We were lucky to catch up with Ashante Parker-Shenbote recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashante, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

To be real, I didn’t plan on starting a business. I was working towards being a social service worker, ready to help people in that space. But when my son was diagnosed with autism, I had to shift everything. He needed me to be more present, and that meant I couldn’t work the way I used to.

At first, I was scared. I didn’t know how I was going to do both, be a full-time mom and still do the work I love. But I knew I couldn’t let go of my passion for helping people. That’s when I decided to start something of my own, something flexible, online, and still rooted in support and growth. That’s how Chatty Wellness was born.

I’ve always been chatty. Growing up, people made comments like I talked too much or needed to quiet down. As I got older I realized that being chatty is my strength. It’s how I connect, how I hold space, how I help people move through things. So I took that label and flipped it, made it something powerful instead of something to shrink.

Chatty Wellness became my way of showing up for others while still showing up for my family. I’m a mom of three, and my identity matters too. I needed something that felt like mine. This business gave me purpose at a time when I felt like I was losing parts of myself.

What makes it work? I keep it real. I don’t do that overly polished, out-of-touch coaching thing. I’m not here to pretend. I speak like me, I listen without judgment, and I let my clients show up fully as themselves. There’s too much pressure to “have it all together.” I create space for people to be honest and take steps from where they are.

I started Chatty Wellness because I saw a gap. Our community, especially Black folks need more spaces that centre wellness and self-care without all the fluff. I’m proud that I get to be part of that shift. This work is healing, not just for others, but for me too. And the best part? I get to be present for my kids while still doing what I love.

Ashante, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Coach Chatty aka Ashante Parker-Shenbote, founder of Chatty Wellness Life Coaching, Life Coach, Social Media Marketer and mom of three. My journey into this space wasn’t a straight path, it was personal, emotional, and full of pivots I didn’t expect. I was on the road to becoming a social service worker, but when my son was diagnosed with autism, everything changed. I had to be more present at home, which meant I couldn’t continue working in the same way. But I knew I still had a purpose: to help people heal, grow, and feel seen.

So I turned to online coaching and created Chatty Wellness, a space rooted in connection, communication, and care. The name comes from something that used to be thrown at me negatively growing up. I was always told I was “too chatty,” like my voice was a problem. As an adult, I’ve reclaimed that. Talking, sharing, holding space, that’s my power. I made my chattiness my brand, and it’s helped me connect with so many others who just needed someone real to talk to.

Through Chatty Wellness, I offer life coaching services, wellness workshops, community-centered events, and conversations that feel authentic and judgment-free. I’m also a human rights consultant, working with organizations and individuals to bring equity, compassion, and cultural awareness into their spaces. Whether I’m leading a workshop on goal setting, helping Black women reclaim their power, or advising on inclusion, everything I do is rooted in care and clarity.

What sets me apart? I keep it real. I don’t use fluffy language or hide behind clinical jargon. I meet people where they are, and I let them speak in their language, whether that’s emotional, spiritual, cultural, or just plain tired. I’m not here to fix people. I’m here to support them as they navigate their own journeys. I create space that feels safe, honest, and empowering. Chatty Wellness also has a women’s group called CW EmpowerHER, an online space curated for Black women to empower each other and grow together each month.

I’m most proud of being able to do this work while still being present for my children. It’s not easy being a mom and a business owner, but I’m doing it. I want people to know that it’s okay to pivot, it’s okay to do things differently, and you don’t have to sacrifice yourself to support others. You can live in your purpose and still hold your family close.

At the heart of it all, ChattyWellness is about creating more space for Black folks, especially women and caregivers, to prioritize themselves, their growth, and their well-being. I’m here for the folks who are tired of shrinking and ready to expand.

If you’re looking for a coach or consultant who brings warmth, realness, and a community-first mindset, you’re in the right place. I’m so glad you’re here.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I give free advice to people online, and that’s played a big role in growing my business. It helps me build trust, show my knowledge, and connect with folks who might not have reached out otherwise. That openness often turns into real relationships and long-term clients.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the clearest examples of my resilience is my journey with my son Ocean. He’s non-verbal and on the autism spectrum, and when he was diagnosed, everything in my life shifted. I had to make the difficult decision to pause my career in social services because he needed me in a different, deeper way. I was scared. I didn’t know how I was going to show up as both the present mother he deserved and still fulfill the deep passion I’ve always had for helping others.

But I didn’t give up. Instead, I reimagined what my purpose could look like.

That’s how Chatty Wellness was born. I took the part of myself that had always been a little “too much”, the talkative, expressive, deep-feeling girl and turned her into a guide for others. I made my voice my power. I created a platform that let me pour into people, coach them through their stuck points, and still be present for my children every day.

There are hard days, absolutely. Days where the emotional labor of caregiving and entrepreneurship collide. But I keep going, because I know I’m doing work that matters for my family and for my community.

Ocean (my son with autism) has taught me patience, strength, and how to listen without words. He reminds me every day that resilience isn’t loud, it’s in the quiet ways we keep showing up, even when it’s hard.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chattywellness.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chattywellness/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chattymuva?si=M9Eem1nYllJcEd5a
• Other: Tiktok:

  https://www.tiktok.com/@chattymuva?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc