On Your Terms®

The first quarter of the year zoomed by, prompting a crucial moment for reflection. Discover how to assess your past achievements and setbacks to guide future decisions. Learn about common planning pitfalls entrepreneurs face and why it’s vital to understand the successes and failures. Key questions for evaluating your goals and a straightforward framework for setting and achieving Q2 objectives are revealed. Plus, get a sneak peek into a free annual planning guide to streamline your growth efforts!

If working harder was the secret to success, every burned-out entrepreneur would be rolling in cash. But we both know that’s not how business works. If you feel like you're constantly grinding, spinning your wheels, and still not seeing the growth you want, this episode is for you. We’re diving into the biggest myths about hustle culture, why working more doesn’t equal more success, and what actually moves the needle in your business (without burning you out).In this episode, you’ll hear…Why more work doesn’t always mean more success (and what actually does)The three biggest problems that come from overworking without a real strategyA smarter way to grow your business that doesn’t lead to burnoutWhy “toilet content” is keeping you stuck—and what to do insteadThe one content strategy that helped me scale my business while working lessClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Listen to Why Hitting Your Goals Won’t Make You Happy (But What Actually Will) [Happy Trap Series #1]Listen to The Business Advice That’s Keeping You Stuck (And What Actually Works) [Happy Trap Series #2]Listen to Why More Followers Won’t Fix Your Business—But This Will [Happy Trap Series #3]Get notifiied when each episode of On Your Terms® comes outCONNECT: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

If you’ve ever thought, “If only I had more followers, then I’d make more sales…”—this one’s for you. Because, spoiler alert: That’s just not how it works.There are people with 10,000 followers struggling to make ends meet, while others with just 1,000 followers are making multiple six figures. So what actually moves the needle in your business?Today, we’re busting the “more followers = more money” myth and getting into what really makes your business grow. Plus, I’ll share how to make the most of the audience you already have—so you can start seeing results right now.This is part three of my Happy Trap series! If you missed parts one and two, don’t worry—I’ve linked them below so you can catch up.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why more followers won’t magically increase your revenueThe real factors that drive sales (and why they have nothing to do with your follower count)How to position yourself as an authority, so people trust and want to buy from youWhy focusing on engagement > growth will make all the difference in your businessMy best tips for turning your current audience into paying customersClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Listen to Why Hitting Your Goals Won’t Make You Happy (But What Actually Will) [Happy Trap Series #1]Listen to The Business Advice That’s Keeping You Stuck (And What Actually Works) [Happy Trap Series #2]Get notifiied when each episode of On Your Terms® comes outCONNECT: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

Have you ever felt like every business "guru" is shouting about one perfect strategy—the magic formula for hitting $10K months? But no matter what you try, nothing seems to stick?Yeah, I’ve been there too. When I started my legal templates business eight years ago, I kept hearing that I had to run my webinar live first before making it evergreen. But life had other plans—my dad was sick, and I simply didn’t have the time. So, I went against the advice of all the experts and launched my webinar as evergreen right away. And guess what? It worked.Now, eight years later, that little funnel has generated over $8 million. So, let’s bust the myth that there’s only one right way to build a successful online business.This is Part 2 of The Happy Trap series, where I’m diving into why chasing a perfect formula holds so many entrepreneurs back.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why the idea that there’s only one right way to grow a business is a total mythThe four things that actually create a successful online business (hint: it’s not the latest trending strategy)How to filter out the noise from business gurus and trust your instinctsWhy marketing positioning and differentiation matter more than any specific strategyHow to experiment, track what works, and stick with it long enough to see resultsJoin the Free Legal Workshop to learn how to get your business legally protected today!Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Sign up for my free weekly email “Sam’s Sidebar” Juilliard Jazz Prof Hears Nirvana For The First TimeClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now! CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

Remember when you first started your business? You might have had all these goals, dreams, and ambitions, and thought that once you hit those milestones, you'd be happy and finally feel successful. So what's the deal, then, when you've come so far and achieved so much…but you still aren't happy?In this episode, you’ll hear…What the Happy Trap is, and how we fall into it as entrepreneursWhy success in your business won't necessarily make you feel fulfilledWhy you feel stuck after hitting goals you thought would bring you happinessWhat you should actually be focusing on in your business to beat that Happy Trap feelingJoin the Free Legal Workshop to learn how to get your business legally protected today!Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Get notifiied when each episode of On Your Terms® comes outCONNECT: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

Ever feel like you’re the only one who doesn’t have it all figured out? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share the surprising story of how Saturday Night Live stars Bill Hader and Andy Samberg met for the first time—each one secretly convinced that the other was the one "doing it right". Spoiler alert: they both were.This story perfectly captures one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves in business, creativity, and life: that everyone else knows what they’re doing while we're somehow lost or that we need to follow what *they're * doing in order to be more successful in our businesses. The truth? Most people are figuring it out as they go—just like you and me. In this episode, you’ll hear…✅ The Bill Hader & Andy Samberg SNL story and what it reveals about imposter syndrome✅ Why the belief that “other people have it all figured out” is keeping you stuck✅ How to shift your mindset and stop waiting until you feel “ready”✅ BIG NEWS! A new 4-part podcast series starts Monday, March 3, 2025✅ Other big news: My book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy, is available for pre-order and releases on April 15, 2025! 🎉Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Sign up for my free weekly email “Sam’s Sidebar”Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!Get notifiied when each episode of On Your Terms® comes outCONNECT: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

It's been a weird couple of months on social media, from content policing to apps disappearing and reappearing, new features and different trends - things have definitely changed and reached a tipping point for 2025. So how are you going to ride the wave, and keep your sanity amidst this ever changing landscape?In this episode, you’ll hear…What types of content people will be drawn to, and how you can create it without burning yourself outWhy "old fashioned" marketing and connections are seeing a big comebackWhen to use AI to your advantage without replacing yourselfHow you can prepare and adapt to the new trends moving forwardClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Sign up for my free weekly email “Sam’s Sidebar”Get notifiied when each episode of On Your Terms® comes outCONNECT: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

If you want to start an online business — whether as a coach, course creator, maker, or service provider—you must have your legal foundations in place. The online business space is facing more scrutiny than ever, and you don’t want to get caught off guard.In this special replay of my live training “How to Legally Protect Your Online Business in 2025,” I walk you through exactly how to legally protect your business so you can confidently grow it without fear of accidentally doing something wrong.In this episode, you’ll hear…The 5 things you need in place before accepting even $1 onlineWhy the law is cracking down on online businesses—and how to stay compliantStep-by-step instructions for forming your business entityLLC vs. sole proprietorship—what’s actually best for you?Why business insurance is a non-negotiable (seriously, don’t skip this!)How to legally offer coaching or services without violating your professional license (huge for therapists, doctors, and other licensed professionals!) A complete walkthrough of the legal must-haves—whether you’re in year 1 or year 10 of your online businessThe legal stuff might not be the most fun part of starting an online business, but it’s what keeps your online business safe, sustainable, and profitable. 🎉The Ultimate Bundle®—BIGGEST Sale of the Year Ends Friday, 2/14! 🎉Want the contracts, policies, and legal protections your business needs—without the headache of figuring it all out yourself? The Ultimate Bundle® gives you everything you need to legally protect your online business, from contracts to step-by-step legal trainings. 🎉Now on sale for the biggest discount of the year—but only until Friday, 2/14! 🎉👉Grab the Ultimate Bundle® before the sale ends: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/ub-bonus/ Let’s get your business legally protected—so you can focus on growing with confidence! RESOURCES:The Ultimate Bundle® is on sale through Feb 14, 2025 only. If you join before Feb 12, 2024, you’ll receive a copy of my book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy" + 4 LIVE support calls with me in 2025 + 3 additional legal templates (NDA, podcast guest contract, collab contract).CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramGet the Ultimate Bundle®DISCLAIMER

When I met with my stylist, there were things I noticed about each of the clothing items I loved and the ones I hated. I started to realize that there were consistencies in any of the items I liked wearing, enough so that it became really easy to get rid of anything that wasn’t similar to my beloved items. Tune in to hear how noticing these same types of patterns in your own business’s messaging and content will help you to easily determine what’s working, and what isn’t, so you can spend more time pursuing those things that help drive your business forward.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why the things you’re doing in your business right now are working (or not)Where to focus your efforts to find the greatest returns on your goals and visionThe importance of understanding what elements you need to build an audience, and have them stick aroundHow practice makes perfect, and why analyzing your successes and failures will help you grow your businessClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Conni Jespersen on InstagramGrab The Ultimate Bundle® on SaleGet notifiied when each episode of On Your Terms® comes outCONNECT: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

When you first start a business, much of your day may be spent casually networking or binging all of the free content related to entrepreneurship (that was me! 🙋🏻). It's very tempting to get caught up with consuming rather than doing, so it's important to check in with yourself and determine if what you're filling your days with in the now will help to build your business in the long run.In this episode, you’ll hear…The mindset shift I needed to implement early and often to build a successful businessWhy it's vital to have measurable, concrete attainable goals spelled outHow finding your focus in your business will help yield your biggest steps forwardWhat it really means to silence your self-doubt and become your biggest promoterClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Sign up for my free weekly email “Sam’s Sidebar”Grab The Ultimate Bundle® on SaleClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!Get notifiied when each episode of On Your Terms® comes outCONNECT: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