2 NJ Moms Started A Business That Hires Staff With Autism. Now They Have A Physical Space.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Beloved Bath, a Maplewood-based candle and bath products store founded by two moms of sons on the autism spectrum, held a ribbon cutting on April 2 — World Autism Awareness Day — for their first physical space.

The space will be used for manufacturing the products, but the owners will also see people there by appointment and host monthly open houses for shopping. (To make an appointment
email [email protected].)

Company owners Pam Kattouf and Pat Miller cut the ribbon alongside Maplewood
Mayor Dean Dafis and Deputy Mayor Victor De Luca, and were joined by some of the staff who have autism.

Before this month, most of the products were manufactured in a private basement.

"This new space allows us to employ more people with autism and allows schools to be able to come to our new space and for students to learn vocational skills," Miller said.

Moms Met On The Playground

The pair met in 2000 when their children were toddlers. They both found that their sons with autism were calmed after having salt or lavender baths. Eventually they started a business together.

"Beloved Bath is a bath products and candle company with a mission to provide meaningful employment for people with autism," the pair noted in a release. "Products are made onsite at their Maplewood location."

Miller explained, “Individuals with autism are often underserved and underemployed. Their skillset lends itself beautifully to the tasks we have at Beloved Bath, from making soaps and candlesto packaging items. They take great pride in their work, and they help us create our best-
selling line of products.”

Pam Kattouf added, “Individuals with autism provide an untapped pool of talent and contribute to ourbusiness in so many ways. We believe it is so important to highlight their potential!”

Their New Foundation Helps Adults With Autism

To better serve people with autism, Pam and Pat recently launched the Beloved Bath Charitable Foundation, which serves to improve the lives of adults with autism and related disabilities.

Donations support vocational training and services for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, grants and mentorships for businesses focusing on autism employment, and programs related to employment and adult life for those with disabilities.

To browse or purchase Beloved Bath products, visit www.belovedbath.com. To learn more
about or to make a donation to the Beloved Bath Charitable Foundation, visit www.belovedbathcharitablefoundation.org.

The building is located at 220 Rutgers St. in Maplewood.

Other Autism-Friendly Business Nearby

Meanwhile, Beloved Bath isn't the only local business that hires staff with autism. To read about Words Bookstore in Maplewood, click here.

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