Tell us a bit about yourself and your family?
I have been married for 35 years and I have two grown up children. We are a close family unit and even though we are all busy with our own work, we make time to spend together. As a mother, it is important for me that my relationship with my Millennial kids is founded on love and respect.
Have you had any formal training or family business?
I have a business degree, and I have worked as a book-keeper in our family-owned business. My dream to be a published author led me to develop my writing skills. The daily disciplined practice enabled me to hone my skills as a writer.
How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what was the process of turning that idea into a reality?
In these times, it is important to be able to adapt. After writing the eleventh book on self-esteem, I was thinking about what next. Around that time, I was asked if I would ghost write for a CEO. I was unsure at first, but I realised it was a great opportunity to learn about someone else’s life and journey. I took up the offer and discovered that I was quite adept at grasping the client’s story and turning it into a book, which has received rave reviews. That’s when I started my consulting business, working with clients either as a book coach, or as a ghostwriter depending on their needs.
How have you grown as a leader since starting your company, and what have been some of the key lessons you've learned along the way?
The most important aspect of leadership, which I believe, is to be open to learn from others, young or old. It is necessary to have a growth mindset. Besides that, there are 3 key lessons.
Key lessons:
- Communication: Being able to communicate effectively is vital to build connections in every area of life. Relationships are built on good communication. There will be different kinds of people that will cross our paths. Being able to handle and deal with difficult personalities requires tact and skill. The ability to interact and build connections is a very important aspect of being a leader.
- Vulnerability: Sharing about mistakes or certain failed experiences helps to build credibility. The willingness to show that it is okay to make mistakes and learn from them, is an indicator of a compassionate leader.
- Vision writing: Every leader has a vision about the future. Journaling the vision is what makes it clearer. Writing is part of my daily routine, therefore daily journaling brings thoughts to the surface and I can keep a record of a future plan. This enables innovative thinking to create change.
Can you tell us about a time when you faced a major setback or failure in your business, and how you overcame it?
Setbacks and failures are part of life. When my first few manuscripts were rejected, I took it personally. I felt bad. However, over time I learnt from the experience and began to hone my skills to become a better writer. Eventually, my books received great reviews and were accepted and published by well-known publishers. Another experience is when I started offering writing services. I wrote a biography for an acquaintance, there was no formal contract or agreement, and I didn’t get paid for my services. Now, I ensure that I have a written agreement before starting any project with a client.
How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals, especially during challenging times?
It is invigorating to write about people who have such incredible stories to share. Their lives are full of amazing experiences and I feel honoured to be part of their journey to write a book. Coaching has helped me to learn about different kinds of professions and cultures. Everyday I wake up with a sense of gratitude to be able to learn and discover so much from writing and reading. I love what I do, therefore I am constantly motivated.
How do you balance your personal life with the demands of running a business?
Being able to juggle multiple roles is part of being a homemaker. I have learned to make time for myself and my business. It takes conscious effort to create balance, otherwise it will not happen.
What are your plans for the future of your business, and how do you see yourself evolving as a founder and leader?
My future plans are not set in stone, I like to understand trends, read about what other businesses are doing, and then decide on goals. The future holds endless possibilities as a creative writing coach and ghostwriter. In almost every field, the ability to write effectively is a key element of communication. I will keep evolving according to the needs of the times.
If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Recognise that you are worthy of respect, love, and admiration. Believe in yourself, and you will achieve great things in life.
What's the most important lesson you've learned from a failure, and how have you applied it to your business?
It is important to discover your niche. What is it that you offer that is different from others? Once you do find out your uniqueness, you can apply it to your business.
What's the most meaningful compliment or feedback you've ever received from a customer, and why did it resonate with you?
‘Your book changed my life.’ When I received this feedback I was deeply touched. I felt that all my years of writing has been validated by that one compliment. Self-esteem affects almost 85% of the world population. It is heartening to know that my book Self-esteem in a Selfie World has created a positive impact and helped someone.
Find Shobha Nihalani on social media:
LinkedIn - https://hk.linkedin.com/in/shobha-nihalani
Instagram - shobhan.author.lifecoach
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shobhanihalani
Checkout Shobha's work and how she can help you
Hope you enjoyed reading Shobha Nihalani’s story!
Do write to us if you'd like to share your story with the women community of SOROR - The Sister's Edit.
SOROR - The Sisters Edit is a platform where strong, independent women can unite to share skills and passions; including professional expertise, personal experiences, dilemmas, lifestyle edits, and more.
You are welcome to make an account on the website and upload blogs to make a connection with the readers.
Allow the readers to learn from your life and journey, and trigger a constructive dialogue.
Also, did you hear about our new mobile app?
Click here to know all about it and join the waitlist (Beta test team) to win great prizes.
Team SOROR
( Singapore )