On Your Terms®

Q1 is officially in the books — so before you barrel headfirst into Q2, let's actually stop and take stock of how it went.In this episode, I'm walking you through the end-of-quarter check-in I use in my own business — one that covers both your stats and your vibes — so you can go into the next quarter with one clear focus, a simple plan, and a lot less "why does running this business feel so chaotic?" energy.We'll talk about how to look at your numbers without spiraling into a shame spiral, how to figure out whether you have a leads problem or a sales problem (because the answer totally changes your Q2 plan), and why the things that are draining you in your business are probably directly connected to what's not working in your data.I'm also sharing my personal Q1 gap year update — what's working, what's not, the mastermind I very painfully said no to, and the morning routine that finally helped me get my writing practice off the ground.In this episode, you'll hear…How to review your Q1 stats without spiraling into a shame spiral (the "curious scientist" approach is a game-changer)Why picking one single focus for Q2 will get you further than 16 half-finished goals ever willThe "vibes check" — how to honestly assess how this quarter felt and what that means for Q2Why what's draining you in your business might be directly connected to what's not working in your statsMy personal Q1 gap year update, including the mastermind I painfully said no to, the morning writing routine that finally clicked, and why "gap year" does NOT mean I'm sitting on a beach doing nothingClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSam's Substack post: Taking a Gap Year as an Entrepreneur: My Year of Letting Go in 2026Sam's Substack post: I called it a gap year—and everyone heard “year off.”Check out The Brick (affiliate link)Kit what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link)If you have a question you’d like Sam to answer on a future podcast episode, you can submit it here.Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come 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

Sam pulls back the curtain on her biggest launch ever — $500K in revenue in just four days. She's sharing the real numbers: 11,000 webinar registrants, a 5% conversion rate, and exactly what she spent on ads to get there. But this isn't just a brag fest — Sam gets honest about what's actually behind a launch like this, why you can't just copy someone else's formula, and what entrepreneurs at every stage can take away and apply to their own business.Whether you're planning your first launch or looking to scale, this episode is packed with practical strategy on webinars, email list marketing, buyer objections, and building an online business that actually converts.In this episode, you'll hear…The actual stats from my $500K launch — including webinar registrations, show-up rates, conversion percentages, and ad spend (yes, I'm sharing the numbers)Why I switched from three live webinars down to one — and how it actually increased my resultsThe "show up" email strategy I use to get more people to attend the webinar live (and why it works way better than a basic reminder)How I think about Meta ads as their own social channel — and when you should (and absolutely should not) start running adsThe three main buyer objections I prepare for in every launch — and how I use testimonials to overcome each oneClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGrab a copy of Sam's Book When I Start My Business, I'll Be HappyRead Sam's Substack post: I called it a gap year—and everyone heard “year off.”If you have a question you’d like Sam to answer on a future podcast episode, you can submit it here.Learn more about VideoAsk (affiliate link)Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come 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

Everyone's talking about Substack — and maybe you're curious, a little skeptical, and 100% wondering if you actually need to add another platform to your already-full plate. (Spoiler: you don't need to. But you might want to after this.)In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how I grew my Substack, Beyond Business, to 1,000 subscribers using only organic strategies — no importing my 60,000+ person email list, no fancy custom design, no team of people building it out for me. Just consistent writing, a growth mindset, and a few simple (but powerful) tactics I wish I'd known earlier.You’ll hear…Why I started a Substack when I already have an email list of 60,000+ people (and why it's absolutely not an either/or decision)The #1 mindset shift you need before you ever publish your first post Why becoming a fan of the platform first is one of the most underrated growth strategies out thereHow I built a consistent writing habit — and what happened to my creativity when I actually stuck with itThe "idea bank" strategy that keeps me showing up even when inspiration goes on vacationWhy you need to bank essays before you let the world respond to your writingHow to use Substack Notes to grow your audience without burning outThe referrals and recommendations strategy I used to accelerate growth (and exactly how to ask for them without being weird about it)Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessEpisode 271. Why I Started a Substack When I Already Have an Email ListEpisode 279. What to Focus on First If You Want to Build an AudienceSam's episode of Amelia Hruby's podcast, Off the Grid AI All Stars by Gemma Bonham-Carter (custom GPTs for your business) (affiliate link)Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come 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’re trying to grow your audience for your online business, you’ve probably heard advice like “build the audience first” or “you need followers before you can launch.” But what if that’s backwards?In this episode of On Your Terms®, Sam shares the real foundation of sustainable audience growth—and why focusing on followers, email list size, or social media metrics too early can actually slow you down. Instead, she breaks down how mastering your craft (whether that’s writing, podcasting, video, or your core service) is what truly builds an audience that sticks.You’ll hear…Why obsessing over audience size can distract you from building actual skillThe “wedding vs. marriage” analogy that changed how I think about growthWhat I realized after being in a mastermind with serious writersHow to practice your craft in public without spiraling over metricsHow to consume content in a way that fuels your output (instead of becoming a content junk drawer)A simple way to audit whether your time matches what you say you wantClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessGet Sam's Book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come 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 heard a quote at exactly the moment you needed it? Like it practically reached out and grabbed you by the shoulders?That happened to me recently when I heard this line from The Artist’s Way: "perfectionism isn’t a quest for the best… it’s a pursuit of the worst in ourselves.Oof. Holy cannoli. That one knocked me flat.In this episode, I’m sharing the simple exercise that helped me see my burnout in black and white—and how you can use it to finally exhale.You’ll hear…The quote about perfectionism that stopped me in my tracksThe unexpected way I realized I am a perfectionist (even though I swore I wasn’t)What I wrote on my “trying to do this perfectly” list—and why it shocked meHow this one list immediately softened my burnout and anxietyWhy doing “everything right” might actually be the thing holding you backClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come 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’re building a business, doing “all the right things,” and still feel exhausted even after a full night of sleep… this episode is for you.So many entrepreneurs think rest is something you earn later — after the launch, after the revenue goal, after things finally feel “stable.” And that belief keeps you stuck in a cycle of pushing, white-knuckling, and wondering why you’re burned out even though you technically love your work.I’m breaking down the 6 different types of rest, why sleep alone won’t fix burnout, and how I’ve been intentionally weaving more play, creativity, and relief into my life and business — without stepping away from work entirely.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why sleep isn’t the kind of rest most business owners actually needThe 6 types of rest and how burnout can show up even when you “love what you do”How pressure, grief, and mental load quietly drain your energyWhat it looks like to rest while building — not afterSimple ways to add more joy, play, and creativity into your everyday lifeClick 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"Taking a Gap Year as an Entrepreneur: My Year of Letting Go in 2026Subscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessLeslie Stephens' Substack American Psychological Association - Types of rest Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come 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 mid-February (or honestly… March… or April… or whenever you’re listening), and if your New Year’s goals already feel like they’ve floated off into the abyss — you’re not broken. You’re just human.In this episode, I’m breaking down why January 1st is kind of a terrible time to set goals, especially if you’ve been navigating grief, uncertainty, burnout, or just… life. I’m sharing how I actually set goals now using a monthly goals method that’s way more realistic, flexible, and supportive — and yes, you’re absolutely allowed to steal it.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why January 1st isn’t actually a clean slate (and never has been)How grief, uncertainty, and burnout affect goal-setting more than we admitThe monthly goals method I use instead of New Year’s resolutionsHow to set goals when you don’t feel clear or motivatedWays to bring “new year energy” into any month of the yearHow to stay present and profitable without rigid long-term plansClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Leslie Stephens' Substack NoteListen to EP 274. 4 Tiny Shifts I Make Every Winter (so I feel cozy, not crushed)Listen to EP 251. How To Leave Social Media without Losing Your ClientsClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come 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

In this episode, you get to hear my full live training, “How To Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026.” 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. 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 licenseRESOURCES:The Ultimate Bundle® is on sale through February 13th.CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

There’s this moment in business where you keep thinking, okay… when does it get easier? When does the stress chill out, the money feel steadier, and you finally get to enjoy what you’re building?Here’s the sneaky truth I wish someone had told me sooner: the “someday” version of your life isn’t where the joy starts. The rise is actually the fun part.In this episode, I’m sitting down with the version of myself from five years ago (hello, 2021 Sam) and sharing the six lessons I wish I could’ve handed her in a note. These aren’t fluffy business platitudes — they’re the real, lived-in truths that only come from building a seven-figure business, navigating massive personal loss, and realizing the mountaintop doesn’t feel the way everyone promises it willIn this episode, you’ll hear…Why the rise is actually the best part (even when it feels messy)The hard truth about the “carrot” always moving in businessHow chasing someone else’s version of success can quietly wreck your joyWhy you don’t need to be “one of them” to build a wildly successful businessHow to stay confident being a leader — especially when new platforms and trends pop upThe simple mindset shift that helped me finally loosen my grip on controlClick 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"Click 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: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 it gets dark before you’ve even wrapped up work for the day, winter can feel like it shrinks your whole life. Suddenly everything feels harder, heavier, and honestly… a little bleak. And while part of you might want to hibernate until April, another part of you knows that doesn’t really work when you’re running a business and trying to live a full life.In this episode, I’m sharing how I’ve learned to actually work with winter instead of fighting it. After moving from Philly to the north shore of Long Island (where winter is colder, darker, windier, and somehow five degrees colder just to be rude), I had to build a real winter toolkit — not just cozy socks, but mindset shifts, routines, and intentional rituals that make this season feel supportive instead of soul-crushing.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why your relationship with winter might be making it harder than it needs to beThe mindset shift that completely changed how I experience winterHow I intentionally design winter to feel cozy, grounding, and even enjoyableWhy winter is actually essential for creativity, energy, and long-term sustainabilitySimple routines and rituals that give you something to look forward to all season longClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarLearn about The Ultimate Bundle® on SaleGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come 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

Re-shooting all the videos for a product that’s generated over $8 million sounds like a straightforward business upgrade… until it isn’t.In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it was really like to re-record every single video inside the Ultimate Bundle®. Spoiler alert: this was about way more than lighting, scripts, or batch recording. It cracked open a lot for me — about grief, seasons of business, fear of slowing down, and the pressure we put on ourselves to constantly “improve” things that are already working.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a big project, nostalgic for earlier seasons of your business, or quietly scared of what might happen if you let yourself rest, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why re-shooting the Ultimate Bundle® felt more like reliving the bar exam than a simple content updateWhat building an MVP actually looks like over eight years of growthThe hidden cost of having a wildly successful signature productHow grief, loss, and survival mode quietly shaped my business from 2020 onWhy “easy” seasons of business can feel surprisingly uncomfortableWhat early-stage hustle teaches you that success sometimes takes awayHow I approached updating a proven product without burning it all downClick 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"Kit :what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link)Register for my free LIVE legal training “5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026”Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:CONNECT: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

We all know that moment. It’s Sunday. Your phone buzzes. And suddenly you’re staring down your weekly screen time report wondering… how did THAT happen?For me, those little reports started to feel like a mirror I didn’t really want to look into. The number on the screen didn’t line up with the life I said I wanted to be living—more present, less irritable, doing deeper work, and actually enjoying my days instead of scrolling through them.So I decided to stop ignoring it and actually take my screen time seriously. In this episode, I’m sharing what happened when I did just that—for 30 days.This isn’t about deleting every app or pretending your phone isn’t a major part of your business (because let’s be real… it is). It’s about creating a healthier relationship with your phone so it can be a tool instead of an appendage—and building a business that doesn’t require you to be glued to it 24/7.If you want to be more present in your life and more profitable in your business, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why your screen time report can reveal way more about your life than you thinkHow I reduced my screen time without shame, guilt, or extreme rulesThe difference between “productive” screen time and the kind that quietly drains youThe app that consistently sends me into a doom-scrolling spiral (and what I do about it)How to find your personal tipping point with screen time—without comparing yourself to anyone elseClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond Business Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come 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 been side-eyeing Substack trying to figure out whether you should start one, what you’d even put on it, or how it’s different from your “regular” newsletter… this episode is your permission slip to breathe. Because guess what? I’ve been figuring this out in real time too — and today, I’m breaking down exactly how I’m using both Substack and my newsletter, why I treat them differently, and how YOU can create a simple, sustainable content structure that actually supports your business.I’ll also walk you through the discovery → nurture → conversion framework I use to decide which platforms get my energy — and which ones simply get a presence without becoming a second job. Because you are absolutely not meant to create cornerstone content for 19 platforms. No thank you.Whether you’re Substack-curious, newsletter-confused, or trying to design a content flow that doesn’t make you want to run away to a cabin in the woods, this episode will give you clarity.In this episode, you’ll hear…How I’m using Substack differently from my weekly business newsletterWhy your content should flow from one or two core platforms (not all of them)The discovery–nurture–conversion method I use to understand where each platform fitsHow I’m thinking about Substack as an experiment (and why that’s OK!)What goes on Substack vs. what stays in my main newsletterHow to decide where YOUR content belongs without overthinking itClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond Business Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to Sam on Cubicle to CEO Episode 293. 46k List Growth Case Study: From Snooze-Worthy To Subscriber MagnetWriting a Book Podcast PlaylistKit - what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link)Click 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: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"DISCLAIMERDISCLAIMER

Let’s talk about the thing I didn’t even realize was happening until it had already messed with my head: AI was quietly killing my creativity.If you’ve ever opened your laptop, told yourself you’re “just getting a little AI help,” and then suddenly noticed your ideas feel watered down, your content feels off, and you’re second-guessing everything—you’re not alone. When I posted about this on Instagram, you confirmed that this little creep has been slipping into your business too… and not in the cute, helpful way we hoped.So today, I’m getting brutally honest about how AI slowly started impacting my creativity, confidence, workflow, and even the way I approached this podcast. This episode is your reminder that your most valuable business asset is your brain—your original ideas—not a robot’s outline telling you how you should create.In this episode, you’ll hear…How AI slowly crept into my creative process without me realizing itThe dangerous shift from “this helps” → “this must know better than me”How AI’s feedback made me doubt my instincts and dry up my idea wellThe moment I realized AI was contributing to a huge creativity blockWhat happened when I quit using AI for outlines, brainstorming, and feedbackThe difference between using AI as a repurposing tool vs. as a creatorThe creative habits and practices I’m returning to in 2026How to rebuild your originality in a world obsessed with shortcutsClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond Business Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"My Instagram Reel on quitting ChatGPTListen to Episode 140. We Need To Talk About Dupe CultureMeet Your AI All Stars Course (affiliate link)Grab the Ultimate Bundle®Click 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: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