Sheetal Ohri who is a successful and experienced entrepreneur, an accomplished communicator gives an insight in her writing journey. In this candid conversation she talks about the book, her inspiration, work life balance and a lot more.
1. How was your experience writing the book? Was it challenging to go through the memories all over again?
Writing the book was definitely time consuming. Sometimes, it was weeks on the same chapter, re-writing chapters, thinking and planning on chapters, numbering them, detailing and then formulating everything by doing the research etc. Challenges were in the form of writing, it was emotional, memories used to hit hard and at times I used to stop for weeks before I could continue. The memories of pain of being away from my son, injustice of court system, dealing with immigration aspects of two countries, dealing with memories of what I had to go through and then thinking and still be strong to write the book to help others who would be in my situation gave me the courage and motivation to continue to write.
2. What kind of research did you do while writing the book?
I went through many law books, family law data, self-help centers details for various states in the USA. There was extensive research done on the custody sharing and visitation rights, children psychological effects due to parental alienation and many other researches like South Asian Domestic Violence and or Women’s Help center details. Some of the immigration and other visa researches and other required researches to compile the book. I had to do research while writing the book and then offered this as resources for readers and people who may need this help in the book.
3. Share more about your radio show ‘Making a Difference with Sheetal Ohri’ and the podcasts you have contributed to.
“Making a Difference with Sheetal Ohri” is over 10 years old. It airs every Sunday on San Francisco’s largest South Asian FM radio station Bolly923FM. I started the show with just one thought in mind which was how to create a positive impact on the listeners minds and to showcase individuals, companies, nonprofits and or local and national leaders and political heads to the Radio station listenership and empower them with their stories and journeys. I believe my Radio talk show is successfully doing so.
After I wrote the book, many known local US podcasts interviewed me and we talked about Custody, Custodial rights and many other aspects relating to my book.
4. How did you find support in such difficult times?
My work, restarting my life, establishing myself from the beginning while contesting for child custody made me stronger. Volunteering with local and community based Non profits and giving back in some form or way by assisting is what gave me the support and motivation to deal with the difficult times and keep moving forward.
5. Share more about your career as an entrepreneur and the work you’ve done.
My journey has been in various fields and workings. I started my career in the hospitality and travel industry in India and moved on to managing restaurants and hotels in London. For the past 29 years I have worked in top companies and name brand hotels and restaurant chains managing the departments of PR, Marketing and Sales, Operations and Facility and construction management. In the last 14 years, I have branded my own name as the CEO and founder of Sheetal Ohri Inc in San Francisco California. I have won many California State Legislative, California Senate awards for her work. She has worked with various companies and individuals from USA and India doing Media, branding, PR, consultancy work. I have had my own weekly radio talk show “Making a Difference with Sheetal Ohri '' for the last 10 years. The radio talk show started airing in 2012 on San Francisco’s largest South Asian Am radio station and has been going for over 6 years now on Bolly923Fm which is San Francisco’s largest South Asian FM radio station. I launched Silicon Valley Awards-SVA ``Making a Difference” in 2012. These awards were the first of its kind Red carpet glamorous affair awards in San Francisco. I have launched, directed and produced the first Bollywood Broadway show “Bollywood Dreamz- Journey of a Star '' in 2013, using local talent. I have recently authored a book in 2021 “Custodial Battle” which has been a reflection of issues and challenges I faced while going through my own son's custody situations due to Immigration status. I decided to write situations to help and provide resources to other immigrant parents in need of understanding the US family courts.
6. Do you plan to write another book? And what are your thoughts on taking up writing as a full time career?
My second book is in the writing stages. It should be published by the end of 2023 or early 2024. I have not thought of taking writing as a full time career as of right now as I am very involved with my Entrepreneur work, philanthropic workings etc and wish to continue those duties.
7. What were the thoughts behind writing a fictional story taking inspiration from your own, and not an autobiography?
The thoughts behind writing a fictional story taking inspiration from my own was to guide and help parents who were in a similar situation as mine. Thinking if I could be the voice and bring them resources and an understanding of the family law system, then at least they could have better results than I did during the years I was going through my issues. My autobiography still has years to be published.
8. Do you think this is a common issue faced by immigrants?
Most common issues faced by immigrants are the Immigration status, then per immigration status, their rights and mostly lack of knowledge of the local and state laws. In reality, immigrants do face these issues.
9. When did you start writing Custodial Battle, and can we expect another book? If Yes, when do you plan to finish it?
I started writing Custodial Battle somewhere towards the end of 2018. Yes, I am working on my second book which should be out by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
10. Who is your biggest critic? What were his/ her thoughts after reading The Custodial Battle?
My biggest critic is myself. It took me a long time to finalize the book for publishing as I was never sure if the book was completed to give understanding and guidance to other immigrant’s and provide them resources via my book.
