Why do we overcomplicate everything?

After the ink dried on my book deal contract, I sat around waiting for trumpets to blare as someone arrived carrying an official document on a red-velvet pillow.

I thought writing my book was going to be more like some official kick-off party, when in reality...

I just had to start a Google doc.

I've been thinking about this whole "making things a lot harder than they need to be" thing lately.

I've been on a bit of an unintentional podcast interview tour and hosted book club for my book.

When people talk to me about my business, my 6-figure monthly funnel, or my 4-day $500k launches, I can always tell there's a hint of something right beneath the surface of what they're actually asking me:

Can it really be that easy?
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The truth is somewhere in between.

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I work (and have worked for 10 years) really hard to build the business you see today.

I definitely downplay how much I work (unintentionally), but I also forget how much I can get done in a short amount of time. My friend Jen always tells me that my downtime is everyone else's full-time.

And...

My business is very (intentionally) simple.

I don't have a gigantic team (1 full-time employee, 1-hourly employee, 1 part-time contractor. All amazing.)

I don't have a business coach (but I do have an incredible mindset coach).

I didn't take anyone's course to rocket my way to success.

The full story (which I detail in my book) is way more complicated than what I can explain here...

But here's the point I want you to take away today:

Stop trying to look for the complication in something that can be simple if you let it be.

I'd argue most people's businesses don't succeed or feel as "easy" as mine because they make it that way.

They go out searching for the complication instead of just letting things be simple.

Building a business is a test of temptation: are you going to keep your eyes on your own paper, or are you going to let them wander on the off chance you get something a little extra?

And that, Reader, is what I think is truly the "key" to my success:

I'm known for one thing. I'm the legal person. The one creators and coaches go to when they need to get their legal ish in order.

I'm not a NYT best selling author (yet!). I don't have the biggest social following.

But because my business is so simple, it's easy for people to think of me when it's time to buy.

Honestly, we need to have a bigger chat about this--

Which is why I recorded this podcast episode today all about why no one thinks of you when it comes time to buy (so we can change that, STAT.)

You have to become known for your one thing.

To do that, you've got to stop making things complicated and take the simpler, less chaotic route.

​This episode helps you do just that→​

💬 Hit "reply" and let me know how this email resonated with you today. I read & reply every time.

Don't you even dare exit this email without scrolling down to see which huge podcast I was just on (!!!) and a big Taylor Swift trademark update you've got to know.

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🔗 Links You'll Love

🧪 Listen to my interview on the Creator Science Podcast with Jay Clouse where we broke down my biggest launch ever | Sam Vander Wielen’s Beautifully Elegant Business: $8M+ From One Product. No Pivots. No New Offers. No Down Years.→ 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, Website​

👩🏻‍⚖️ Online Legal Updates

🎶 You've probably heard about it by now: creators are getting AI-cloned and used in content/ads without their consent. No bueno.

But have no fear! Taylor Swift is here to save the day...

Taylor's pushing us into a new-era of AI lawsuits with her recent trademark filing to protect her voice and literal image.

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Although sounds like Netflix's "ta-dummm" are currently protected under "sound marks" (a type of trademark not often utilized), a celebrity's spoken voice has not been tested or filed before (besides Matthew McConaughey also filed to protect his).

Taylor's music/lyrics are protected by copyright law, but it doesn't protect her actual voice saying/singing things that aren't in her songs. So if someone nabs her voice from a clip and uses it to create "new" content saying something she's never said before... technically speaking that's "OK" under current laws.

Although she's only filed to protect "Hey, it's Taylor," and "Hey, it's Taylor Swift," the idea is that she could go after anyone who uses her voice under trademark law's "confusingly similar" standard. (👀 Here's her application, in case you want to see it!)

This is very new and developing -- so I'll keep you all posted!

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