What if you could build a thriving business without constantly chasing the algorithm?

In this episode, Holly sits down with entrepreneur, attorney, author, and founder of an $8 million business, Sam Vander Wielen, to pull back the curtain on the organic growth strategies that have fueled her success. From growing a newsletter of nearly 70,000 subscribers to creating evergreen systems that allow her to prioritize life before work, Sam shares exactly how she has built a sustainable business rooted in email marketing...not endless social media.

If you're ready to create predictable growth, write better emails, and build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

00:00:00 – Meet Sam Vander Wielen and the story behind her $8 million business.

00:01:45 – Leaving corporate law and giving yourself permission to pivot.

00:03:30 – How writing a traditionally published book changed her business.

00:06:25 – Building nearly 70,000 newsletter subscribers through organic marketing.

00:09:20 – The evolution of Sam's weekly newsletter over the past decade.

00:11:05 – The biggest drivers of email list growth and why consistency wins.

00:12:50 – Why Sam started using Substack and what she's experimenting with.

00:14:35 – Collaboration, podcast guesting, and strategic partnerships for growth.

00:16:55 – Content batching systems that protect time and energy.

00:18:40 – Living first, creating second: a healthier approach to content.

00:19:50 – Finding endless newsletter ideas through everyday life.

00:21:35 – Why writing is the most underrated business skill.

00:23:20 – Sam's honest thoughts on AI and authentic content creation.

00:24:30 – Rapid-fire business advice, favorite tools, and defining success.

00:26:50 – Where to connect with Sam and access her newsletter and resources.

CONNECT WITH SAM:

Watch Sam's free workshop '5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/legal-workshop/

Join Sam’s Email List: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/newsletter

Website: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/samvanderwielen/

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

🎯 Free Quiz: What's Standing Between You and Consistent Business Income? → hollymariehaynes.com/quiz

👉 Download the Anti-Social Shift Private Podcast → hollymariehaynes.com/shift

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat

Have you ever felt like you've done all the things-read the books, hired the coach, gone to therapy and yet somehow you still find yourself stuck in the same patterns?

In this powerful conversation, Holly sits down with neuro-somatic practitioner and Identity X expert Riana Malia to explore what happens when personal growth reaches a point where traditional mindset work isn't enough. Together, they unpack how subconscious programming, stored emotions, and outdated identities can quietly shape our decisions, relationships, and business success.

If you've ever wondered why you keep repeating the same cycles despite your best efforts, this episode offers a fresh perspective (and practical tools) to help you create lasting change.

Tune in to hear:

00:00:03 – Why doing more work isn't always the solution when you're feeling stuck

00:04:57 – Understanding the conscious mind vs. the subconscious mind and how old patterns continue to run the show

00:09:08 – The surprising signs that stored emotions and outdated identities may be holding you back

00:12:11 – The restaurant menu analogy: why clarity about what you actually want changes everything

00:16:04 – How negative thought patterns shape your reality and what neuroscience says about rewiring them

00:18:12 – Rihanna's simple 72-hour "Away vs. Toward" exercise for shifting your focus and state in real time

00:23:07 – The frequency metaphor: how changing your internal channel changes what you experience

00:26:11 – Why high-achieving women self-sabotage right before breakthroughs and how to stop the cycle

00:32:14 – The "mental pantry cleanout" exercise for releasing old stories and creating new momentum

00:37:09 – Books, Maui, rest, and the importance of creating space for yourself outside of work

00:41:04 – Where to connect with Riana and take the E.L.L.I.E. assessment for deeper self-discovery

CONNECT WITH RIANA:

Website: https://www.rianamalia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rianamalia/

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

🎯 Free Quiz: What's Standing Between You and Consistent Business Income? → hollymariehaynes.com/quiz

👉 Download the Anti-Social Shift Private Podcast → hollymariehaynes.com/shift

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat

Hey friends, welcome back. Today I'm sharing something a little different — and I think you're going to want to save this one.

This episode is pulled directly from The Anti-Social Shift — my brand new private podcast at hollymariehaynes.com/shift. It's a 9-episode series built around the exact framework I use to run a million-dollar business spending less than 30 minutes a week on social media. The first 5 episodes are the evergreen framework. The last 4 — including this one — drop fresh every quarter. Current playbook, not advice from two years ago.

I'm sharing it here because what we're talking about is too important to sit behind an opt-in.

Here's the question: when someone asks ChatGPT or Claude to recommend an expert in your space — are you showing up? Because your dream client is not scrolling Instagram to find you. She is asking AI.

In this episode I walk you through how we get 50 or more leads a month from AI search, what GEO actually is, and the one blog post that drives more recommendations than anything else we publish.

When you're done — go grab all 9 episodes at hollymariehaynes.com/shift.

Let's get into it.

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

🎯 Free Quiz: What's Standing Between You and Consistent Business Income? → hollymariehaynes.com/quiz

👉 Download the Anti-Social Shift Private Podcast → hollymariehaynes.com/shift

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat

What if the answer to more sales wasn't more content, more launches, or more hours at your desk?

In this episode, Holly sits down with marketing strategist and funnel expert Michelle Fernandez to unpack the small shifts that create massive momentum in your business. Michelle shares her signature "1% Conversion Effect" framework and explains why most entrepreneurs stay stuck. It's not because they aren't working hard enough, but because they're making decisions without visibility into what's actually happening inside their funnels.

If you've ever felt like you're doing all the things but still not seeing the results you want, this conversation will help you identify the right numbers to track, the systems that matter most, and the simple improvements that compound into significant growth over time.

You'll hear:

• 01:10 – What building a life-first business looks like today
• 02:05 – Creating boundaries when you work from home
• 04:00 – Practical strategies for truly stepping away from work
• 05:20 – Why entrepreneurs feel like they're doing everything but still not seeing results
• 06:20 – The dangers of running your business without data
• 08:15 – How systems create freedom and visibility in your business
• 09:15 – The five essential business systems every entrepreneur needs
• 11:30 – Where to look first when sales feel stuck
• 12:15 – Using webinar data to identify bottlenecks
• 14:00 – The metrics Michelle tracks most closely
• 15:10 – Why personalization matters more than ever
• 16:10 – Understanding the 1% Conversion Effect
• 18:45 – The most important KPIs to monitor
• 19:30 – Why fulfillment and course completion matter for growth
• 21:00 – Building trust in an AI-driven marketplace
• 22:20 – Customer experience examples that drive referrals
• 24:15 – Smart webinar automation strategies
• 25:10 – The email metric everyone should be tracking
• 26:00 – Letting go of the pressure to build a seven-figure business
• 27:00 – Where to connect with Michelle

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Website: https://themichellefernandez.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/@themichellefernandez

No Drama Launch Tracker: https://themichellefernandez.com/tracker

Podcast: Optimize To Monetize

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

🎯 Free Quiz: What's Standing Between You and Consistent Business Income? → hollymariehaynes.com/quiz

👉 Download the Anti-Social Shift Private Podcast → hollymariehaynes.com/shift

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat

What happens when a strategy that worked for years suddenly stops working?

In this behind-the-scenes episode, Holly shares the real story behind launching The Anti-Social Shift, a brand-new private podcast designed to help entrepreneurs build a business that grows without relying on social media 24/7.

In today's episode, I share:

• 02:08 – Building a business that works even when you're completely offline
• 03:50 – The truth about passive income and why evergreen strategies require active leadership
• 05:18 – The story behind Ditch the Social Drama and how it became the original Anti-Social School funnel
• 07:22 – How changing markets, AI, and consumer behavior revealed the need for a major update
• 09:15 – Lessons learned from rebuilding Anti-Social School and aligning the front end with the back end
• 13:58 – The surprising business data: where leads and sales actually come from
• 14:42 – The quarterly "Behind-the-Scenes Drop" and why ongoing updates matter
• 16:25 – How to know when your lead magnets, funnels, and evergreen content need a refresh
• 17:45 – Why successful entrepreneurs adapt faster instead of waiting for the perfect solution
• 18:45 – Treating your business like a living asset that requires regular maintenance
• 19:55 – Sprint seasons, audit seasons, and creating systems that compound over time
• 20:20 – The monthly marketing audit process Holly uses to improve funnels, SEO, and conversions
• 21:45 – Final takeaways: evergreen content evolves, offers should grow with your audience, and passive income starts with intentional systems

Grab the private podcast: hollymariehaynes.com/shift

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

🎯 Free Quiz: What's Standing Between You and Consistent Business Income? → hollymariehaynes.com/quiz

👉 Download the Private Podcast: The Anti-Social Shift → hollymariehaynes.com/shift

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → HollymariehaynesContact

If you’ve ever looked at your funnel and thought, “Maybe I just need a new offer,” this episode might completely change the way you approach your marketing strategy.

In this conversation, I’m joined by certified funnel strategist and copywriter Jenn Green to unpack the funnel metrics every female entrepreneur should actually be tracking before rebuilding their entire business from scratch.

Jenn shares how becoming a mom completely transformed the way she approached entrepreneurship, why small funnel tweaks often outperform massive overhauls, and the truth about passive income that most people aren’t talking about online.

We dive into email marketing, sustainable systems, funnel optimization, anti-hustle business growth, and how to create predictable revenue without constantly reinventing your offers, launches, or content strategy.

If you’re tired of rewriting your emails every quarter, second-guessing your funnel every time sales dip, or feeling like business growth always has to feel chaotic… this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.

Today you'll hear:

• 03:40 – Meet Jenn Green and the surprising career path that led her from professional acting to entrepreneurship
• 05:21 – How motherhood completely changed Jenn’s definition of success, freedom, and business ownership
• 07:03 – Why building a life-first business creates more sustainability and flexibility for women entrepreneurs
• 09:12 – The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when sales slow down inside their funnel
• 11:04 – The funnel metrics every business owner should be reviewing monthly before making major changes
• 13:18 – Why small funnel tweaks often outperform full funnel overhauls
• 15:07 – The email marketing metrics that can help you improve conversions without rewriting everything
• 17:26 – What low open rates and low click-through rates are actually telling you about your audience
• 19:11 – The difference between optimization and constantly reinventing your business strategy
• 21:06 – Why sustainable business growth requires consistency more than constant creativity
• 23:15 – The truth about passive income and what scalable funnels actually require behind the scenes
• 25:42 – How entrepreneurs can build predictable revenue with simpler systems and better messaging
• 27:33 – Why anti-hustle marketing strategies are becoming more important for female entrepreneurs
• 29:08 – How to stop making emotional decisions every time sales fluctuate
• 31:17 – The role data and tracking play in building a calmer, more sustainable business
• 33:04 – Final advice for entrepreneurs who want to grow without burnout or constant reinvention

CONNECT WITH JENN:

Website: www.thejenngreen.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jenngreenmarketing

FREE Resource: How to get your next 100 subscribers masterclass: www.thejenngreen.com/holly

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

🎯 Free Quiz: What's Standing Between You and Consistent Business Income? → hollymariehaynes.com/quiz

👉 Download the Full-Time Business on Part-Time Hours Podcast Bundle → hollymariehaynes.com/fulltimeparttime

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat

If you’ve ever felt pressure to be louder, more visible, or constantly “on” to grow your business, this episode will completely shift the way you think about leadership, confidence, and success.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Heather Dixon Adams, founder and CEO of Choice Media & Communications, to talk about what it really means to build influence with intention, lead with confidence, and create a business that supports your actual life—not just your goals on paper.

Heather shares the powerful story of how getting laid off became the catalyst for designing a life-first business, the mindset shifts that helped her grow an all-female agency, and why balance isn’t the goal—alignment is.

We dive into boundaries, comparison, confidence in male-dominated spaces, sustainable leadership, and how to quiet the noise long enough to hear your own voice again. This conversation is honest, grounded, and full of wisdom for women entrepreneurs who want to grow without losing themselves in the process.

Today you'll hear:

• 02:58 – Meet Heather Dixon Adams and the powerful career journey that led her to build a life-first business
• 05:34 – The conversation with Heather’s husband that completely changed how she approached success and career growth
• 07:12 – Why building your life first—and your business second—creates more sustainable success
• 09:03 – The myth of balance and what women entrepreneurs should focus on instead
• 11:18 – What it looks like to lead an all-female team with intention, flexibility, and trust
• 13:42 – How Heather learned to own her voice and confidence in male-dominated rooms
• 16:05 – Why comparison gets louder when entrepreneurs disconnect from their own values and vision
• 18:21 – The role boundaries play in sustainable leadership and long-term business growth
• 21:14 – How confidence is built through experience, not perfection
• 23:48 – Why women entrepreneurs need to stop waiting for permission to take up space
• 26:33 – The connection between intentional leadership and creating a business that supports your real life
• 29:11 – What Heather has learned about success after more than 30 years in business
• 32:08 – How to quiet external noise and reconnect with your own intuition as a leader
• 35:17 – Final advice for women entrepreneurs who want to grow confidently without burnout

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

Website: https://choicemediacommunications.com/

Instagram: @heatherdixonadams and @choicemediacommunications

FREE Resource: A free 30-minute brand strategy consult with a member of the Choice team

https://calendly.com/deidra-choicemediacommunications/30min

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

🎯 Free Quiz: What's Standing Between You and Consistent Business Income? → hollymariehaynes.com/quiz

👉 Apply to the Co-Op → www.hollymariehaynes.com/coop

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat

In this week's pep talk, I am sharing the simple three-layer website strategy we’re using to organically add 20+ new email subscribers every single week without relying on ads, social media, or constantly creating new content. We’re talking about sustainable audience growth, smarter website conversions, and how to turn your existing traffic into real leads that actually want to hear from you.

In today's episode, I share:

• 02:58 – The behind-the-scenes website strategy currently bringing in 20+ organic email subscribers every single week
• 04:03 – Why these subscribers convert differently than people coming from social media or paid ads
• 05:01 – The real reason small weekly subscriber growth compounds faster than most entrepreneurs realize
• 05:45 – Who this strategy works best for and why website traffic matters more than follower count
• 06:23 – The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when people visit their website but never join their email list
• 07:41 – How pop-ups have evolved since the early blogging days and why they still work when used strategically
• 09:12 – The first layer of the system: rotating podcast pre-rolls that direct listeners to specific lead magnets
• 11:08 – The second layer: smart website pop-ups that capture attention without feeling intrusive or spammy
• 13:26 – The third layer: blog-specific pop-ups tailored to exactly what someone is already searching for
• 15:44 – Why sustainable business growth comes from optimizing what you already have instead of constantly creating more content

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:

🎯 Free Quiz: What's Standing Between You and Consistent Business Income? → hollymariehaynes.com/quiz

👉 Apply to the Co-Op → www.hollymariehaynes.com/coop

🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com

📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes

🗨️ Chat with Holly → https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/chat