Beyond Business: OSU finance instructor Bansal helps 11-year-old son publish book

Monday, July 21, 2025

Media Contact: Hallie Hart | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-1050 | hallie.hart@okstate.edu

Amit Bansal encourages fellow parents to teach their children basic financial concepts through fun, kid-friendly projects. 

The classic example of a lemonade stand comes to mind for Bansal, an instructor of professional practice in Oklahoma State University’s Department of Finance and expert on personal finance.

“Every business skill requires a lot of hand-holding — showing them how the business is run, counting money, doing the transaction, giving customers change,” Bansal said. “It inspires kids. The whole purpose is to give them a taste of entrepreneurship very early on.”

Bansal’s 11-year-old son, Shivam, is a budding entrepreneur, but he’s not selling lemonade.

Instead, he’s promoting his debut novel, “Secret of the Dragons.”

With his parents’ steadfast support, Shivam became a published author before graduating from fifth grade this past spring. An introduction to business is one bonus of his endeavor, but it’s not the reason he writes.

Shivam loves to use his imagination, and Bansal has nurtured his son’s dream.

“I already have all the inspiration,” Shivam said. “I just write whenever I feel like writing it. I just started Chapter 7 of the second book.”

At this rate, the sequel might be complete by the time you’re reading this article.

Shivam has brainstormed an entire series, The Dragonlands, which is set to contain 20 books. His fantastical saga involves two adventurous brothers, iconic mythical creatures and nature’s elemental powers, such as wind, water and fire.

It’s quite different from his father’s writing, which frequently appears as practical advice on the website of WalletHub, a personal finance company.

The dragons in Shivam’s book aren’t exactly preoccupied with savings or checking accounts, but the child’s writing reflects his father’s influence. 

As an educator, Bansal introduced his son to literature.

Bansal, who holds an MBA and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from OSU, is a longtime supporter of public libraries. When he borrowed books, he often shared the stories with his son, reading aloud from the time Shivam was an infant.

“I kept on reading and reading and reading,” Bansal said. 

After hearing so many tales, Shivam began to see stories in the world around him. Any action figure or block tower could have an elaborate, fictional backstory, and Shivam wanted to write about it. 

Noticing Shivam’s knack for storytelling, Bansal gave his son a laptop. About two years ago, Shivam started typing the draft that grew into “Secret of the Dragons.”

His parents kept believing in his vision. Bansal guided Shivam through the publishing process, teaching a valuable business lesson along the way. 

“I took him to the bookstores,” Bansal said. “I said, ‘OK, listen how we do a contract,’ so he’s seeing everything when he’s coming with me — how things are sold in the bookstore, supply, sales channels.”

They marketed the novel to Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City. Bliss Books and Bindery in Stillwater also sold copies, and the 139-page paperback novel is available on Amazon.

As word spread in the community, several Spears Business faculty and staff bought the book. Shivam’s friends from school showed support, too. The young author exudes joy when he talks to them about his literary ideas.

The novel’s description on Amazon includes a brief author biography.

The final paragraph: “Shivam hopes his work inspires other kids to write their own stories, explore their creativity and believe that age is never a limit when it comes to following your passion. His dream is to continue growing The Dragonlands series and share more magical tales with readers around the world.”

Shivam has shown his father the power of creativity, too. 

If parents want to teach their kids about entrepreneurship, there’s nothing wrong with thinking outside the box — or, outside the lemonade stand. 

“Now, they see this is a doable project, even if it’s just starting small,” Bansal said. 

The personal finance expert also looked at his son’s achievement through the eyes of a proud dad.

“It’s a great inspiration,” Bansal said.

Do you know a Spears Business faculty or staff member with a Beyond Business story to highlight? Share your ideas with Communications Coordinator Hallie Hart at hallie.hart@okstate.edu.