

On Your Terms®
Sam Vander Wielen
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 11, 2025 • 1h 42min
How To Legally Protect Your Online Business in 2025
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

Feb 3, 2025 • 24min
229. What Hiring a Stylist Taught Me About Building a Successful Business
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:Sign up for my free LIVE legal workshopOrder my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Conni Jespersen on InstagramClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now! CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERMentioned 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

Jan 20, 2025 • 21min
228. The Surprising Shift That Took My Business From $0 to 7-Figures
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” Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now! CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERMentioned 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

Jan 14, 2025 • 11min
🚨 TikTok on the Clock: What a TikTok Ban Could Mean for Creators
The (potential) TikTok ban has been making waves, and as creators and online business owners, we can’t afford to ignore its potential impact. In this episode, I’m diving into the latest updates on the TikTok ban, whether you will still be able to have the TikTok app if it gets banned, and what it could mean for creators and entrepreneurs who rely on the platform to grow their businesses. Whether you use TikTok to build your audience, sell your products, or connect with your community, this episode will help you understand what’s at stake—and what steps you can take to protect your business in a shifting social media landscape.In this episode, you’ll hear…The current status of the TikTok ban and how we got hereWhether you’ll still be able to use TikTok in the event of a banKey reasons behind the ban and who it targetsWho would be penalized for breaking the banWhy I think a TikTok ban shouldn’t impact your businessRESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Join my email listJoin the Free Legal Workshop to learn how to get your business legally protected today!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

Jan 7, 2025 • 37min
227. My Top 3 Proven Strategies to Grow Your Email List (From Someone With 45K Subs)+ HUGE BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT!
After becoming BFFs with Google, I learned all I could about email lists, freebies, and landing pages; my mind was overflowing! Now I’m eight years and almost 45,000 subscribers into my legal business, and I can confidently say that my email list is the foundation of my business’s success. I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned along the way to help you build your own email-driven success story (and I’m also very excited to fill you in on how you can get my new book when it drops this spring!).In this episode, you’ll hear…Why it’s vital to determine who your audience is and why they’re following youThe type of content you need to create to get more people on your email listHow to make sure your content gets seen by your future followersAnd how you can get your hands on my new book! 😊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” Annual Business Plan WorksheetCONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERMentioned 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

Dec 16, 2024 • 16min
226. Part 2: What You're Missing in Your 2025 Business Plan (I'll Fix It)
Welcome to a new approach to goal setting and personal growth. As we prepare to step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what might be missing from your current business plan and decide on what to implement if you're a new business owner. I’m sharing strategies for creating a plan that feels authentic and motivating. In this episode, you’ll hear…Insights into setting focused and achievable goals for 2025How to stay open to change and new ideas in your business journeyUnderstanding the value of KPIs in guiding your business decisionsCreating quarterly focuses that can keep you on trackClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Annual Business Plan WorksheetJoin the waitlist for my book “When I Start My Business I’ll Be Happy: A Practical, No BS Guide to to Successful Online Entrepreneurship” Sign up for my free weekly email “Sam’s Sidebar” Join the Free Legal Workshop to learn how to get your business legally protected today!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

Dec 9, 2024 • 25min
225. Part 1: The Online Business Year End Review That Could Transform Your 2025
Have you ever taken a moment to look back on where you’ve been and how far you’ve come? Lately, I’ve been doing just that, reflecting on my journey throughout 2024. It’s been a year filled with growth, unexpected challenges, and valuable lessons. I'll be sharing a few insights from my experience that might inspire your own reflections as you look ahead.In this episode, you’ll hear…Insights into balancing personal well-being with professional goalsHow personal experiences can impact business and lifeStrategies that led to revenue growth and a successful book dealThe importance of evolving business strategies with market and social media trendsAligning business goals with personal values for holistic successClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Annual Business Plan WorksheetJoin the waitlist for my book “When I Start My Business I’ll Be Happy: A Practical, No BS Guide to to Successful Online Entrepreneurship” Sign up for my free weekly email “Sam’s Sidebar” CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

Oct 28, 2024 • 1h 6min
BONUS: 5 Steps To Legally Protect Your Online Business Before 2024 Ends
In this episode, you get to hear my full live training, “5 Steps to Legally Protect Your Online Business Before 2024 Ends.” 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. 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 2024 To-do List: things to do before Dec 31st to make your biz legally soundRESOURCES:The Ultimate Bundle® is on sale through Nov 1, 2024. If you buy it before Oct 30, 2024, you’ll receive 3 bonus templates + my last live call of the year.Join the waitlist for my book “When I Start My Business I’ll Be Happy: A Practical, No BS Guide to to Successful Online Entrepreneurship” CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

Jul 29, 2024 • 18min
224. Why I'm Taking a Break [we'll be back!]
Knowing when to take a break is important. I am listening to my own advice and taking a break from the podcast. I need time and mental space to finish my book.In this episode, I explain my thought process. I also explain where listeners can find my educational resources while I am out. Check out the Resources links below to my YouTube, Substack, etc.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why I am taking time off from the podcast to finish my book and restThe power of zooming out to see the big picture when looking for clarityWhere listeners can find past episodes and other educational resourcesClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Join the waitlist for my book “When I Start My Business I’ll Be Happy: A Practical, No BS Guide to to Successful Online Entrepreneurship” Sign up for my free weekly email “Sam’s Sidebar” Search past podcast episodes at SamVanderWielen.com/podcastFollow me on SubstackCheck out my YouTube channelJoin the Free Legal Workshop to learn how to get your business legally protected today! CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERProduced by NOVA MediaMentioned 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

Jul 22, 2024 • 20min
223. ☀️ How a Rude DM Inspired Me to Do This [Summer Series]
The other day I received a comment on social media about how I did not look great in a video. In the past, I would have been reactive. Instead, I just laughed out loud.In today’s episode, I share my practice in becoming more confident and comfortable with myself and my online business.It has been a journey, and it is definitely still ongoing, but if this Philly-born, 90s era-raised girl can do it, so can you.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why perfectionism is the enemy of contentHow changing the stories you tell yourself can make you less reactive to negative commentsThe importance of practicing detachment from your businessClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Join the waitlist for my book “When I Start My Business I’ll Be Happy: A Practical, No BS Guide to 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! CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERProduced by NOVA MediaMentioned 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


