We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shetal Shah. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shetal below.
Shetal, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I love the depth of this question since normally discussions on this rarely address how to support the individual being affected. After finding myself in these spaces many times, I have had to learn to change my mindset so that I began to view them as a powerful source of motivation. I had to learn to regain control of a situation that I did not have control over by remembering that I bring a unique set of skills, experience, and perspective to the table, and that if I wanted to change how a room looked then I needed to be brave in being the catalyst for change for those behind me. Embracing this mindset wasn’t instantaneous; it grew over time. There are still days when summoning the energy to share my voice feels daunting. In those moments, having a support network becomes invaluable. I have found that prioritizing my well-being while navigating these spaces is an essential tool in sustaining the grit required to be a singular force. For me, affinity groups and mentorship have been anchors in navigating such environments. Whether as a teacher finding solace in faculty affinity groups or seeking guidance from mentors who understood my journey, these connections provided much-needed support and empowerment. Mentorship, especially, offered me a roadmap for growth and the assurance that someone believed in me and my aspirations. Since I have embarked on my journey as an author and entrepreneur, I have met individuals with similar pursuits and backgrounds who are embracing collaboration over competition. I’m able to find refuge and seek help from them when I need it, while cheering each other on. They are my peers and mentors from whom I learn from and am inspired by, and who remind me of the value that I bring to the table. It was just the other day I offered similar advice to my son, 11 years-old, who enjoys extracurricular activities that historically lack diversity. I told him to not let the lack of diversity deter him from aiming high; I told him let it inspire you and push you to prove to the world that you, and children like you, belong. And while he’s at it, it’s my job as his parent to make sure he is exposed to as many role models and mentors to help him and validate him along the way.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the author of the children’s book, ‘Shakti Girls’. ‘Shakti Girls’ is a collection of biographical poems about remarkable and trailblazing women from India. These are women who were and are pioneers in their industries, defied stereotypes, and overcame barriers, many of whom were well beyond their time. Their stories of resilience and triumph were incredibly inspirational to me and propelled me to move forward in publishing this book so that the world could be inspired in the same ways that I was when I came across their stories.
I am a former middle and high school world studies teacher and school administrator, most of which were spent at all-girls schools in New York City and Atlanta. In those roles, I learned how impactful it is for girls, especially girls of color, to see themselves represented in the books they read and the curriculum they learn. This fueled my mission to give voice to those who are underrepresented and to inspire the next generation with role models and stories they don’t often read or hear about.
I’m currently writing the second book in the ‘Shakti Girls’ series, featuring a new collection of inspirational stories of women from India. I’m excited to share these stories, as many of these women are pioneers in industries you wouldn’t even imagine!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I can’t believe it’s been over two years since I embarked on this publishing journey! Being new to this industry, I learned a few lessons, but I think the three qualities or skills that helped me navigate this new space and stay positive in the process were: Embrace and embody a love for learning. While I’m no longer in the classroom, I still consider myself an educator and lifelong learner. I love learning and trying new things—maybe it’s the challenge or the excitement of the unknown—but the perpetual student in me helped me develop the questions and find the answers when I decided that I would write and publish ‘Shakti Girls’. I had to be honest with myself about what I do know, what I don’t know but can learn, and what would be out of reach for me to accomplish. That exercise led me to identify the people, classes, and workshops that would be instrumental in helping me learn the skills and knowledge needed to successfully publish and launch ‘Shakti Girls’. Whenever we step into a new world, there are undoubtedly going to be areas that we are unfamiliar with, and we have to be okay with that as long as we have the willingness to learn and grow.
Finding purpose in what you are delivering. On the cloudiest days or when I was feeling burned out, especially from marketing, reminding myself of why I wrote ‘Shakti Girls’ and the young lives it would impact pushed me to keep going. Whether your purpose is to bring a smile to a child’s face or help them dream big, that purpose or your why should be one that resonates with you and matters to you. For me, writing ‘Shakti Girls’ was also a personal endeavor to heal from a childhood where I rarely saw myself represented in media and curriculum. And while things have improved in recent years, I’m still keenly aware of rooms and spaces that need more diverse representation, including children’s literature. Writing books like ‘Shakti Girls’ has become my vehicle for making change in this one corner of the world.
Creating a plan and being okay with not sticking with it. Once I gave myself ample time to figure out how to create and publish a book, either from industry experts or authors themselves, I put together a project plan with target deadlines. This was probably the most important part of my process as it laid out every little step and detail that I knew I had to cover, keeping me organized and moving along. Without that, I would have been all over the place, and I don’t think I would be proud of the work that I accomplished. However, just as important, was being flexible with that plan because there were times that I had to push deadlines, add a step, or fix a mistake, and that’s okay as that’s part of the process. I learned about being flexible and targeted throughout this process, both I believe are important qualities to have when you are managing and leading a project.
For anyone who is thinking about stepping into a new venture or is about to, take the time to learn about the industry. Give yourself ample time before jumping in—learn what is currently selling, trending, and what the gaps are in the marketplace. Analyze and learn from competitors in the space and experts in the industry. Don’t take shortcuts here because what you learn in this initial step will be instrumental in how you develop your product and position yourself in the marketplace. In this case, the internet is your friend and like me, scour the internet for blogs and videos from people who are already doing the work. Take advantage!
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Figuring out how to prioritize my ambitions and creative pursuits while meeting the demands of motherhood with two young kids is a challenge that continues to ebb and flow for me, and I’m sure for many moms. No matter how good I am at delegating tasks to my spouse and children (we all try to take ownership of tasks and chores), I still find myself with a laundry list of to-dos (no pun intended!) that have nothing to do with my dreams but are in support of helping others realize theirs. It’s a natural part of parenthood, but I feel that it is at odds with my goals on many occasions.
This year, I feel particularly strapped as I try to juggle supporting ‘Shakti Girls’ with marketing while writing and publishing new books. This latter part, which I am excited about, is now an additional project that requires tremendous focus and thought. However, to give new projects the attention they deserve, I realized that I’m going to have to make some shifts in how I’ve been scheduling and organizing my time.
So, every week, I have carved out days that are specifically for writing and creating. I am also simplifying my life by saying no to things that don’t bring me joy (thank you, Marie Kondo) and that infringe on the timeframe I have set aside every day to work on my creative pursuits. I keep a separate window open on my computer for work-related tasks to help me stay focused, and I frequent local coffee shops so that I’m not reminded of what needs to get done at home. And I’m giving myself grace and flexibility when it comes to social media marketing, posting when I can, and have the time for it. This has felt incredibly liberating. In the process, I am striking a balance between personal and professional endeavors while still being able to carve out time to enjoy my family. While it’s not always perfect and there are some weeks where I feel guilt and frustration for not getting enough done, I’m learning to forgive and let go and try again next week.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shetal-shah.com
- Instagram: @shetal.shah.writes
- Facebook: @shetalshahauthor
- Linkedin: @shetal-shah
- Twitter: @shetalwrites
- Youtube: @shaktigirls1395
Image Credits
Holland Reid Photography
