут делать? Все страшно простой! Обратитесь следовать через в специализированную компанию, которая может обманывать замена кредитных авто в сжатие сроки. Данную процедуру, будто минимум, нужно сделать в обязательном порядке, преимущественно, если придется проехать дальний способ накануне тем, ровно Вы начнете проверку единовластно иначе на СТО. Следовательно они способны предложить собственнику машины реальную стоимость чтобы быстрой реализации. Выкуп автомобиля с пробегом для выгодных условияхдостойная оплата. 20 тысяч км – 30000 $Ныне автовыкуп достаточно востребованная услуга. В силу качества предлагаемых услуг, нас выбирают опытные владельцы автомобилей с всякий точки страны. Причина взяты из общедоступных объявлений о продаже автомобиля в сети. КОМУ ПРОДАТЬ БИТЫЙ АВТОМОБИЛЬ И ВЫГОДНО ЛИ ЭТО?с просроченной либо отсутствующей документацией;
восстановление водительских навыков в краснодаре автошкола
[url=https://schooldrivers.ru/]цена обучения на права в 2021[/url]
https://schooldrivers.ru/ – Автошколы Краснодара цены и адреса
после вы встречаетесь в удобном чтобы вас месте с работником нашей компании для оценки авто и уточнением всех деталей касательно сделки;Когда переводить с японского языка, «Subaru» вероятно «сходиться вместе». Ради того для продать автомобиль единовластно, потребуется выполнить несколько сложных шагов. Кроме того, эта процедура неимоверно быстрая и она может длиться всего единовластно день. Необходима, коли условие проводится не владельцев машины, а другим лицом;выезд наших специалистов к месту нахождения авто;Приговор продать свою машину возникает у многих автовладельцев. К примеру, стоимость автомобиля увеличивает GPS/Глонасс система. Кроме вышеуказанных аспектов, нуждаться учитывать и другие критерии: подвески, уровень чистоты салона, режимы двигателя, наличие различных опций, положение дисков, аккумулятора, шин и беспричинно далее. Ржавчина и царапины, как и неумелая покраска, и рихтовка видны сразу. Подобно торопливо и выгодно продать проблемный автомобиль
xerox phaser 3635mfp driversblackvue dr750lw-2chdell precision t5600 driversricoh mp 3500 driverepson stylus c86 drivermsi 970 gaming motherboard drivers windows 10reflections of life dark architectmushkin scorpion deluxe pcie ssdtoshiba touchpad driver windows 103d printed robot toy
[url=https://bobrdobr.ru/people/annaryabova/]probook 640 g2 drivers
[/url]
[url=http://www.grabr.ru/content/zhizn-v-dolg-radost-ili-rabstvo-blog-anny-ryabovoi/]assassin’s creed 2 pc trainer
[/url]
[url=http://www.grabr.ru/tegi/izvestnaya-lichnost/]amd radeon r9 m275 drivers
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/факторы/]conexant hd audio drivers windows 7
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/жизненная энергия/]samsung yp-k5
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/продуктивный день/]zte grand x pro
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/лень человека портит/]csm-b75ma-p45
[/url]
[url=http://grabr.ru/tegi/effektivnost-dostizheniya-celej/]dragon ball xenoverse mystery character
[/url]
[url=http://www.grabr.ru/user/anna-ryabova/]m2a-vm drivers
[/url]
[url=http://seominds.ru/tag/отношение к жизни/]toshiba satellite bluetooth windows 10
[/url]
lenovo y700 usb 3.0
destiny bungie bounty emblem
windows server 2012 r2 classic start menu
asus 802.11 n wireless lan card
turtle beach midi usb cable
http://seominds.ru/tag/школа в видеоформате/
https://мособлжилсервис.рф/s-chego-nachat-chtoby-garantirovanno-dobitsya-uspexa/
http://seominds.ru/tag/сотрудничество в бизнесе/
http://www.grabr.ru/content/zhizn-v-dolg-radost-ili-rabstvo-blog-anny-ryabovoi/
http://www.grabr.ru/related/delovoj-kompliment-kak-sredstvo-obscheniya-s-podpischikami/
http://seominds.ru/tag/как перебороть лень/
http://www.grabr.ru/tegi/mlm-biznes-0/
http://grabr.ru/content/obuchilsya-primeni/
http://seominds.ru/tag/система/
http://seominds.ru/tag/автоматическая рассылка/
teac ca-400
ga-h67n-usb3-b3
microsoft lifecam vx 2000
dell wireless 375 bluetooth module driver
light flow full apk
samsung s8 entertainment kit
nvidia 3d vision windows 10
asus h110m k d3
i washed my iphone in the washing machine
dlink airplus g dwl g510
moneyworks gold 7 mac
when you drop your phone on your face
dell dimension 2400 bios
star citizen free fly code
1.6 crosshair cs go
Great article! We will be linking to this great content on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
my web blog ไมเซล่า
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Do my classic english literature presentation .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Top bibliography writers services for mba
Cover letter to non profit organization
Essay on desdemona
Admission paper editing sites ca
Write art internship resume
Cultural proficiency free college papers
Cover letter for graduate assistantship sample
to write names on cookies hxmcx[/url] of internet essay lfnjr[/url] teaching resume cover letter uijra[/url] thesis statement editor service online[/url] 35c7901Write a constitution for a country
How to write an oration
Presentations book reports
Microsoft office word 2003 resume templates
Writing essay examples college
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
my classic english literature presentation [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.fireblogz.com]studybay[/url]
High school scholarship resume
essays for students tsxbx[/url] homework nationalgeographic com xtsew[/url] on conflict in of mice and men byfki[/url] my astronomy thesis afmgn[/url] books to use on the sat essay rlmlf[/url]Dissertation year fellowship berkeley
Essay on career goals for graduate school
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
my classic english literature presentation [/b] mba admission essay samples vmzmx[/url] article review writers sites ca citxj[/url] about translation version elfic[/url] literature review ethnographic research ntkdv[/url]EssayThinker.com Review
]
https://www.folkd.com/submit/articlescad.com/considerations-to-know-about-edubirdie-1158551.html/
http://goldenmidas.net/story.php?title=about-payday-loans-online-usa#discuss
https://tutpub.com/web-security/fascination-about-buy-essay/
Custom letter ghostwriter service
ру[/url]Essay of narrative writing example
Part time job resume
[url=http://mykrozaimy.ru/]микрозаймы онлайн на год без отказа[/url]
http://wiki.ndf.taklia.com/index.php?title=User:Studybayscom
http://baptist1carelink.net/media/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=essayshark.review
How to do a dissertation introduction
Best critical thinking ghostwriter for hire gb
Custom presentation writing websites online
https://www.lauraofpembroke.com/blogs/style-blog/bookcase-style?comment=123590934589#comments
https://www.thehappyfamilylawyer.com/ebook_mockup1/?unapproved=117118&moderation-hash=a2b17eab3ddc9eb333627c9be05f045d#comment-117118
http://1400707.blog.upi.edu/?p=54&cpage=2422&unapproved=46979&moderation-hash=2e118912cf16ae58c0a6262e1a5767fc#comment-46979
Do my classic english literature presentation
best essay editing website for mba qtbhs[/url] cover letter is it necessary frxlq 2021[/url] health and safety cover letter tlmxg[/url] annotated bibliography editor site for school clhcr[/url] my classic english literature presentation [/b] belonging essay peter skrzynecki yqksk[/url] to writing a college admissions essay yscxr 2021[/url] resume opening statements – Esl biography writers websites for masters njxxs 2021[/url] resume mhreb[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://www.vintagegibsonforum.com/index.php?threads/14th-amendment-essay-due-process-protects-clause-mean.96685/page-5#post-124870
http://teomanpano.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10422
https://klarabrown.com/blogs/blog-press/winter-wellness-tips?comment=121847939131#comments
Objective for teachers resume
my classic english literature presentation [/b] resume for verizon ywklr[/url] the act essay affect the composite score xixlv[/url] for it fresh graduate tfuly 2021[/url] resume to apply for mcdonalds sqmav 2021[/url] pygmalion essay hkxpv 2021[/url] for popular school essay on donald trump xdpvx 2021[/url]Five paragraph essay webquest
Using references in academic writing