Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 18, 2025

At Craft & Counsel, we believe privacy should be straightforward, not mysterious. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us. We're Angela and Vaughan – real people who respect your privacy because we value ours too.

The Short Version

We only collect information we actually need, we protect what we collect, and we never sell your personal data. Period. If you want the details (and legally, we have to provide them), keep reading.

Information We Collect

Information You Give Us Directly

When you reach out for consulting services, sign up for our SMS updates, or contact us through our website, you might share:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, business address

  • Business Details: Restaurant name, concept type, current challenges, goals

  • Communication Preferences: How and when you'd like to hear from us

Information We Collect Automatically

Like most websites, ours automatically collects some technical information:

  • Website Usage: Pages you visit, how long you stay, what you click on

  • Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address

  • Location Data: General geographic area (not your exact location)

We use standard tools like Google Analytics to understand how people use our site so we can make it better. Nothing creepy – just basic website analytics.

SMS and Text Messaging Data

When you opt into our SMS program, we collect and store:

  • Your mobile phone number

  • Delivery and engagement information (when messages are sent, delivered, opened)

  • Your opt-in preferences and consent records

  • Any responses you send to our text messages

Message Frequency: We typically send 1-4 text messages per month, though frequency may vary based on promotions or important industry updates.

Costs: Message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier plan.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Provide Our Services:

  • Respond to your inquiries about consulting services

  • Deliver the restaurant advice and support you're looking for

  • Send SMS updates and industry insights (if you've opted in)

  • Follow up on projects and maintain our professional relationship

Improve Our Business:

  • Understand what restaurant challenges are most common

  • Make our website more useful and user-friendly

  • Develop new services based on what our clients need

Legal and Administrative:

  • Comply with laws and regulations (like SMS compliance requirements)

  • Protect our business and your information from security threats

  • Maintain records for tax and business purposes

SMS Text Messaging Privacy

Your mobile number is treated with special care:

  • Consent Required: We only send texts to numbers that have explicitly opted in

  • Secure Storage: Your number is stored securely and never shared with third parties

  • Easy Opt-Out: You can stop receiving texts anytime by replying "STOP"

  • Limited Use: We only use your number for the SMS program you signed up for

We comply with all applicable laws including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and state privacy regulations.

How We Protect Your Information

Security Measures:

  • We use industry-standard encryption to protect data transmission

  • Our website uses SSL certificates (that's the little lock icon in your browser)

  • We limit access to personal information to only those who need it

  • We regularly update our security practices

What We Don't Do:

  • We don't sell your information to anyone, ever

  • We don't rent out our contact lists

  • We don't share your business details with competitors

  • We don't use your information for anything you haven't agreed to

Sharing Your Information

We might share your information in these limited situations:

Service Providers: We work with trusted companies that help us run our business (like our website host or SMS service provider). They're contractually required to protect your information and can only use it for the services they provide to us.

Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or government request, we may need to disclose information. We'd notify you when legally possible.

Business Transfers: If we ever sell Craft & Counsel (unlikely, but legally we have to mention it), your information would transfer to the new owners under the same privacy protections.

With Your Consent: We'll never share your information for marketing purposes without your explicit permission.

Your Rights and Choices

You have control over your information:

Access and Updates: Want to know what information we have about you? Just ask. Need to update something? We're happy to help.

SMS Preferences: You can opt out of text messages anytime by replying "STOP" or contacting us directly.

Website Tracking: You can adjust your browser settings to limit cookies and tracking, though some website features might not work as well.

Email Communications: You can unsubscribe from our emails using the link at the bottom of any message.

Data Deletion: Want us to delete your information? Contact us and we'll take care of it (though we might need to keep some records for legal or tax purposes).

Cookies and Website Tracking

Our website uses cookies – small files that help us remember your preferences and understand how you use our site. We use:

Essential Cookies: These make our website work properly (like remembering items in a contact form)

Analytics Cookies: These help us understand which pages are most useful so we can improve the site

Marketing Cookies: These help us show you relevant content and measure the effectiveness of our marketing efforts

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but some website features might not work if you disable them entirely.

Third-Party Services

We use some third-party services that have their own privacy policies:

  • Google Analytics: Helps us understand website usage

  • SMS Service Providers: Enable our text messaging program

  • Email Marketing Platforms: Manage our email communications

  • Website Hosting: Keeps our site running securely

We choose service providers carefully and ensure they meet our privacy standards.

Children's Privacy

Our services are designed for restaurant professionals and business owners. We don't knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we discover we've inadvertently collected such information, we'll delete it promptly.

State-Specific Privacy Rights

California Residents: You have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, delete your information, and opt out of any sale of personal information (though we don't sell information anyway).

Other State Rights: If you live in a state with specific privacy laws, those rights apply too. Contact us if you have questions about your state-specific privacy rights.

International Users

Our services focus primarily on U.S. restaurants, and our data is stored in the United States. If you're outside the U.S. and choose to use our services, your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We might update this policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we do:

  • We'll post the updated policy on our website

  • We'll update the "Effective Date" at the top

  • For significant changes, we'll notify you via email or SMS (if you've opted in)

  • You'll have a reasonable time to review changes before they take effect

Contact Us About Privacy

Questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your information? We're here to help:

Craft & Counsel
Email: info@craftandcounsel.com
Phone: (828) 222-3723
Address: 209 Warren Creek Rd., Candler, NC 28715

For privacy-specific questions, just mention "Privacy Policy" in your subject line and we'll prioritize your message.

Data Retention

We keep your information only as long as needed:

  • Active Client Information: Maintained while we're working together and for reasonable follow-up periods

  • SMS Opt-ins: Until you opt out or the number becomes inactive

  • Website Analytics: Typically 24-50 months, depending on the specific data

  • Legal Records: As required by applicable laws and regulations

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A Personal Note About Privacy:

Privacy isn't just a legal requirement for us – it's personal. We've built our reputation on trust, and that starts with respecting your information. We know restaurant operators deal with enough stress without worrying about what happens to their personal data.

We've structured our privacy practices around a simple principle: treat your information the way we'd want ours treated. That means being transparent about what we collect, careful about how we use it, and protective about who can access it.

If you ever have concerns about privacy – whether it's something specific about your information or just general questions about our practices – please reach out. We'd rather have a conversation than leave you wondering.

Your trust is everything to us.

Angela & Vaughan
Craft & Counsel

Last updated: June 18, 2025