On Your Terms®

By Sam Vander WielenBusiness Entrepreneurship Marketing

On Your Terms® episodes

September 11, 2023153. How to Be an Innovator (Taco Bell, James Corden & Beating the Competition)
Today, we're diving into why innovation, not imitation, is the secret sauce to a lasting, competitive business. Many start their online ventures by mimicking others, assuming that the existing models are the gold standard. But entrepreneurship is about breaking out of that box. It's about pushing boundaries, introducing something new, or enhancing what's already out there. Your business shouldn't just plateau once you've launched something useful; it should constantly evolve and innovate. So let's explore this.
In this episode, you’ll hear…
Why most entrepreneurs start by imitating instead of innovating
How to spur innovation and find inspiration in your online business
Two case studies on how creators and entrepreneurs found success through innovation

If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot of it to me on Instagram via DMs!
Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
Episode 1. Community Over Competition is BS: Tips to Navigate Your Competition in a Healthier Way
Read Taco Bell’s Innovation Kitchen, the Front Line in the Stunt-Food Wars on The New Yorker
Pinch of Yum’s Crunchwrap Supreme recipe
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
45 min
September 07, 2023152. 5 Lessons I Learned From Nightmare Clients
You know me as a lawyer turned entrepreneur who's all about helping you legally safeguard your online business. But I'm also a business owner who faces the same ups and downs you do. In my seven years of running my own show, I've encountered plenty of highs, but also some lows—those dreaded nightmare scenarios that every entrepreneur dreads. Today, I'm sharing five lessons I've learned from those challenging situations. Welcome to the club.
In this episode, you’ll hear…
Taking lessons from every negative experience
Stopping the blame game
Planning instead of reacting
What you’re responsible for
Simplifying language for better understanding

If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot of it to me on Instagram via DMs!
Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
149. Navigating Grief with Therapist, Gina Moffa
151. How to Navigate + Prevent Burnout with Expert, Emily Ballesteros
My brilliant mindset coach, JenniferDiaz.com
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
25 min
September 04, 2023151. How to Navigate + Prevent Burnout [ft. Burnout Expert, Emily Ballesteros]
Dealing with burnout? Trust me, you're not alone. The online business world can be a fast track to exhaustion. Often, it draws in ambitious individuals—go-getters, perfectionists, and visionaries eager to make their mark. Combine the addictive nature of social media, the challenges of recent years, and the inherent complexities of entrepreneurship, and you have a recipe for burnout. Today, Emily Ballesteros and I discuss the red flags, prevention strategies, and crucial steps to ensure you don't reach that breaking point. Even if burnout isn't on your radar right now, this conversation is vital. After all, the objective is not to cope with burnout once it hits, but to avoid it entirely. Emily offers tangible tools to navigate and sidestep burnout.
In this episode, you’ll hear…
The definition of burnout and how to identify it in your life
The five pillars of burnout management and how they help
Emily’s process to publication
Emily’s answers to your questions
My three biggest takeaways from this conversation

If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot of it to me on Instagram via DMs!
Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
Find out how to work with Emily here
Pre-order The Cure for Burnout
Follow Emily on Instagram: @emilybruth
Follow Emily on TikTok: @emilybruth
Episode 56. Mindset, Limiting Beliefs & Visualization [with Guest: Jen Diaz]
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
1 hr 5 min
August 31, 2023150. Keep Your Head Down + Focus on Your Own Business
I want to chat about the importance of defining our path and not just following the herd, especially in the digital landscape. Just like seeing someone else break a rule in school won’t hold up when the teacher catches you, the same applies to online business and legal issues.
In this episode, you’ll hear…
Why basing your decisions on what others are doing online can lead to misguided choices and potential pitfalls.
The dangers of not legally forming your business and other shortcuts simply because others appear to be doing so.
How justifying your actions by pointing out others’ similar actions won’t save you from consequences—especially in the world of business.
The benefits of focusing solely on what's best for your business and brand, rather than getting lost in the noise of popular trends.
My experiences and challenges from the last several years and how keeping my head down helped

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
9 min
August 28, 2023149. Navigating Grief [ft. Therapist, Gina Moffa]
Losing someone close, or facing a significant personal loss, is an indescribably painful experience. And keeping a business afloat, creating content, and supporting a community while being immersed in grief is a challenge that’s hard to grasp until you’ve been through it.
Gina Moffa, an NYC-based psychotherapist with a rich history in trauma and grief work, including roles at Mount Sinai Hospital and aiding Holocaust survivors, has penned "Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go: A Modern Guide to Navigating Loss." This book broadens our perception of grief beyond just death, offering insights and tools for self-reflection on its multifaceted nature. And hang in there if you don’t think you’ve directly experienced grief because it will also help you understand the impact on other people and how you can help.
In this episode, you’ll hear…
Navigating running a business while going through grief
The physical manifestations of grief and the importance of self-care
How unexpected triggers of grief can catch us off guard
The therapeutic value of finding and participating in a grief-support community
The unique challenges posed by our constantly connected, always-on society

If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot of it to me on Instagram via DMs!
Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Gina Moffa: ginamoffa.com
Follow Gina on Instagram: @ginamoffalcsw
Read “Moving On Doesn’t Mean Letting Go”
Join the Moving On Doesn’t Mean Letting Go Facebook group to find a community that can help you move through grief
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
55 min
August 24, 2023148. This Mindset Shift is KEY to Growing Your Biz (A Quick Lesson from Ted Lasso)
Ah, Ted Lasso, the beloved show that marries the world of football – or soccer – with humor, heart, and hope. But who'd have thought this popular series could provide us salient lessons for business? Today, let's unravel a key takeaway from season three episode seven and understand its significance in the world of business.
In this episode, you’ll hear…
What this Ted Lasso moment can teach us about business
Focusing on the most important aspects of your business
Applying this new approach to your marketing

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
6 min
August 21, 2023147. What Trader Joe's Can Teach Us About Business [foot soldiers, decision fatigue + keeping it quirky]
Today, we’re diving deep into the world of Trader Joe’s. Whether you’re an ardent fan of their cookie butter or just an occasional shopper, there’s no denying that Trader Joe’s has made a mark in the grocery world. But beyond our personal shopping lists, what can we, as business owners, learn from them? This episode marks the beginning of a special series where I dissect the strategies of big corporations and tease out the lessons we can apply in our own businesses, regardless of their size. And, guess what? I’ve boiled down my findings to five major takeaways from Trader Joe’s. So, stick around till the end, and let's learn from the pros!
In this episode, you’ll hear…
Why online business owners should look at other successful businesses for inspiration
What Trader Joe’s does to stay competitive in their industry
My top 5 takeaways and how they apply to online business

If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot of it to me on Instagram via DMs!
Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
Why You Should Treat Your Clients the Way Olive Garden Does
Creating Brand Loyalists & Future Buyers
Goal Setting, Productivity & Evergreen Content (Guest Episode with Louise Henry)
We Need To Talk About Dupe Culture
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
31 min
August 17, 2023146. What My Failed Chocolate Cake Teaches Us About Business
Have you ever put too much pressure on yourself — whether in business, in life, or in the kitchen? We all have. In this episode, I share a real-life tale about baking a chocolate cake for a neighborhood gathering. You'll hear about how a seemingly disastrous baking incident turned into a delightful treat, with some insights into self-doubt and perfectionism along the way.
In this episode, you’ll hear…
My (ruined?) chocolate cake story
Pushing through self-doubt
The downside to expertise

If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot of it to me on Instagram via DMs!
Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
11 min
August 14, 2023145. What Starbucks, Dunkin', Costco & BJ's Can Teach Us About Dealing With Copycats
Ever wonder why Starbucks seems to be the trendsetter in the coffee world and how Dunkin' has rebranded itself to compete? In this episode, I dive into the world of coffee, exploring how giants like Starbucks and Dunkin' define trends and strategies, and what that teaches us about business differentiation and entrepreneurship at any size. I also draw parallels with Costco and BJs, and how they've adopted each other's successful strategies like adding gas stations and upping their organic game. Join me as I share my personal experiences, intriguing observations, and powerful lessons on how businesses can stand out, push something forward, and thrive in a competitive environment.
In this episode, you’ll hear…
What we can take away from the way large corporations impact trends
Some interesting stats about Starbucks, Dunkin’, Costco, and BJs
Why you shouldn’t worry about copycats and mimics

If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot of it to me on Instagram via DMs!
Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
Episode 140: We Need To Talk About Dupe Culture
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
30 min
August 10, 2023144. Should We Really Use AI in Our Businesses?
Are you curious about implementing AI, like chatbots and GPT-based systems, in your online business? Or maybe you're already using it? Well, it's not just about the latest technology; there's an intriguing legal dimension to consider. Along with marketing considerations, these are aspects that demand our attention. So buckle up, because we're diving into both the marketing and legal landscapes of incorporating AI into your online strategy.
In this episode, you’ll hear…
Some potential use cases for AI and ChatGPT
Where it’s important to keep a human touch
The possible legal issues in using AI-generated content

If you’d like a shoutout (and a chance to win a $20 gift card), just leave a review on Apple Podcasts and send a screenshot of it to me on Instagram via DMs!
Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.
RESOURCES:
Get notified when each episode of On Your Terms® comes out

CONNECT:
Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
Follow Sam on Instagram
Follow Sam on YouTube
Subscribe to Sam's Substack
Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER
25 min

About On Your Terms®

From the publisher's feed

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.