On Your Terms® - podcast cover

On Your Terms®

Sam Vander Wielensamvanderwielen.com
A podcast for online business owners who refuse to choose between revenue and a real life. Most business advice tells you to hustle harder, post more, and "always be on." I'm here to tell you that's BS—and I have the multi-seven-figure business to prove it. I'm Sam Vander Wielen, and I've built a thriving online business while protecting my mornings, unplugging at night, and actually living the life I built my business for. Every week, I share the marketing strategies, legal foundations, and lifestyle boundaries that keep my business profitable without stealing my peace. Whether you're building your first six figures or scaling past seven, this show will help you grow your revenue without sacrificing your presence, your sleep, or your sanity. Because success isn't just about how much you make—it's about having the freedom to actually enjoy your life. New to my world? I’m a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur who built an 7-figure digital product business helping thousands of founders legally protect and grow their online businesses. These days, I’m here to share not just the legal clarity but the lessons, stories, and strategies that make business and life more fulfilling. I'm the author of the best-selling book, When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy, and a weekly newsletter called Sam's Sidebar. Originally a proud Philly girl, I now live ON Long Island with my husband, Ryan, and bernedoodle/velcrodog, Hudson.
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Episodes

149. Navigating Grief [ft. Therapist, Gina Moffa]

Losing someone close, or facing a significant personal loss, is an indescribably painful experience. And keeping a business afloat, creating content, and supporting a community while being immersed in grief is a challenge that’s hard to grasp until you’ve been through it. Gina Moffa, an NYC-based psychotherapist with a rich history in trauma and grief work, including roles at Mount Sinai Hospital and aiding Holocaust survivors, has penned "Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go: A Modern Guide to Nav...

Aug 28, 202355 minEp. 149

148. This Mindset Shift is KEY to Growing Your Biz (A Quick Lesson from Ted Lasso)

Ah, Ted Lasso, the beloved show that marries the world of football – or soccer – with humor, heart, and hope. But who'd have thought this popular series could provide us salient lessons for business? Today, let's unravel a key takeaway from season three episode seven and understand its significance in the world of business. In this episode, you’ll hear… What this Ted Lasso moment can teach us about business Focusing on the most important aspects of your business Applying this new approach to you...

Aug 24, 20236 minEp. 148

147. What Trader Joe's Can Teach Us About Business [foot soldiers, decision fatigue + keeping it quirky]

Today, we’re diving deep into the world of Trader Joe’s. Whether you’re an ardent fan of their cookie butter or just an occasional shopper, there’s no denying that Trader Joe’s has made a mark in the grocery world. But beyond our personal shopping lists, what can we, as business owners, learn from them? This episode marks the beginning of a special series where I dissect the strategies of big corporations and tease out the lessons we can apply in our own businesses, regardless of their size. And...

Aug 21, 202331 minEp. 147

146. What My Failed Chocolate Cake Teaches Us About Business

Have you ever put too much pressure on yourself — whether in business, in life, or in the kitchen? We all have. In this episode, I share a real-life tale about baking a chocolate cake for a neighborhood gathering. You'll hear about how a seemingly disastrous baking incident turned into a delightful treat, with some insights into self-doubt and perfectionism along the way. In this episode, you’ll hear… My (ruined?) chocolate cake story Pushing through self-doubt The downside to expertise If you’d...

Aug 17, 202310 minEp. 146

145. What Starbucks, Dunkin', Costco & BJ's Can Teach Us About Dealing With Copycats

Ever wonder why Starbucks seems to be the trendsetter in the coffee world and how Dunkin' has rebranded itself to compete? In this episode, I dive into the world of coffee, exploring how giants like Starbucks and Dunkin' define trends and strategies, and what that teaches us about business differentiation and entrepreneurship at any size. I also draw parallels with Costco and BJs, and how they've adopted each other's successful strategies like adding gas stations and upping their organic game. J...

Aug 14, 202329 minEp. 145

144. Should We Really Use AI in Our Businesses?

Are you curious about implementing AI, like chatbots and GPT-based systems, in your online business? Or maybe you're already using it? Well, it's not just about the latest technology; there's an intriguing legal dimension to consider. Along with marketing considerations, these are aspects that demand our attention. So buckle up, because we're diving into both the marketing and legal landscapes of incorporating AI into your online strategy. In this episode, you’ll hear… Some potential use cases f...

Aug 10, 202324 minEp. 144

143. Conquer Your To-Do List + Be More Productive [ft. Online Business Strategist, Louise Henry]

Picking a productivity system for my business was an absolute game-changer — and I credit Louise Henry with giving me the tools to take full advantage of it. In our conversation, we deep dive into productivity, goal-setting, and identifying the perfect platform for your content. Believe it or not, you can truly scale your entrepreneurial productivity without putting in extra hours—all you need are systematic processes and clear-cut daily priorities. In this episode, you’ll hear… Unexpected chall...

Aug 07, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 143

142. Let’s Talk Threads (Twitter Legal Threat, Toilet Content, Where Does it Fit In Our Content Ecosystem?)

We're diving into a new kid on the block in the social media world, Threads, and discussing the exciting (and a little controversial) developments between Twitter and Threads. As an entrepreneur, staying open-minded to the potential uses of new platforms is essential, but so is knowing the ins and outs of some serious legal issues that can come with the territory. So, let's get into it! In this episode, you’ll hear… The legal issue between Twitter and Threads Keeping up with the social media ham...

Aug 03, 202335 minEp. 142

141. How to Get People On Your Email List

Hey there! I'm beyond excited to talk about a topic that has been such a pivotal part of my business journey - email marketing. It's not just about the sales; it's the intimate and personal connections I've been able to build with my subscribers that make it so special. Remember those days when email lists were all the rage, then somehow fell out of favor? Well, I stuck to it, and now look at the resurgence of email newsletters and platforms like Substack! My main advice - focus on the type of c...

Jul 31, 202359 minEp. 141

140. We Need to Talk About Dupe Culture

Okay, we have to talk about dupe culture. The trend of recommending cheaper alternatives to high-priced luxury items has taken over TikTok and kicked off the careers of many influencers. But what maybe started out as a good-intentioned hustle has turned into something else, and it has some dangerous implications for online business owners. We're going to explore the moral and legal responsibilities we, as business owners and consumers, face when dealing with dupes. In this episode, you’ll hear… ...

Jul 27, 202321 minEp. 140

139. Build an Evergreen Product That Practically Sells Itself (without being salesy!)

In my experience, there’s one factor that can make or break the success of your online business: the product. It might sound obvious, but with all of the talk around branding, marketing, funnels, and things like that – which are important – it can be easy to lose sight of the importance of having a really solid product offering. Today I’m here to talk about creating a product that sells 24/7 without having to be super salesy. I’ll cover how many products I recommend you sell at any time, how to ...

Jul 24, 202337 minEp. 139

138. We’ve Got to Talk About Ambition

Online business owners are often, by their nature, ambitious people. After all, they’ve chosen the harder path in order to reap the rewards. I’ve been recently reflecting on my own ambition and the role it plays in my life. It’s something that I think all business owners can examine and question. I’m all about building a business on your terms, but equally as important is building a life on your terms as well. In this episode, you’ll hear… The ambitious nature of entrepreneurs Letting yourself t...

Jul 20, 202317 minEp. 138

137. Picture This: A Steady Flow of Sales of Your Program (I’m Teaching You How!)

Does the idea of pouring in hours of work on Instagram posts, Reels, and TikTok videos only for them to be practically in less than a week have you reeling? What if I told you there’s a different way – a BETTER way? It’s not too good to be true. In fact, it’s what I’ve done to market my business… and you can do it too. I’ll share my evergreen strategy, combining organic and paid marketing, that focuses on content that withstands the test of time and brings in the right customers over and over ag...

Jul 17, 202331 minEp. 137

136. My Big Secret: REVEALED!

I’ve been teasing some news for a while now, and it’s FINALLY time to share it with you: I have a book deal! I was staying vague for, ironically, legal reasons, but I’m excited to put it out there. You’ve been following me on this journey from finding a book coach to getting an agent , and I plan to keep you in the loop as much as I can as the project moves forward. Tune in to hear the latest update on my book-writing journey as well as where it’s headed! In this episode, you’ll hear… The latest...

Jul 13, 202312 minEp. 136

135. How to Stand Out + Attract Your Ideal Clients Organically

How do you make the transition from a startup business owner to sold out and scaling? You start off with the basics: Finding high-quality, paying customers - wherever you are in your business. We’re going to take a look at what some of the biggest companies are doing and scale them down to fit your business, finding a unique value proposition, getting to know your ideal client, and how to establish an expert status and use it to find customers. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why most business own...

Jul 10, 202345 minEp. 135

134. At what stage should I legally form my business?

When you’re just starting your business, it can be confusing to know when you need to start getting all the legal aspects of your business in order. One of our listeners recently asked: "At what stage of the business building and planning process should a Solopreneur mindset life coach in the just-getting-started stage of business who has no audience, list, offers, or market reach yet (but is very active on social media) apply for a FEIN, get a business address, business bank account and form a ...

Jul 06, 20238 minEp. 134

133. Life Update

Something that a lot of business advice leaves out is that every entrepreneur is a whole person with a personal life beyond their business. I’ve always been honest with you about what’s going on in my life, even if I only share a small part of it. Today, I want to share some updates on where I’m at, what’s happening in my life, and what you can expect from me and On Your Terms® in the future. In this episode, you’ll hear… How I’m dealing with a double-dose of grief Why I’m grateful for building ...

Jul 03, 202325 minEp. 133

132. Can I use one LLC for more than one Business?

Today we’re tackling a question I've seen quite a lot, most recently from our listener, Deborah, who asked: Is it possible to place multiple different ventures under a single LLC? While the short answer is yes, it might not be the most practical or beneficial strategy due to the legal risks involved. If you're wondering what this looks like, then stick with me as we dig deeper into this topic. In this episode, you’ll hear… The risks of keeping multiple ventures under one LLC Offering multiple se...

Jun 29, 20237 minEp. 132

131. How to Grow a Podcast + YouTube Channel [ft. Creator, Katie Steckly]

Many entrepreneurs dream of that “going viral” moment, but no one ever seems to talk about what comes next: Things start to go back to normal. That's why creating consistent, perennial content is key to sustainable success. Katie Steckly, an authority in the sphere of perennial content and social media, joins us to share why evergreen content is so important to your business. We delve into selecting the most suitable platform for your needs, devising a content strategy, essentials for getting st...

Jun 26, 202349 minEp. 131

130. How Long Can You Get Away Without Legal Coverage?

When it comes to business registration, that only applies to “real” business, not your online business – right? In this episode, I'm here to answer a question listener Cara asked: "My online coaching business isn't registered, and apparently it doesn't need to be, but is there some kind of public liability or protection policy I can add?" In this episode, you’ll hear… Whether your online business needs to be registered The importance of business insurance How proper contracts protect your online...

Jun 22, 20235 minEp. 130

129. How to Write a Book (with a small platform!) [ft. Book Coach, Richelle Fredson]

Writing a book is a wild ride, but one that can be worth the trip for many entrepreneurs – if you go into it for the right reasons. In this Summer School episode, we’re revisiting a conversation with book coach Richelle Fredson, who has been invaluable in my own book writing journey (if you want to hear how that’s going, listen to my latest update in Episode 115 ). She shares practical tips about how to go into this process with the right mindset, what options you have when it comes to publishin...

Jun 19, 20231 hr 6 minEp. 129

128. How to Hire (legally!)

In this episode, we're delving into the nitty-gritty of legally hiring employees for your online business. You ask, and I answer! Listener Laura wrote in wondering about the legal steps involved in hiring employees. To tackle her question, I thought we'd kick things off by revisiting the difference between employees and contractors. In this episode, you’ll hear… Getting a legal foundation in place first Hiring help with HR Required documents and setup for hiring an employee Becoming a better bos...

Jun 15, 202311 minEp. 128

127. How to Give Great Talks [ft. Speaker Coach, Mike Pacchione]

Public speaking is such an important skill to learn, and it can be a huge advantage in your business if you do it well. In this Summer School episode, we’re revisiting an interview with the great Mike Pacchione. We talk about why speaking well is important, what makes a speaker good or bad, and whether it’s possible for a bad speaker to become great. We also talked about the areas most speakers need to improve upon (and how they can do it), three tangible things to make your speaking more entert...

Jun 12, 20231 hr 20 minEp. 127

126. What Kind of Legal Stuff Does Your Size of Business Need?

Do you ever worry that your small business doesn't need the same legal protection as the big guys? That's like saying you don't need a seatbelt because you're only driving down the block! Today, I'm answering a question from one of our listeners, Candice, who asked about how legal contracts and business matters differ for small shops compared to larger ones. It's an excellent question, Candice, and one that I think many of us have – so let’s dive in! In this episode, you’ll hear… Getting legally...

Jun 08, 20235 minEp. 126

125. Why You Feel Burnt Out on Social (+ How to Fix It) [ft. Video Marketing Coach, Natasha Samuel]

For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be running what I call Online Marketing Summer School. We’re going to be revisiting some past episodes geared toward helping you level up (or kick-off) your online marketing strategy! We’re kicking things off with one of my favs: an interview with Natasha Samuel of The Shine Online Podcast! Natasha Samuel is the host of The Shine Online Podcast and an Instagram strategist that helps small businesses... well, shine online. Through intensive strategy days, digita...

Jun 05, 202358 minEp. 125

124. Can You Write Your Own Contracts?

Do contracts need to be looked over or written by an attorney to be legally binding? As always, I'm here to demystify the complex legal jargon for you and empower you to grow your business on your own terms. In this episode, you’ll hear… Whether a contract needs to be written by an attorney What makes your contract unenforceable Ensuring your contracts are legally binding If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot o...

Jun 01, 20236 minEp. 124

123. Real Talk: Your Business Doesn't Have to Light Your Soul on Fire

Has the popular narrative of 'soul-level work' ever made you question whether every aspect of your business is something that should light your soul on fire? If so, let's take some time to unpack this today. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why it’s unrealistic to expect your business to provide unending joy How the realities of running a business impact your daily life Making room for evolving passions and interests If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a revie...

May 29, 202338 minEp. 123

122. Can You Use Other Brands' Trademarks & Images?

What are the legal concerns when it comes to using pictures of another company’s branded products in your business? That’s what we’re diving into today! Jill asked, I'm currently creating a PDF to be sold on my website that's something along the lines of a "healthy food swaps" grocery guide. Within that document, I'm including specific pictures of branded food products. Do you happen to know if I'm legally able to sell a document with images like these? In this episode, you’ll hear… Using copyri...

May 25, 20238 minEp. 122

121. Should You Call People Out in Your Industry?

Today we’re going to talk about Kenny G., “real jazz,” and how that relates to business. We’ll explore powerful lessons for entrepreneurs about authenticity, value, and standing out in a crowded market. Let’s dive in! In this episode, you’ll hear… What a feud between two jazz musicians has to do with your business Finding what makes your business unique Getting back what you put out into the world If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcas...

May 22, 202331 minEp. 121

120. When Do You Need to Get Legal Stuff in Place?

New business owners have a lot to deal with: applying for an EIN, getting a business address, starting a business bank account, and forming an LLC, among other things. I get it. It can feel like you're putting the cart before the horse if you don't have an audience, an email list, or any offers yet. But let me tell you, there's a different way to look at this. We'll unpack this perspective shift in our chat today. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why you should start getting legal protection in pla...

May 18, 202312 minEp. 120
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