We recently connected with Sam Vander Wielen and have shared our conversation below.

Sam , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

After being a corporate lawyer for over 5 years, I decided to leave the law behind in 2016 to start my own online business. At first, I started a business helping busy professionals learn how to cook – but that business didn’t last more than a year! Not because it wasn’t going well, necessarily, but because it wasn’t the right fit for me. So in 2017, I followed what I saw as a hole in the market and started a digital legal products and education company. With it, I created downloadable legal contracts and training resources for entrepreneurs who wanted to start an online business. At the time, it felt super risky to do something that was so uncertain and unknown. I worried what my former colleagues, friends, and family would think about me and my pivot. But almost immediately after starting my legal templates business, it skyrocketed! The need for down-to-earth legal products and education was clear. And my multi 7-figure business was born.

Sam , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Sam! An attorney-turned-entrepreneur who helps online entrepreneurs like coaches, creatives, course creators and more, learn how to legally protect, set up, and scale their online businesses. Through my DIY legal templates, educational trainings, and sharing my top marketing strategies, I help them protect and grow their online business without the fear, fluff, or dingy lawyer’s office. My online legal template shop is a one-stop-shop for online business owners who need a quick contract, or who want to learn how to stay within their scope of practice online. With thousands of customers from all over the world, we focus on providing accessible, fun (yes, fun!), and cozy legal tips for anyone who wants to run their own business — without losing sleep at night.

Most people avoid getting legal in place because they think it’s going to be boring, expensive, and time consuming. What really sets us apart is how easy and stress-free we make legal. Being all scary-lawyer-ish isn’t in my personality, so that’s translated really well to customers who (understandably) feel a little freaked out about getting their ducks in a row.

Right now, I’m working on my very first book. It’s been a lifelong dream to get a Big 5 (publisher) book deal, which is exactly what I got back in May 2023. I’m almost finished with the first draft of my manuscript. I can’t wait until the book comes out for you all in early 2025.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Shortly after I started my business in 2017, I found out I had to have brain surgery. For months, I’d been having bad headaches, but then I started experiencing even scarier symptoms like slurring my speech, involuntary arm movements, and not being able to walk or stand straight. It turns out I had a chiari malformation in my brain. I had brain surgery for it just 1 month after I started my business. The physical recovery was so hard and required hours of therapy per day. I couldn’t walk or drive for quite a while. But I was so determined to keep building my then-new business! I’m very proud to say that I did keep my business not only alive, but thriving, through that experience.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2018, I was hit with another whopper of a life surprise when my Dad and best friend, Norm, was diagnosed with leukemia. Seemingly overnight, I became his caregiver, cancer coordinator, and supporter. Until then, I’d heavily relied on daily social media posts, lots of Instagram stories, and intensive 1:1 interaction with my customers and potential customers online. But when my Dad got sick, I knew I couldn’t afford to have a business that so heavily relied on me anymore. That’s when I pivoted and created my first webinar and funnel. I built it out from inside my Dad’s hospital rooms, waiting areas, and the hospital cafeteria. I launched my webinar about two months after my Dad’s diagnosis, and it quickly became the driver for most sales in my business (and continues to today).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/samvanderwielen
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/samvanderwielenllc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRvmhnGVaMbL7Jf3_MgfNiA
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/samvanderwielen/ https://www.samvanderwielen.com/podcast/ — my podcast

Image Credits
Some Shelly Photography