I am preparing myself for classes I will soon be teaching. I will share the details with you all as we work out all the . . . details. I can say that both classes are on blogging: Beginning blogging and Blogging as a business (for income).

As I am creating my presentations and worksheets, I am diligently studying site after site of . . . well . . . everything blogging. The posts/articles that have particularly caught my attention, not so much for teaching purposes, but because they are what I am most interested in are the ones on Branding.
There I was reading post after post on branding when an amusing thought came to mind. I giggled out loud because if there is one thing I know it’s . . . branding one’s self.

When I first started this blog, I wanted to build the Queen in Heels brand and for the most part I have done so. I use the logo socially online before I show myself. People are familiar with the logo and that is great. Yet, as I have grown as a blogger and entrepreneur, I realize that I and the Queen in Heels are one.

I, Sharon Rainey AKA The True Urban Queen am Queen in Heels.





The True Urban Queen was the first name I adopted when I began blogging. Actually, my personal blog was . . . is . . . under that title. The blog which I no longer update, but keep telling myself I want to once again begin updating, is located on blogspot. I erased all of the posts once, then started updating again, then stopped.

Anyway, originally I wanted to call myself The Urban Queen. “Urban” because I am from the city. “Queen” because . . . that really doesn’t need an explanation. The “True” became part of it – after I went on Myspace to create a profile and The Urban Queen was taken. The nerve! So, in my “oh no she didn’t” state of mind, I added “True” because I am the REAL – The (True) Urban Queen. Ha! Judge me, I don’t care.

I had a friend, who as a gift had a personal logo made for me. The heel on this logo is an actual heel from my closet (the ones pictured above). I insisted that if this logo was really about and for me then, my favorite pair of heels had to be used (with the design tweaked a bit). Well, I didn’t insist . . . that wouldn’t have been nice when someone is giving you a gift . . . I suggested. Yes, suggested is a nice word.





I very much use this logo to identify me and plan on using it more as I pursue other ventures. So, when you see that logo . . . you know that I am behind it.

I love my logo. Love it! I love it so much and I am so into branding myself (and my projects) that I have it tattooed on me. Yes, I literally branded myself!





This is my first tattoo. I have had it for a year now. One would think that the name of my 2 children would have been my first tattoo. Nope! I made a motherhood failure 101 move, I had my logo inked in supersize on my back. Sure, I know that not having your children’s name tatted on you doesn’t make you a bad mother. However, when a mother decides to get a tattoo and the brand makes it on her body before the children . . . side eye to self.

Anyway, when I had the tattoo done and showed it to a friend her first words were something like (but not exactly), “There is no going back now.” No, she was not talking about the permanent ink and how painful laser removal is. She meant that I had no choice but to continue on the path to my dreams (as if there were any other options).

My personal logo is on my back right shoulder and all summer I am like a walking billboard. I have had so many comments made and questions asked about my tattoo that it had to be the best advertising dollars spent (and the only money I have spent on such things). I have now decided to have Queen in Heels tatted on me . . . I am only having the words (no picture) inked on my skin. However, don’t worry; Mommy is going to have a vine with the children’s name growing within it tatted on her first.

Bloggers, Entrepreneurs, and Artists how are you branding yourself??

1. Lose the Competiveness: Yes, it is a cut throat world when it comes to getting to the top. That doesn’t mean we need to trample each other over on the path or throw each other off the mountain on our way up. Everyone has their own skills and methods for how they will achieve their goals. Actually, everyone has a different place on the mountain they want to reach. Some are content with journey, others with making it midway, and for some the top is the only spot to be. Just because you beat someone to a certain point doesn’t mean you are strong enough to stay there or ready to move to the next one. The point I am trying to make is quit worrying about where the women around you are climbing to and worry about the point you want to reach and how you will achieve it. Quit sizing up others and evaluate yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? How can you improve your skills?

2. Fight the Jealousy: She received a promotion at work, but instead of congratulating her and going back to what you need to do to move ahead; you run to a corner and sulk (or worse to a co-worker). Remember this — when all you do is sit around, watch and fret about what someone else is doing, you miss out on the opportunities that you need to learn, grow, and improve. In other words, your jealousy is only hurting you.

3. Stop the Cattiness: This actually goes hand in hand with jealousy. The first thing, one does when the green eyed monster is awaken inside them – attack the person. What makes her so great? Who did she sleep with? I can do this better. I know how to do that better. Well, if that is the case, go use your energy to do it — better. Stop leaving snarky comments, writing nasty posts, and/or unfollowing someone because they did something to get a step closer to their dreams.

4. Follow/Friend: The simplest way to support someone is to follow/friend them online. Bloggers, women small business owners, authors, etc . . . greatly appreciate all of the followers of their Facebook and Twitter pages.

5. Communication:: If you have followers/friends on social media sites they are not there just to make you feel popular. They would like to get to know you and vice versa. When you send out your thoughts and someone replies – kindly reply back. Show the appreciation you have for those who follow you by thanking them, having meaningful updates, and by being receptive to conversation.

6. Comments: This is beyond the normal “comment on blogs” conversation many are having. This is about relationships. You and a co-worker are friends on Facebook. She makes a status about the great news she received at work – let’s say she was given a great review. No one makes a comment on the status. How do you think she feels? How would you feel? A simple “congrats” comment can do so much for a person, as can a kind word when a “friend” is having a bad day.

7. Share: You read a blog post you liked or a tweet that you thought was inspiring, obviously, the next logical thing to do is share it with your network. Well, think of other ways you can share and support. If you know of a job opening at your place of employment, how about sharing it with others on Linkedin or Branched Out — there may be someone in your network in need of employment. Do you know of a free family event? Share it with your Facebook friends (and family) — many parents, living on a budget, are looking for fun and free activities for their children.

8. Introductions: Online communities and sites such as Linkedin allow making connections simple. If you have two “connections” that would benefit from meeting one another; make the introduction.

9. Have Respect: Do protect your connections. Value your connections as you would any of the precious items you possess. Only share (introduce) them with those who are truly worthy of such great connections. Also, respect the opinions and lives of others. Networking is just for that – networking. It is not for you to convert sinners into saints.

10. Promote: Yes, number 6 on the list is share, which would seem the same as promoting – it isn’t. Promoting is helping those who are small business owners or bloggers or authors promote their product . . . free of charge. If you have a friend/colleague who has self-published a book which you read and loved. Tell everyone about it on Facebook, Twitter, and on the blog. This is more than just sharing – this is promoting. Believe me your friends will appreciate the free marketing because paid advertising can be expensive.

There you have it 10 easy ways to provide online support to other women. What other ways can we support each other online? How have you provided online support to others? What does online support mean to you?

2. Chrissie Morris “Yazmin” Multi-Stripe Sandal: Stingray and patent leather striped platform sandal. The 5.5-inch heels retail for around $979.

3. Giuseppe Zanotti Striped Canvas Platform: Canvas peep toe platform with leather trim. The 5-inch heels retail for around $750.

4. “Liska” by Thomas Kirchgrabner: Orange, cream and grey stripe ankle boots featuring a square toe and back zip. The 5.5-inch heels retail for around $682.

5. ALDO Rise Weatherbee Pointy Striped Heel pointed toe heel with a fluffy back panel, metal eyelets and lacing trim detail. The 4.5-inch heels retail for $218.

6. Manolo Blahnik Pamukfac: Grosgrain pointed toe pump in two-tone stripe pattern. The 4-inch heels retail for $655.

7. Stuart Weitzman’s “Logoswoon”: Fabric wedge. The 3 1/4-inch heels retail for around $325.

8. “Nanci” by Guess: Sailor striped pump with cork platform and peep-toe. The 4 3/4-inch heels retail for around $85.

9. This heel is not available any longer. I did not realize this until after I had finished.

10. A. Friend by A.F. Vandevorst: Red and white striped leather pumps. The 3-inch heels retail for around $410.

11. Pierre Hardy Striped Wedge Sandal: Bi-color canvas platform wedge with adjustable ankle strap. The 5-inch heels retail for around $590.

12. Naughty Monkey “Overboard”: Printed fabric slingback with goring tab at toe box. The 4 3/4-inch heels retail for around $53.

More GUESS…

L.A.M.B “Igomen” platform sandals . . .





These camel leather sandals with a pop of coral colored crisscrossed fabric across vamp feature an adjustable ankle strap with buckle closure. The 6-inch heels retail for around $295.





“Champagne kisses hold me in your lap of luxury, I only want to fly first class desires, you’re my limousine. So elegant the way we ride, our passion it just multiplies. There’s platinum lightning in the sky, Look I’m livin’ like a QUEEN”

L.A.M.B. ‘Imogen’ Sandal