On Your Terms®

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

Most entrepreneurs underestimate Q4, but this podcast reveals five key strategies to thrive without Black Friday sales. Learn how to create urgency with end-of-year messaging and plan for January launches. Discover the power of consistent content to stay ahead in a crowded marketplace. Find out how to run holiday sales early and the surprising advantage of tax deductions. Tune in for a mindset shift that turns limiting beliefs into opportunities for growth!

Grief isn’t something most of us plan for when we map out our businesses, but it will change you, and by default, your business too.In this episode, I open up about losing both of my parents within a year and the ripple effects grief had on me as a CEO, business owner, and human. I’m not sugarcoating it—grief is messy, unpredictable, and permanent. But I also share how I navigated those darker seasons, how I adjusted my business when I had no capacity for “growth mode,” and what it looks like to run a business alongside grief today.Whether you’re in the thick of anticipatory grief, have lost someone, or simply want to understand how grief impacts entrepreneurs, I hope this episode helps you feel less alone.In this episode, you'll hear… Why anticipatory grief can feel invisible and misunderstoodThe way grief changed my identity—and how that shows up in my businessHow I made decisions in my business when I had zero bandwidthThe role of steadiness (not hustle) in navigating tough seasonsWhy grief doesn’t go away, but how I’ve learned to live and work with itClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarEp 254: The NEW Way To Structure Your Workday for Better ContentMoving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go by Gina MoffaThe Book of Alchemy by Suleika JaoudGet $25 off Cometeer Coffee [affiliate link]Click 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

Can you actually build a successful online business and keep your personal life private? Spoiler: yes, you can and you don’t have to feel like you’re choosing between being safe and being successful.I know what it’s like to wonder if sharing that story, posting that photo, or writing that email is too much. Over the last eight years of building my multi–seven-figure business, I’ve had to learn the hard way how important it is to protect my privacy online—not just for safety, but for sanity too.In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the six exact steps I take to keep my personal details safe while still showing up authentically for my community. If you’ve ever worried about oversharing online, creepy comments, or what info people can access about you, this one’s for youIn this episode, you’ll hear…Why protecting your privacy matters even if you’re just starting outThe 6 steps I use to stay safe while running a public online businessSimple swaps you can make today (like updating your email footer address)Best practices for posting on social without feeling like you’re hidingWhy “anonymity” online isn’t real—and what to focus on insteadHow to set healthy boundaries with your audienceClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:How To Turn Your Instagram Location On or OffGet Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarKit - what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link) Click 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

Have you ever caught yourself stuck in “plan to plan” mode? You know, where you’re endlessly researching, collecting info, or waiting for the perfect time to finally start that new project, pivot your business, or chase down that dream idea?If so, this episode is for you.I’m sharing why waiting for that “right time” is usually just procrastination in disguise, how my own big life pivots were shaped by unexpected challenges, and why the “first pancake” approach is the best way to finally move forward. Whether it’s watercolor painting, launching a program, or simply sending the dang email, it’s time to stop overthinking and just start.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why waiting for the “perfect moment” keeps you stuck longer than you thinkThe real dangers of endlessly gathering info (hello, overwhelm!)How to build your business confidence without outsourcing your gut instinctWhy conflicting advice online is a recipe for paralysisThe “first pancake” method to get moving even when you don’t feel readyA personal story of how I finally stopped waiting and took actionClick 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"Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar Click 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