When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical, No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship

by Sam Vander Wielen

An invaluable and practical guide to nurturing and protecting your online business while honoring yourself and your wellbeing, from the force behind Sam Vander Wielen LLC and host of the On Your Terms podcast.

When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy does so much more than offer new entrepreneurs a way to establish the legal foundations of their businesses. Online entrepreneurship expert Sam Vander Wielen has developed a necessary resource for those who are new to doing business online, or who are ready to take their existing business to the next level. Vander Wielen presents practical, easy-to-implement business ideas and advice that covers all the ages and stages of entrepreneurship, such

·how to anticipate (or avoid) the common early entrepreneurship pitfalls
·how to juggle your personal life with your business
·how to find and build on your unique gifts
·how to keep your business growing without losing yourself in the process

Entrepreneurship can be deeply rewarding, but not at the cost of your own self-care and well-being. When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy teaches listeners that even when life doesn’t go smoothly as a business owner, you can still build and grow your own business—those bumps in the road will in fact make your business even stronger.

Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship

320 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

If you’ve always associated attorneys with words like “shark,” “intense,” and “cutthroat,” you’re in for a down-to-earth breath of legal fresh air. Sam Vander Wielen is a leading legal educator who’s helped over 150,000 online business owners set up their businesses legally. Sam’s legal templates and signature program, the Ultimate Bundle® generate well over $1 million per year, making her podcast, On Your Terms® a goldmine for not only legal knowledge, but marketing know-how that (actually) works.

Pre-order Sam’s upcoming book When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical, No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship now before its release on April 15, 2025. In it, Sam presents her evergreen marketing strategies that led to her 7-figure success, as well as guidance on balancing building your business with life’s curve balls.

Sam lives on Long Island in New York with her husband Ryan, bernedoodle Hudson, too many of her favorite mugs, and a towering stack of fiction.

Reviews

[Sarah Blakeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books you read and then donate to the local library or your community book-house. And there are books you keep in an easy-to-reach bookshelf, even after reading it. This book I will open and read many times!!

When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy: A Practical, No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship is jam-packed with wisdom! It helps give people working on an online business an inspiring guide. Through Sam's wealth of knowledge and experience, one can avoid snags, and if we were playing a Snakes and Ladders game, we would climb the ladder and make smart decisions based on Sam's success and critical thinking. Sam is grounded, relatable, wise, authentic, caring, and well-no-BS. She promotes a quality of life and reminds us that we are multidimensional beings. She tackles the mental and emotional aspects of being an entrepreneur as well as practical day-to-day business strategy and work. This book is for anyone trying to understand the online world in terms of business and cutting through the noise and misinformation. Oh, and she's funny, too, so the book is both entertaining and thought-provoking.  

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I’d had this book years ago when I first took my work virtual. It would’ve saved me so much time, energy, and literally thousands of dollars.

The information in this book is pure gold. Sam doesn’t just give you generic advice, she lays out a clear, step-by-step playbook that will not only help you build a successful business but one that’s built to last.

It’s refreshing to read a business book from a woman’s perspective, especially one that acknowledges the emotional and mental ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Sam strikes the perfect balance between practical strategy and personal insight.

Her personal story is heartfelt and inspiring. She shares how she was able to build a thriving business while navigating unimaginable loss. It left me feeling hopeful, more resilient, and deeply motivated to take action. I couldn’t recommend this book more. Every new (and seasoned!) entrepreneur needs this on their shelf.

[Dédalo Purificação · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some solid nuggets of wisdom in this book; however, it didn’t speak to me any more than a 5-minute YouTube video could, and when you’re reading 270+ pages, you can’t help but be a bit disappointed. I do think, for some people, having this book on hand would be useful, and I’d recommend it as one to buy and keep on the shelf. In reality though, there are thousands of short YouTube videos with most of what’s in this book. It would have been better if it had been marketed as a memoir on how the author made it—with some advice—rather than a guide to online entrepreneurship.

[Brittnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so hard to explain how “different” the entrepreneurial path is from other challenges that can be taken on. It’s also hard to describe how being wired to overthink and worry hits differently when you throw the switch to work for yourself.

One of the first voices of reason I found on IG was Sam, and I hauled ass over to Amazon when I saw her book was on pre-order, and practically falling over myself that she did a launch book club.

Finding support that comes from education without force, experience without condescension, and encouragement without toxic positivity is paramount for any business owner imho. Sam offers that in book-form.

I will treasure this book, refer to it over and never stop recommending it to anyone else who is on this crazy ride.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book for anybody starting or looking to grow their online business. Sam has lots of helpful tips, tricks, tools, and mindset hacks that I'll be referring to again and again. Highly recommend this book for anybody wanting to start or grow their online business.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful and interesting take on business from a female entrepreneur. A refreshing change of pace from all the “bros” pumping out books about conquering the business world.

This book focuses on what has become a female-centered business model of online entrepreneurship, and follows the author’s own experience building businesses online. It uses anecdotes, research, and personal experience to share some foundational principles for building and managing the sales and marketing of an online business.

Like many of these types of books, I felt like this one could have cut about 30% of the content and been much more enjoyable. There’s nothing really new here, but I did appreciate how it was presented in a conversational, human-centered style with examples of what has worked (or not) for the author. I was disappointed that it covers virtually nothing related to the author’s specialty (contracts, forms, and legal aspects of business). You’ll still need to pay her hundreds of dollars to access those resources on her website.

But it’s an easy read and will likely result in at least a dozen good takeaways for any online entrepreneur interested in sales and marketing strategies.

[Allyn Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a refreshing blend of humble storytelling and practical strategies. Sam shares sound advice to prepare and start up and grow an online business, sharing many of the gritty and uncomfortable realities that are lurking unspoken by everyone who would sell you their way to help you “make it.” Sam is funny, smart, real, and relatable in the way she shares her journey and the lessons she hopes will serve other brave entrepreneurs. I had several “well that explains it” moments without feeling like a loser or a failure. She cuts the BS and still offers compassion. What a helpful and hopeful business book I’ll be sharing with everyone I know who wants to step out and hang their digital shingle.

[Brian P. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read if you have an online business

Such a great book! It was full of tangible strategies and tips delivered in an easy to digest way. Lots of great examples and stories to go along with it. I highly recommend reading this book.

[Saida · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the midst of all the noise about starting an online business, I have found Sam’s voice to be the most helpful. As I finish the book, I have a good sense of where to start and how to proceed. Moreover, I feel psychologically prepared for the potential challenges of a new adventure. Can’t recommend enough!

[Kamyl Palma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly had no idea how to start writing my thoughts about this book, but one thing is for sure—it shows just how deeply I admired it. As I read, I felt like I was wearing different hats: a reader, a therapy client, a business mentee, and an entrepreneur.

All of this shows the multiple roles Sam explored in every chapter, written with specific and beautiful detail, making the book a true ‘Practical, No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship.’

This book means so much to me, and I’ll treasure the nuggets of advice, business tips, and strategies as I start my own journey. I didn’t just see Sam as an author and entrepreneur—I saw her as a friend. I witnessed her story, and along the way, I felt seen too.

Thank you so much for this book, Sam! Ultimate five stars (and more if I could!) for this gem.

[Paulina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a copy editor and have edited nearly 100 books, so I’m VERY critical. I find most business books to be full of platitudes and fluff. They make one or two interesting points and the rest is filler.

Sam’s book, however, is everything that a business book should be. She shares her journey, her vulnerability, her struggles, so you know that she’s a real person, not a marketing-bro robot. Then she walks you, step by step, through the process of building a business. She covers all the most important points: building your email list, choosing your offers, content creation, and so much more. Her writing is exceptional: clear, concise, but still entertaining.

I absolutely LOVE this book and am planning to gift it as a bonus to people who enroll in my program.

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sam's podcast and newsletter so I was happy to supper her by purchasing her new book. This would be great for anyone starting out as an entrepreneur as she gives so many tangible tips and ideas. She doesn't hold back. It's also a great mix of personal stories and business advice. I picked up a few ideas despite not being a newbie.

[Kendra (thevisionaryclassroom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the simplicity and practicality of the information shared in this book. Vander Wielen does a good job of making you feel like she’s sitting down chatting with you at the local coffee shop. I also liked that she was able to weave in her childhood experiences which ultimately helped to shape her as a business owner.

[Jamie Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam’s journey is incredible and what she’s achieved is so inspirational. I love how she broke down each step of running an online business and made some really overwhelming topics so straight forward and easy to follow and understand. I SO wish I had this book when I started my online business 6 years ago. It’s a game changer for anyone just staring out in their business OR anyone who is looking to grow, scale, or modify their current one. I highly recommend listening on Audible - it was great hearing Sam narrate it firsthand!

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Really enjoyed this book overall, a great starting point for anyone looking to start a business. In particular I really resonated with the message of "you can do it your own way" which refers to everyone having the "answer" but that doesn't mean they have the right answer for you!

[Emy Nkashama · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really only helpful if you have a product based business and if you haven't started your business yet.

[Phu Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this outstanding and inspiring book. The author shares raw and real personal experiences while also sharing understandable and helpful information regarding starting a business.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, deeply relatable, grounded, and genuinely helpful! Sam feels like a trusted friend guiding you through entrepreneurship. She shares not only wisdom, but also actionable steps you can actually use—whether you're just getting started or already running your business. I’m so grateful to have this book by my side and know I’ll keep returning to it for encouragement and a gentle kick of motivation as I grow.

[Natalie Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good advice about starting an online business, sprinkled through with the author’s own experiences and no-BS voice. There are definitely parts where it felt repetitive and a little long-winded, but ultimately this is a great resource for new entrepreneurs trying to get their business started!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Amanda Cover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone who is starting an online business or who already has one. Sam’s book is not your typical how-to business guide. Sam is very relatable, and reading her book feels like getting advice from a big sister or a best friend.

In her book, she explains strategies that can work for your business and offers advice on many of the challenges and insecurities we may face as online business owners, such as impostor syndrome.

When I feel stuck or overwhelmed in my business, I reflect on Sam’s advice and realize that the ups and downs of business are normal and that real success is not a flash in the pan.

If you're looking for genuine advice on long-term success, rather than a get-rich-quick scheme, I recommend this book to you or someone you know.

[Sarah DeGeorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I couldn't put this book down because I was becoming more inspired with each chapter.

When I Start My Business I'll Be Happy is a book that balances relatable and connective storytelling with actionable items for moving forward in creating your business. Many times, we connect our past to how we operate a business, or our past is what keeps us from starting to create an organized (and legally sound) business as well.

Sam is a remarkable individual, and I am so lucky to have this book to come back to when I need a little reminder to keep going in my business!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Vander Vielen dives into the world of digital entrepreneurship with enthusiasm and purpose.
A well-written book, which examines the ups and downs of the ever-changing digital landscape.
Sam shares several of her experiences and offers sage advice on how to navigate the digital platform as an online business.
Is there a sequel on the horizon?

[Emily&Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooomazing! Definitely takes the bs out of sales and starting your first or hopefully last business you will have successfully. No joke who else is tired of looking and finding no or vague answers. At the beginning she does talk about herself and how she got to where she is and then take notes too track your progress of where you are and where you want to be! Thank you so much Sam!

[Margaret C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight-forward and honest, if you're running a small business. Inspiring and filled with such great advice.

[Sarah Neely · Rating 5 out of 5]

This truly is "a practical, No- BS Guide to Sucessful Online Entrepreneurship"!!! I'm very grateful to have invested in this amazing business resource!