Sam Vander Wielen
Sam’s Sidebar is the must-read weekly newsletter that translates “7-figure strategies” into simple next steps for people who’d be happy with a steady income and weekends off. “Possibly the best emails I’ve ever read from someone I’ve not met IRL.” - Phil, Sidebar subscriber. EVERY TUESDAY ⤵️
How to add 1,000 subs to your email list
🌶️ A Spicy (NEW) Deal A couple months ago, my ops manager Lindsey and I sat on Zoom for HOURSSS for one reason: I wanted to do something *BRAND NEW* for you this Black Friday. Here’s a sneak peek: you’re going to love this 👀 And what we came up with…It’s got us more pumped than a sugar fiend in an aisle of half-off Halloween candy. It’s a greeeaaat deal. And it’s not what you think. Oh, BTW...if you’ve been wanting to buy something from me but haven’t had a chance to yet, speak up! Hit...
What actually fueled my $300k week
Weekly Habits That Help Me Grow My $8mil+ Business My friend! Thanks for hanging in there during my recent promo. I had a blast these past few weeks -- and not just because I had another $300k+ 4-day launch (my second in 8 months!). I had fun because: A. I love what I do, and B. of what I did offline last week, not on it. I went for walks with Huddy (my bernedoodle) through the park, cooked chili the moment temps dipped below 60 degrees, and went to a fundraiser tasting pistachio chocolate...
I almost pulled this episode (but published anyway)
Perfect Would've Killed This I just cranked out a quick 12.5 miles on my Peloton. I nearly tripped over my bike shoes running to my MacBook to tell you something that might save 6-figures in wasted courses & coaches... JUST START. That's how you'll learn. Yep, that's my groundbreaking advice. Obvious? Yep. Something you do? Errrrm... Here's what you need to know: As a business owner, or someone who wants to start one, you're going to get hit left and right with messages about the 'right' way,...
My wake-up call about online safety
🌶️ A Spicy Opportunity Want to reach 50k online business owners at once? I’m opening up a handful of (paid) sponsorship / ad slots in Sam’s Sidebar. If you’ve got a product, service, or resource that helps entrepreneurs grow, simplify, or protect their businesses, this could be a great fit. Hit 'reply' if you’re curious, and I’ll share pricing & details! [only a few spots left for 2025!] The Dark Side of Sharing Online When I bought a house on Long Island four years ago, it came with its own...
putting this off?
🌶️ A Spicy Opportunity Want to reach 50k online business owners at once? I’m opening up a handful of (paid) sponsorship / ad slots in Sam’s Sidebar. If you’ve got a product, service, or resource that helps entrepreneurs grow, simplify, or protect their businesses, this could be a great fit. Hit 'reply' if you’re curious, and I’ll share pricing & details! [only a few spots left for 2025!] Sometimes You Just Need to Start A few days after I signed my Big 5 book deal, I sat staring at my...
Your ultimate fall (digital) cleanup
Ready for a Fall (digital) Clean-up? ✏️ It feels like no matter how old you are, or how long you've been out of school, the entire world runs on a school schedule. I'm not mad about it. I still routinely call weeknights 'school nights' and operate on a Monday to Friday schedule, despite the fact that I've built a business where I can do whatever, whenever. Maybe it's because my husband, Ryan, is a university professor. Our house is filled with language about when classes start, grading...
the most awkward email I had to write
🌶️ A Spicy Deal Not sure what to do when a client owes you money? Scoop up my Late Payment Email Template that shows you what to say, when and what not to do to accidentally waive your rights. Get paid and avoid legal hot water? Yes and yes. Download my $7 Late Payment Email Template → not the email I planned to write The funny thing is, today I had planned to write to you about doing a digital fall cleanup. 🍂 [cue the falling leaves, a pumpkin spice latte warming up my hands, and bringing my...
Want to see my email list?
Remember me?! So apparently there was some weird tech snafu, and you got stuck in what could only be described as email list purgatory. If you haven't heard from me for a bit, that's why. In case you don't remember, I'm Sam Vander Wielen, an attorney-turned-entrepreneur who helps you keep your business out of legal trouble and learn how to build a profitable business that doesn't require 24/7 content creation. If you wouldn't mind, would you hit "reply" and say "got it!" so I know this went...
Your First Pancake (needs to be made)
Your First Pancake (needs to be made) 🥞 "Don't worry, you aren't missing anything. I don't even know how to run a book club... I'm treating it like the first pancake," the bookstore owner told me when I asked about joining her new book club. Book club got so full (2x capacity!) she had to close it. Her bookstore hasn't even been open for 1 month. 🤯 As I walked away, I couldn't help but laugh at how much I could use a dollop of her "first pancake" -- the idea that your first attempt isn't...
You're tired of fighting for your content to be seen
But Can You Build a Business Without Social Media? You have days where you want to throw your phone in the ocean (but of course you wouldn't because, littering. ♻️) In your dream scenario, you delete your go-to social media app, pop your favorite *NSYNC CD into your walkman, and live out your 90s-kid summer: smashing bricks on Mario Bros, catching Carson on TRL, riding your bike to your friends house to see if they could play, and eating so much cherry water ice it looks like you got a...
Sam’s Sidebar is the must-read weekly newsletter that translates “7-figure strategies” into simple next steps for people who’d be happy with a steady income and weekends off. “Possibly the best emails I’ve ever read from someone I’ve not met IRL.” - Phil, Sidebar subscriber. EVERY TUESDAY ⤵️