S. Renee Smith - Self-Esteem For Dummies

Vivian Harte has taught assertiveness skills to over 10,000 students worldwide through the ed2go.com online course Get Assertive! From being a shy child, she developed her own self-esteem. She earned a bachelors degree in sociology and a masters degree in public administration with a specialization in energy policy. She was instrumental in writing the City of Tucson Energy Plan. In the mid-1990s, she was the chair of Concerned Arizonans for Renewable Energy that took solar and energy legislation to the Arizona legislature, and most proposed bills were passed into law. She was a commissioner on the Tucson-Pima County Metropolitan Energy Commission that advises the Tucson City Council and Pima County Board of Supervisors. She also was the chair of the Arizona Solar Energy Association, which is a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, and she has educated many people in the public about solar energy.

She was the Arizona manager for the Southwest Public Recycling Association, assisting rural communities around the state to begin recycling programs, hosting workshops for Arizona recycling coordinators, and writing the states manual on recycling. She also hosted her own radio and television shows for many years in Colorado Springs, Minneapolis, and Tucson.

Vivian has 14 years of experience teaching in the college classroom four years at the University of Phoenix and ten years at Pima Community College, where she taught Women in Society classes, which included working with students to improve their self-esteem.

Find out more about Vivian at www.self-esteem-course.com .

S. Renee Smith, a nationally recognized self-esteem and branding expert, image consultant, and motivational speaker, has worked with over 50 clients across eight industries including healthcare, banking, education, retail, nonprofit, state, government, legal, and religious organizations. Some of her clients include Cigna, Wal-Mart, Bank of America, University of Delaware, Alabama State University, and the National Black MBA Association.

S. Renee is endorsed by and shares platforms with such well-known international speakers and leaders as Chicken Soup for the Soul originator Jack Canfield, ABC journalist and author Byron Pitts, and winner of The Apprentice, entrepreneur and author Dr. Randal Pinkett.

With over 20 years of image development experience, she launched her speaking business in 2005. She is the author of three popular books, There Is More Inside; The Bridge to Your Brand: Likability, Marketability, Credibility; and Our Hearts Wonder: Prayers to Heal Your Heart and Calm Your Soul. She is also a resource to the media.

S. Renee serves on United Way of Delaware Women in Leadership Council and the Commission on Early Education and the Economy. She is honorary commander of the Department of Defense Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, a commissioner on the City of Dovers Human Relations Commission, and serves on the board of Delawares largest philanthropic organization. Among many recognitions for the impact she has made on others lives, July 17, 2010, was declared S. Renee Smith Day in the City of Buffalo.

A former QVC model, television talk show host and spokesperson in Philadelphia, and public relations director, she has worked for Fortune 500 companies in marketing and management. Find out more about S. Renee at www.srenee.com .

From Vivian: I dedicate this book to my parents, Jeanne K. Swearingen and Robert Swearingen, who encouraged my self-esteem, even when I was down on myself. One of my mothers favorite phrases while I was growing up was You have so much going for you! My mother was very excited about me writing this book, but she passed away before it was published. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for your love and deep belief in me. (Dad gets a copy of the book!)

From S. Renee: In honor and gratitude to my parents, William J. and Reverend Shirley M. Smith, Sr. Your unconditional love, patience, and support have given me the wings of faith. Because of you, I really believe that I can fly.

From Vivian: I wish to thank my 4th grade teacher in Galion, Ohio. Mrs. Stella Ertley chose me to be part of a trio of girls, and she took us to sing in churches and on the radio. Because of Mrs. Ertley, I gained confidence in my voice and performing ability and I learned how to present myself before an audience.

Im also indebted to my ex-husband Clay Adams, who increased my belief in myself as we performed on many stages together. In addition, he introduced me to the man who was instrumental in arranging for my scholarship for my masters degree. That degree enabled me to become a college faculty member, which then led to this book. I also would like to acknowledge my current husband Toby Schneider for supporting me in writing this book and listening to my adventures in creating.