Cart 0

Thema / KTJBABY

Interview

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



Older Post Newer Post


Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • studybayws on

    NEED ESSAY WRITING HELP?

    Save your time and get your essay written by a professional writer.
    We can cover any topic on any subject in the blink of an eye.
    Popular critical thinking writer for hire au zptpb.

    Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co

    ]

    Quarterly essay
    Resume software architect example
    Magna kiekert resume

    Global business plan competition singapore
    Pay to write geology problem solving
    Term paper on styles of love

    Best research paper ghostwriting services for masters
    Collage essay buy
    Custom personal statement ghostwriters service for school

    of probability in statistics zkmsl[/url] how to write an essay owmwt[/url] to write a reference using apa format wrpop[/url] contemporary art essays wlutl[/url] c76b219

    Professional academic essay proofreading services usa
    Resume writing tips job description
    Popular term paper writer for hire usa

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    [b]Popular critical thinking writer for hire au zptpb[/b]
    [url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro review[/url]
    Esl home work ghostwriting website for university
    College ghostwriter service online
    Free military written essays

    fatigante et le faineant resume qpbcf[/url] gcse economics coursework stwha[/url] my english book review zsznq[/url] ghostwriter service us sdctp[/url] resume database for developers ozbaj[/url]

    academic online editapaper.com

    critical thinking writer for hire au zptpb[/b] of english extended essay questions imnrw[/url] neftegaskadry ru mfarx[/url] office assistant cover letter template pnqze[/url] macbeth character change essay bzzxb[/url]

    ]
    https://google.com.bd/url?q=http://author24.ru.com
    https://images.google.com.do/url?q=https://essaypro.me
    https://cse.google.com.ni/url?q=https://studybays.com

    Essays on educational goals and career goals
    Custom persuasive essay editor services us
    Top cv ghostwriter websites for university

    loans online[/url]

    [url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com/robot-zaymer-lichnyy-kabinet-vhod-registraciya-vosstanovlenie-parolya]займер робот[/url]

    http://edubirdie-com.link4blogs.com/18101299/edubirdie-reviews-edubirdie-essay-review-edubirdie-reviews-edubirdie-uk-reviews-edubirdie-essay-review
    http://adsciti.com/user/profile/60814

    How ro pick watermelon essay
    Interface design resume
    Ways to write a 12 day notice of termination

    http://forum.munoria.net/showthread.php?194-XEvil-5-0-break-BitFinex-Captcha&p=8950&posted=1#post8950
    https://spreeezy.com/sony-camera-as-webcam/#comment-969
    https://www.pktowing.ca/hello-world/#comment-4455

    Popular critical thinking writer for hire au zptpb
    http://tmchens.imotor.com/viewthread.php?tid=557880&pid=668233&page=1&extra=#pid668233
    http://www.wheredealerscompete.com/uncategorized/hello-world/#comment-5398
    https://forum.rehabvietnam.vn/forum/showthread.php?19639-%D0%A0%D2%90%D0%A0%D1%91%D0%A0%C2%B6%D0%A1%E2%80%93-%D0%A0%D1%97%D0%A1%E2%80%9A%D0%A0%C2%B0%D0%A1%E2%82%AC%D0%A0%D1%94%D0%A0%D1%91-(%D0%A1%E2%80%9A%D0%A0%C2%B0-%D0%A1%E2%80%9E%D0%A0%C2%B0%D0%A0%D0%85%D0%A1%E2%80%9A%D0%A0%C2%B0%D0%A1%D0%83%D0%A1%E2%80%9A%D0%A0%D1%91%D0%A1%E2%80%A1%D0%A0%D0%85%D0%A0%C2%B0-%D0%A0%D2%90%D0%A0%C2%B0%D0%A1%D0%82%D0%A0%C2%BB%D0%A1%E2%80%93-%D0%A0%D1%99%D0%A0%D0%86%D0%A1%E2%80%93%D0%A0%D0%85)-%D0%A0%D2%91%D0%A0%D1%91%D0%A0%D0%86%D0%A0%D1%91%D0%A1%E2%80%9A%D0%A0%D1%91%D0%A1%D0%83%D0%A1%D0%8F-6p&p=85883&posted=1#post85883

    faqs cover letter wzbbk[/url] a great story kqmra[/url] academic research paper oeugg[/url] cv editor sites[/url] critical thinking writer for hire au zptpb[/b] ambition in life doctor essay dgvmz[/url] video zxfdz[/url] movie review ghostwriter websites for mba aoxge[/url] speech ghostwriting services uk sjfsf[/url]

    ]
    Buy investments dissertation methodology
    Essays on effects of advertising
    Meaning of assign

    critical thinking writer for hire au zptpb[/b] me engineering dissertation abstract rahgk[/url] college essay ghostwriter sites for masters iqxrt[/url] literature review editor site for phd[/url] creative writing ghostwriter for hire for masters maxef[/url] definition essay writer websites online vtslb[/url] guidelines in asia rzotc[/url]
  • LuciaMok on

    Погодой называется состояние тропосферы в конкретном месте и в конкретное время. Погода характеризуется такими элементами как температура, атмосферное насилие, облачность, мера осадков, величина водяного пара, направление ветра и беспричинно далее. В различных регионах мокропогодица может усильно отличаться. Более того, даже в одном и том же регионе в рамках одного дня безвременье может гораздо колебаться. В сегодняшнем материале мы поговорим о часть, который такое непогодь, чем она характеризуется, какие у неё лопать факторы и сиречь происходит ее прогноз.

    Чем характеризуется погода
    Ведро наравне географическое мнение характеризуется совокупностью 2 факторов:

    Явления (атмосферные осадки, ветер, облака).
    Элементы (температура воздуха, атмосферное бремя, влажность).
    Для отображения элементов природы часто используют следующие график.

    Элементы погоды
    Отдельный из представленных элементов погоды не является изолированным, а тесно взаимодействует с другими элементами. Более того, отдельный элемент способен повлиять на подобный элемент и изменить его характеристики. Например, температура воздуха напрямую влияет на атмосферное давление. В свою очередь атмосферное насилие влияет для характеристики ветра и его направление. Ветер влияет на облачность, которая в свою очередь влияет на осадки. Осадки способны причинять влияние для температуру воздуха. Таким образом, получается «круговорот» элементов погоды.

    Причины изменения погоды
    Ведро характеризуется ее состоянием. В географии позволительно выделить два основных состояния погоды:

    Устойчивость. Ведро считается устойчивой, коль на протяжении нескольких дней сохраняется примерно одинаковая погода.
    Изменчивость. Это, пожалуй, суть атрибут погоды, поскольку страшно часто даже в рамках одного дня непогода может здорово отличаться. Примерно, утром холодно, а днём тепло. Alias в первой половине дня дует южный ветер, а во следующий половине дня начинает будировать северный ветер. В первой половине дня было солнечно, во другой половине дня пошел дождь. Всё это признаки изменчивости.
    Изменчивость не является характеристикой универсальной, поскольку погода может меняться в контексте дня, в контексте сезона, в контексте возраст и беспричинно далее.

    Воздушные массы и их вдохновение для погоду
    Изменчивость наибольшим образом связана с движением воздушных масс, которые в свою очередь отвечают за формирование температуры воздуха. Различают следующие типы воздушных масс:

    Длительное время находящиеся над океаном. Такой воздух впитывает в себя влагу, которая в дальнейшем выливается на землю в виде осадков. Влага впитывается воздухом в виде испарений от океанической воды.
    Хладнокровный атмосфера формируется массами, которые длительное дата находились над сушей. Здесь практически отсутствует испарений, а вероятно, влажность снижена.
    Для полюсах формируется прохладный и сухой воздух. Связано это с тем, который например, Ледовитый океан весь покрыт льдом, там низкая температура, а вероятно и температура воздуха низкая. Кроме того испарения здесь минимальные, и этим обуславливается сухость.
    Южный ветер для северного полушария берёт своё предисловие в экваториальных или тропических широтах Южного полушария, а следовательно, несет с собой усердный воздух.
    Схематическое ход воздушных масс чтобы нашего региона может быть показано так.

    Давление [url=https://prognozpogody.online/rossiya-ola]Погода Ола[/url] направления ветра на погоду
    Эта схема отлично показывает, что даже простейшее наблюдение изза изменениями направления движения воздушных масс дозволительно давать прогнозы сообразно изменению погоды. Примем, буде дует северный ветер, то он обычно несет холодную и ясную погоду. Разве дует Западный ветер, то он обычно несёт дожди, поскольку берёт основание воздушных масс в Атлантическом океане. Ежели мы говорим о Южном ветре, то он несет ради нашей страны тепло вне зависимости от времени года. Восточной ветер ради континентальной Европы несёт зимой прохлада, а летом тепло.

    Говоря про изменчивость погоды нуждаться отметить, что не во всех регионах нашей планеты изменчивость является определяющим элементом погоды. Например, особенно четко это прослеживается для экваторе, где практически целый год жарко и высокая влажность. Также в качестве приблизительно устойчивой погоды дозволено привезти Антарктиду, где всегда холодно. Следовательно в географии используются следующие план чтобы определения районов, где воздушные массы несут изменчивость погоды, а где её устойчивость.

    Действие воздушных масс для погоду
    Типы погоды
    На планете Земля дозволительно выделить 2 основных типа погоды: непогода холодного времени года и беспогодица теплого времени года. Как несложно понять из этого определения, основополагающим фактором при выделении типа является температура воздуха. Каждый из нас осознанно или недостает, использует типы погоды, если говорит, который на улице холодно разве на улице тепло. В географии вид погоды это некая обобщенная характеристика, которая содержит сведения о среднесуточной температуре в определённое срок года.Каждый образец обладает своими подтипами, которые представлены в таблице ниже.

  • Charlessmofe on

    http://www.pinta.kiev.ua/wp-content/pages/reyting_kazino_evropu.html

  • studybayws on

    NEED PAPER WRITING ?

    Global warming essay outline example .

    Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co

    ]

    Resume recent graduate
    Clement greenberg online essays
    Non specific cover letter

    Top presentation editing service online
    Presenting research paper
    Interesting european thesis topic

    Australian business plan sample
    Resume for kindergarten assistant
    Help writing top persuasive essay on civil war

    annotated bibliography ghostwriter services for phd pmlgm[/url] reporting and houston and resume – Cover letter hiring fprmk 2021[/url] manager resume job description wwtrv 2021[/url] essay r p selected ggdrg 2021[/url] dc2_2af

    Professional definition essay writers website online
    How to write an ap psychology essay
    Assigning a static ip address

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    https://bestqualitypapers.com
    [url=https://www.pinterest.com/EssayTypers/]essaytyper[/url]

    warming essay outline example [/b] login[/url]

    How to write a literacy essay
    Strong resume writing words
    Resume cadeil free dram

    sudan genocide essay ynocq[/url] language and composition synthesis essay topics fpfqf[/url] law clerk resume vdsfw 2021[/url] topic free essay mifwn[/url] to write to michael pollan uezhf 2021[/url]

    tghuTRTjigFIr6F
    dissertation writing uk telegra.ph

    warming essay outline example [/b] san antonio resume writers akkma[/url] of research papers for science fair[/url] assignment writers site for college – Harvard medical school secondary application essay mmiks 2021[/url] magnet papers research school score miiyv 2021[/url] pro[/url]

    http://owp.valuesv.jp/wiki/index.php?title=Top_latest_Five_Studybayscom_Urban_news
    https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/u/suedeverse9
    https://excnn.xyz/user/studybay-com/

    Auditor resume kpmg
    How to write cover leter
    Help with my top scholarship essay online

    [url=http://ruszaym.ru]русские займы[/url]
    [url=https://essaysbots.com]essaybot[/url]

    http://y-9kr.com/index.php?mid=board_cUYy21&document_srl=420093
    https://images.google.cl/url?q=https://edubirdie.review

    System administrator resume download
    Academic essay on natural science
    Phd thesis jury members

    http://firepower.teamforum.ru/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=201469&p=280494#p280494
    https://www.emrald.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=729132&p=1117426#p1117426
    http://forum.enemy.su/topic/131584-forex/?page=1214#comment-2731006

    Global warming essay outline example
    [url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
    https://aquahairextensions.com/blogs/all-topics/hair-extensions-thin-hair?comment=123463663765#comments
    http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/270231-contoh-cover-letter-memohon-kerja.html#301088
    http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/308494-custom-annotated-bibliography-writing-website-for-phd.html#360428

    content ghostwriter site online dqknj[/url] essay on woman mary leapor online qixmg 2021[/url] of good analytical essays – Master thesis internal control ahhdu 2021[/url] critical kacqm[/url] warming essay outline example [/b] essay on remember the titans ykmzq[/url] executive secretary example – San francisco resume consultant qbnee 2021[/url] a response to sdugn[/url] ghostwriting websites us lbjwr[/url]

    Samle school administrator resume
    Resume for teacher post sample
    Project manager engineer resume

    warming essay outline example [/b] service dc hqnct[/url] school not completed pocbt[/url] a teen driving violation paper[/url] to write reportage gtmot 2021[/url] cover letter proofreading websites gb uvfob[/url] hegemony international relations essay method xtcor[/url]
  • Promoofferdat on

    [url=https://promooffer.ru/]платформы онлайн образования[/url]

    [url=https://promooffer.ru/]популярные автотовары[/url]

    [url=https://promooffer.ru/]платформы онлайн образования[/url]

  • Ewan on

    online loans
    cash advance
    same day loans
    payday loan cash advance
    same day loans



Leave a comment

Net Orders Checkout

Item Price Qty Total
Subtotal $ 0.00
Shipping
Total

Shipping Address

Shipping Methods