On Your Terms®

Sam Vander Wielen
  • 5.0 (133)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 1D AGO

    280. How I Got My First 1,000 Subscribers on Substack

    Everyone's talking about Substack — and maybe you're curious, a little skeptical, and 100% wondering if you actually need to add another platform to your already-full plate. (Spoiler: you don't need to. But you might want to after this.) In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how I grew my Substack, Beyond Business, to 1,000 subscribers using only organic strategies — no importing my 60,000+ person email list, no fancy custom design, no team of people building it out for me. Just consistent writing, a growth mindset, and a few simple (but powerful) tactics I wish I'd known earlier. You’ll hear… Why I started a Substack when I already have an email list of 60,000+ people (and why it's absolutely not an either/or decision)The #1 mindset shift you need before you ever publish your first post Why becoming a fan of the platform first is one of the most underrated growth strategies out thereHow I built a consistent writing habit — and what happened to my creativity when I actually stuck with itThe "idea bank" strategy that keeps me showing up even when inspiration goes on vacationWhy you need to bank essays before you let the world respond to your writingHow to use Substack Notes to grow your audience without burning outThe referrals and recommendations strategy I used to accelerate growth (and exactly how to ask for them without being weird about it) Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. EPISODE RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessEpisode 271. Why I Started a Substack When I Already Have an Email ListEpisode 279. What to Focus on First If You Want to Build an AudienceSam's episode of Amelia Hruby's podcast, Off the Grid AI All Stars by Gemma Bonham-Carter (custom GPTs for your business) (affiliate link)Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER

    43 min

  2. MAR 9

    279. You Have to Get Good First (Then the Audience Follows)

    If you’re trying to grow your audience for your online business, you’ve probably heard advice like “build the audience first” or “you need followers before you can launch.” But what if that’s backwards? In this episode of On Your Terms®, Sam shares the real foundation of sustainable audience growth—and why focusing on followers, email list size, or social media metrics too early can actually slow you down. Instead, she breaks down how mastering your craft (whether that’s writing, podcasting, video, or your core service) is what truly builds an audience that sticks. You’ll hear… Why obsessing over audience size can distract you from building actual skillThe “wedding vs. marriage” analogy that changed how I think about growthWhat I realized after being in a mastermind with serious writersHow to practice your craft in public without spiraling over metricsHow to consume content in a way that fuels your output (instead of becoming a content junk drawer)A simple way to audit whether your time matches what you say you want Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. EPISODE RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessGet Sam's Book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER

    35 min

  3. MAR 2

    278. Make This List If You're Burnt Out (It Changed Everything)

    Have you ever heard a quote at exactly the moment you needed it? Like it practically reached out and grabbed you by the shoulders? That happened to me recently when I heard this line from The Artist’s Way: "perfectionism isn’t a quest for the best… it’s a pursuit of the worst in ourselves. Oof. Holy cannoli. That one knocked me flat. In this episode, I’m sharing the simple exercise that helped me see my burnout in black and white—and how you can use it to finally exhale. You’ll hear… The quote about perfectionism that stopped me in my tracksThe unexpected way I realized I am a perfectionist (even though I swore I wasn’t)What I wrote on my “trying to do this perfectly” list—and why it shocked meHow this one list immediately softened my burnout and anxietyWhy doing “everything right” might actually be the thing holding you back Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. EPISODE RESOURCES: Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER

    18 min

  4. FEB 23

    277. The 6 Types of Rest (And Why Sleep Isn't Enough)

    If you’re building a business, doing “all the right things,” and still feel exhausted even after a full night of sleep… this episode is for you. So many entrepreneurs think rest is something you earn later — after the launch, after the revenue goal, after things finally feel “stable.” And that belief keeps you stuck in a cycle of pushing, white-knuckling, and wondering why you’re burned out even though you technically love your work. I’m breaking down the 6 different types of rest, why sleep alone won’t fix burnout, and how I’ve been intentionally weaving more play, creativity, and relief into my life and business — without stepping away from work entirely. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why sleep isn’t the kind of rest most business owners actually needThe 6 types of rest and how burnout can show up even when you “love what you do”How pressure, grief, and mental load quietly drain your energyWhat it looks like to rest while building — not afterSimple ways to add more joy, play, and creativity into your everyday life Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam's Book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Taking a Gap Year as an Entrepreneur: My Year of Letting Go in 2026Subscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessLeslie Stephens' Substack American Psychological Association - Types of rest Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER

    40 min

  5. FEB 16

    276. The Monthly Goals Method (Steal This)

    It’s mid-February (or honestly… March… or April… or whenever you’re listening), and if your New Year’s goals already feel like they’ve floated off into the abyss — you’re not broken. You’re just human. In this episode, I’m breaking down why January 1st is kind of a terrible time to set goals, especially if you’ve been navigating grief, uncertainty, burnout, or just… life. I’m sharing how I actually set goals now using a monthly goals method that’s way more realistic, flexible, and supportive — and yes, you’re absolutely allowed to steal it. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why January 1st isn’t actually a clean slate (and never has been)How grief, uncertainty, and burnout affect goal-setting more than we admitThe monthly goals method I use instead of New Year’s resolutionsHow to set goals when you don’t feel clear or motivatedWays to bring “new year energy” into any month of the yearHow to stay present and profitable without rigid long-term plans Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Leslie Stephens' Substack NoteListen to EP 274. 4 Tiny Shifts I Make Every Winter (so I feel cozy, not crushed)Listen to EP 251. How To Leave Social Media without Losing Your ClientsClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER

    38 min

  6. FEB 9

    How To Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026

    In this episode, you get to hear my full live training, “How To Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026.” I’ll give you the five steps every entrepreneur needs to take. We’ll cover shifting your mindset, registering as the right business entity, protecting yourself in case of a lawsuit, getting your contracts and policies in place, and staying within your scope of practice. Whether you’re a coach, course creator, service provider, or product-based entrepreneur, I’m walking you through the five simple legal steps you must take to set up your business, protect your content, and get paid confidently. No law degree (or stress spiral) required. In this episode, you’ll hear… 5 things you must have in place before accepting even $1 (more) onlineExact steps to form your businessShould you become an LLC or sole prop? Why you NEED to have business insurance (it’s so worth it)An actual method for figuring out what you can (and cannot) do online or when you’re NOT working under your professional license RESOURCES: The Ultimate Bundle® is on sale through February 13th. CONNECT: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on Instagram DISCLAIMER

    1h 22m

  7. FEB 9

    275. 6 Lessons I Wish I Knew 5 Years Ago

    There’s this moment in business where you keep thinking, okay… when does it get easier? When does the stress chill out, the money feel steadier, and you finally get to enjoy what you’re building? Here’s the sneaky truth I wish someone had told me sooner: the “someday” version of your life isn’t where the joy starts. The rise is actually the fun part. In this episode, I’m sitting down with the version of myself from five years ago (hello, 2021 Sam) and sharing the six lessons I wish I could’ve handed her in a note. These aren’t fluffy business platitudes — they’re the real, lived-in truths that only come from building a seven-figure business, navigating massive personal loss, and realizing the mountaintop doesn’t feel the way everyone promises it will In this episode, you’ll hear… Why the rise is actually the best part (even when it feels messy)The hard truth about the “carrot” always moving in businessHow chasing someone else’s version of success can quietly wreck your joyWhy you don’t need to be “one of them” to build a wildly successful businessHow to stay confident being a leader — especially when new platforms and trends pop upThe simple mindset shift that helped me finally loosen my grip on control Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now! CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER

    39 min

  8. FEB 2

    274. 4 Tiny Shifts I Make Every Winter (so I feel cozy, not crushed)

    When it gets dark before you’ve even wrapped up work for the day, winter can feel like it shrinks your whole life. Suddenly everything feels harder, heavier, and honestly… a little bleak. And while part of you might want to hibernate until April, another part of you knows that doesn’t really work when you’re running a business and trying to live a full life. In this episode, I’m sharing how I’ve learned to actually work with winter instead of fighting it. After moving from Philly to the north shore of Long Island (where winter is colder, darker, windier, and somehow five degrees colder just to be rude), I had to build a real winter toolkit — not just cozy socks, but mindset shifts, routines, and intentional rituals that make this season feel supportive instead of soul-crushing. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why your relationship with winter might be making it harder than it needs to beThe mindset shift that completely changed how I experience winterHow I intentionally design winter to feel cozy, grounding, and even enjoyableWhy winter is actually essential for creativity, energy, and long-term sustainabilitySimple routines and rituals that give you something to look forward to all season long Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarLearn about The Ultimate Bundle® on SaleGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER

    18 min
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5
out of 5
133 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Vander Wielen
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    288
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©️ 2025 Sam Vander Wielen LLC
  • Show Website
    On Your Terms®

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