ChewyLicious: A Family’s Mission Of Love, Awareness, And Acceptance

ChewyLicious, a Massachusetts-based small business founded by Jesselyn Manta, represents a deeply personal journey transformed into a mission-driven brand. Rooted in the lived experience of a mother raising two nonverbal sons with autism and sensory processing disorder (SPD), the company has grown into a source of comfort, empowerment, and community for countless families navigating similar paths.

ChewyLicious began with a single need: finding a safe, effective way to help Jesselyn’s sons, Matty and CJ, manage their sensory needs. Both boys, now ages eight and seven, exhibit different responses to overstimulation—CJ often bites his shirts and fingers to self-regulate, while Matty resorts to biting his hand when overwhelmed. After trying various tools, Jesselyn discovered chewable necklaces, often referred to as “chewelry,” which provided both boys with a functional and comforting outlet. What began as a therapeutic solution soon became part of their daily routine, offering not just physical relief, but emotional reassurance.

As the Manta family experimented with different shapes, textures, and designs, the children began engaging with their sensory aids in a new, empowered way—choosing pieces that reflected their personalities and preferences. That emotional and sensory connection sparked a business idea. Jesselyn recognized the potential to help other families like hers by offering durable, high-quality sensory chewelry through a brand built with firsthand insight and deep empathy.

ChewyLicious is unique in its approach. It is not a typical e-commerce store—it is a family-run operation where every member plays a part. Matty, who thrives on routine, proudly handles packaging and mailing out customer orders, forming a key link in the fulfillment process. CJ contributes by helping choose which products to feature on the website, ensuring that offerings reflect real sensory preferences. Jesselyn’s daughters keep the brand relevant by tracking design trends and helping with apparel styling. Her husband supports the operation behind the scenes, encouraging resilience in the face of challenges.

The brand’s sensory chewelry line has since expanded into a broader autism awareness movement. In response to public misunderstanding and negative feedback encountered during initial promotional efforts, Jesselyn decided to broaden the mission. She began designing autism-themed apparel—pieces that not only offer a sense of identity and pride but also prompt conversations around neurodiversity. These clothing items have become catalysts for education, replacing judgment witareh understanding.

“ Our designs aren’t just clothing,” said Jesselyn Manta, founder of ChewyLicious. “They’re statements. Each shirt, each piece of jewelry is a way to say, ‘My child is amazing just the way they .’”

Integral to the mission of ChewyLicious is giving back to the autism community. A portion of all sales goes toward funding tablets for nonverbal children—tools that are essential for communication in many households. For Jesselyn’s own children, tablets serve as their voices. This understanding fuels a commitment to helping other children access the same critical resources.

“We believe every child deserves a voice,” Jesselyn shared. “For many kids, that voice comes in the form of a tablet, and we want to be part of making that accessible.”

The donations made possible by ChewyLicious customers have already provided tablets to families in need, directly improving the lives of children who rely on assistive technology to express themselves, learn, and connect. This philanthropic mission distinguishes ChewyLicious not only as a provider of sensory tools and awareness apparel but as an active participant in supporting neurodivergent children beyond commercial transactions.

The impact of ChewyLicious is a reflection of its authenticity. Every product is made and packaged with care, and every design originates from a real story and real people. This transparency and connection to lived experience have allowed the brand to build trust among parents, educators, and therapists seeking supportive tools for children with sensory needs.

Although ChewyLicious continues to grow, it remains grounded in its founding values: family, empathy, and advocacy. By blending personal experience with thoughtful product development and community involvement, the business exemplifies how small enterprises can generate large-scale impact through focused, heartfelt missions.

As the autism community continues to expand, the need for businesses like ChewyLicious—those that not only understand but also serve from within the community—becomes even more significant. The Manta family’s story serves as both a testament to resilience and a blueprint for building inclusive, purpose-driven brands that prioritize understanding, inclusion, and support for all children, regardless of their communication styles or sensory experiences.

For more information, visit ChewyLicious.org or follow along on Facebook.