There are three brilliant humans I consider “business secret weapons”, whom I turn to when I’m creating something new, pivoting a program, or reevaluating how things are working. Each person comes from a totally different business space than my own, which is what makes their advice so good. I get intel from outside my bubble.

One of those amazing people is Sam Vander Wielen. I first met her across my Zoom screen–an introduction from a mutual friend. She had been running a successful 7-figure business helping online business owners strengthen their business, build it in a legally sound way (she’s a lawyer!) and grow sustainably. She was ready to write a book to support people in an even bigger way. 

We became fast friends because, much like me–she’s transparent, she loves to support people, and she’s very no-nonsense.

Now, there’s a lot that’s bright and shiny stuff out there on the internet around business growth (you’ll hear about Sam’s term for this on the pod)–but there’s not much out there that teaches you what really matters: how to build the foundation. And that’s where Sam comes in.

Whether you’re thinking of starting your business or you’re a few years in–her new book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A No B.S. Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship (Hachette) is an incredibly valuable resource.

This week on Bound + Determined, we dig into what business owners may be missing, what’s working right now, and how to really build a business that sustains you through life’s hardest moments.

While writing her book and continuing to run her business, Sam tragically lost both of her parents back to back. In fact, she was offered her book deal the day her Mom passed.

We talk about running a business through grief, and how she managed to reach this finish line of Pub Day. Oh, and did I mention she also recovered from a brain tumor in the early days of her business?  She knows a thing or two about the rollercoaster of life.

I’m grateful to call her a friend and am so happy she’s someone I have on speed dial for all my business brainstorms. Trust me–you want this book, and I hope you’ll give this episode a listen!