On Your Terms®

It’s that time of year again — when everyone online suddenly becomes a color-coded-notion-board-wielding planning expert. But before you map out your entire 2026 vision board, we need to do something way more important: figure out what you actually want.In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact reflection + annual planning exercise I do every single year — the one that helps me make decisions based on how I want to feel, not what the latest marketing trend says I “should” be doing. This episode pairs with last week’s 2025 reflection episode, so if you haven’t listened to that one yet, go queue it up next.PLUS — I’m trying something new today. I pulled a random question from the “More, Tell Me More” connection cards I won at a mastermind retreat (yes, I was voted Best Strategy at my table and the whole room — no biggie). I answered it… and I want you to answer it too. If you love this segment, email me or DM me and tell me to keep it!And before you dive in, don’t forget: I created a free 2026 Annual Planning Guide that includes every question I ask in this episode and space for you to jot down your reflections and goals. Grab it in the show notes!In this episode, you’ll hear…The connection-card question I pulled — and the unforgettable story about the stranger who changed how I think about human connectionWhy planning for 2026 means starting with how you want to feel (not arbitrary goals like “50K followers”)How to imagine your ideal day next year so you can reverse-engineer what needs to changeWhy so many entrepreneurs felt unstable in 2025 — and how to honor what actually happened before planning aheadThe questions I use every year to figure out what I truly need in my business and personal lifeA guided reflection to set aligned, realistic, energizing goals for 2026Click 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"Listen to the How to Grow Your Email List Series PlaylistSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessDownload Sam's Annual Planning GuideClick 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:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMER

This conversation highlights the importance of reflection before diving into new year planning. It introduces six life categories for self-assessment, covering health, finances, work satisfaction, connections, joy, and curiosity. Listeners learn how to measure success by progress, not distance, and are prompted to evaluate their accomplishments and what they’ve let go. Engaging exercises help identify personal accelerators and constrictors to guide energy for the upcoming year. It’s all about intentional growth and finding balance.

If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor while trying to write your weekly newsletter and thought, “What in the whole enchilada am I supposed to say?” — today’s episode is your permission slip to stop overthinking and start structuring your emails in a way that works for you and your audience.I’m breaking down the two classic newsletter formats (and why I don’t follow either), the hybrid structure I swear by, and the eight must-have elements your weekly emails need if you want them to be opened, read, clicked, and shared.Whether you're brand new to email marketing or finally ready to clean up the spaghetti-at-the-wall approach we all start with — this episode gives you practical steps to build a bingeable, forwardable, valuable email your people will look forward to every week.In this episode, you’ll hear…The two traditional newsletter formats — and why a hybrid approach winsWhy story-driven writing builds connection (and how to use it well)How to structure “predictable sections” and weekly “boxes” your audience can rely onThe three core goals every email should have (and how to choose yours each week)How many links to include — and the right balance between your content vs. other people'sEight essentials you must include in your weekly newsletterHow to write subject lines + preview text that actually get openedMy #1 habit that instantly elevates the quality of your emails (and makes them sound human)Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarListen to Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 of the "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to Epi 262. The 6 Weekly Anchors Behind My $8M BusinessWatch my email walkthrough trainingClick 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:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMER

Struggling to grow your email list with freebies? Discover why most freebies fail and how to create ones that truly engage. Learn to reverse engineer your freebies from your core products and tailor them to resonate with your audience’s needs. Explore innovative formats like opt-in series and gamified content. Find out essential elements for high-converting opt-in pages and the metrics to track for success. Focus on promoting fewer, high-quality freebies to maximize engagement and sales.

Discover a fresh approach to email list growth that skips the typical freebies. Learn how to position your newsletter as the primary value, attracting future customers rather than freebie hunters. Dive into designing engaging content, choosing formats, and creating predictable, consistent newsletters. Explore promotional strategies using social media storytelling and effective opt-in pages. This method has proven successful, adding thousands of subscribers annually without the hassle of traditional funnels.

Struggling with stagnant email list growth? Discover why a mindset shift is crucial for success. Learn to define the purpose of your newsletters and how to audit your current strategy for leaks. Sam reveals strategies for promoting your freebies in the right places and stresses the importance of consistency in messaging. Gain insights on reversing content to engage sign-ups and integrating email growth into partnerships. Each actionable tip is designed to boost your list while giving you back valuable time.

You’ve probably heard me say before that your business only grows as much as you do — and I mean it.Because no matter how many marketing tricks you try, or how well you plan your next launch… none of it matters if you’re running on fumes.In today’s episode, I’m sharing the six weekly anchors that keep me grounded, creative, and energized enough to run an $8M business — and not one of them has to do with marketing. These are the personal routines and boundaries that have built the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished in my business and my life.Whether you’re building toward your first six figures or scaling beyond seven, these anchors will help you protect your energy, your creativity, and your mental health — the real ingredients of long-term success.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why taking care of yourself is one of the most strategic business decisions you can makeWhat my “Sunday Preheat” routine looks like (and how it keeps my week from falling apart)The planning process I use each week to set priorities and avoid overwhelmHow I protect time for movement, rest, and creativity — even when my schedule’s packedThe mindset shift that helped me stop seeing self-care as “extra”How you can create your own set of anchors that make your business (and your life) work betterClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Listen to Episode 1: Community Over Competition is BS: Tips to Navigate Your Competition in a Healthier WayRead Sam's Substack The Girlboss Who Died With My ParentsRead Sam's Substack How I Broke Up With InstagramGet Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

Thinking about starting an online business—or finally making your “side hustle” official—but don’t want to get buried in legal confusion? This episode is your crash course on exactly how to start your business the right way before 2025 ends.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 licenseYour 2025 To-do List: things to do before Dec 31st to make your biz legally soundRESOURCES:The Ultimate Bundle® is on sale through Oct 24, 2025. If you buy it before Oct 22nd, 2024, you’ll receive 3 bonus templates + my last live call of the year.CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

Building a seven-figure business is often glamorized, but the trade-offs are real. Learn why only 1% of one-person businesses reach that milestone and which ten priorities are crucial for scalable growth. Discover how to create a flagship product that resonates, master customer messaging, and protect your privacy while producing content. Sam shares insights on profit versus peace, investing in your team wisely, and the importance of genuine relationships. Embrace the hustle—but avoid the burnout!

So you love something—cooking, crafting, wellness, design—and you think, this is it, this is going to be my dream business! But then… crickets. No sales, no growth, no happy dance notifications from Stripe. Sound familiar?Here’s the thing: passion is wonderful, but passion alone doesn’t pay the bills. In this episode, I’m sharing my own story of turning my love for cooking into a failed business (ouch) and the exact lessons I learned that helped me build a seven-figure business the second time around.I’m breaking it all down into three “chapters” so you can see how to go from high passion/low strategy → sustainable, profitable business you actually love running.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why starting a business on pure passion can actually set you up for burnout and disappointmentThe most common mistake new entrepreneurs make when turning a hobby into a business (I made it too!)How to shift from thinking about what you want to what your audience actually needsWhat to do when the excitement wears off and the sales don’t come rolling inHow to tweak your idea so it’s both fulfilling and profitableClick 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: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Entrepreneurship"Listen to The Real Cure for Burnout Isn't Rest - It's Creativity. Here's How Anyone Can Unlock TheirsClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop