Privacy Policy | Rocking Chair Collective

Rocking Chair Collective, operated by Shela Studio ("Rocking Chair Collective," "we," "us," or "our"), respects your privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains how information may be collected, used, shared, stored, and protected when you visit or interact with the Rocking Chair Collective website, submit a business or creator application, complete an interview or other form, contact us, subscribe to communications, participate in a business listing, editorial feature, creator partnership, or otherwise use our website and services.

By using the website or voluntarily providing information to Rocking Chair Collective, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Information You Provide to Us

We may collect information you voluntarily provide when interacting with Rocking Chair Collective.

Depending on your relationship with us, this may include:

Your name or public-facing name.
Business or brand name.
Email address.
Business or creator website.
Social media handles and links.
Business location, such as city, state, province, region, or country.
Shipping regions or service areas.
Information about whether a business serves customers locally, nationally, internationally, or online.
Information about your business, products, or services.
Business descriptions and founder stories.
Creator biography, niche, content focus, or collaboration interests.
Creator follower or audience information voluntarily submitted through an application.
Answers submitted through a business application, creator application, founder interview, questionnaire, onboarding form, or other form.
Photographs, profile images, logos, product images, graphics, or other materials you choose to submit.
Information included in messages or inquiries sent through our website, email, or social media.
Newsletter or marketing-email preferences.
Limited payment or transaction information provided to us by a payment processor.
Verification information we reasonably request when necessary.
Other information you voluntarily provide.

Please do not submit sensitive personal information that we have not requested or that is not reasonably necessary for your interaction with Rocking Chair Collective.

Rocking Chair Collective does not ordinarily require applicants to submit Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, passport numbers, financial account credentials, or similar sensitive identifiers as part of a standard application.

If additional verification is reasonably necessary in a particular situation, we will generally request only the information needed for that purpose.

Business Applications

When you submit a business application or related form, we may use the information you provide to:

Review the business for eligibility.
Understand what the business offers.
Determine where the business is based and where it ships or provides services.
Verify information when reasonably necessary.
Communicate with you about your application.
Request additional information.
Determine whether the business is appropriate for Rocking Chair Collective.
Communicate with you about an applicable listing or editorial opportunity.
Send application confirmations, decisions, approval communications, next-step instructions, payment-related communications, interview requests, publication notices, and other service-related messages.
Create, publish, maintain, and promote an approved listing or editorial feature.
Administer complimentary, promotional, launch-period, or personally invited opportunities.
Maintain appropriate application and business records.

Rocking Chair Collective may also provide application, intake, or interview forms directly to businesses that have been personally invited or pre-selected.

Submitting a business application does not automatically enroll an applicant in optional marketing emails or the Rocking Chair Collective newsletter.

Where an application includes an optional newsletter or marketing checkbox, choosing to subscribe is separate from applying to or participating in Rocking Chair Collective.

Meet the Mothers Interviews

Businesses participating in a Meet the Mothers editorial feature may be asked to complete an additional founder or owner interview.

Information submitted through this interview may include personal experiences, business history, founder perspectives, photographs, and other information intended to help Rocking Chair Collective prepare the editorial feature.

Rocking Chair Collective may use this information to:

Prepare the Meet the Mothers editorial story.
Communicate with the participant regarding the feature.
Edit and organize submitted information for publication.
Publish approved information on the website.
Promote the published feature through Rocking Chair Collective channels.
Maintain an editorial archive.

Participants should avoid providing information they do not want considered for publication unless the form or communication clearly identifies the information as private or administrative.

Creator Applications and Rocking Chair Circle

Rocking Chair Collective may accept applications from motherhood content creators interested in participating in Rocking Chair Circle creator partnerships.

Information submitted through a creator application may include:

Name or public-facing name.
Email address.
Social media handle.
Social media platform.
Profile photograph.
Creator niche or content focus.
Biography or description.
Website or social links.
Follower or audience information.
Collaboration interests.
Reasons for applying.
Other information voluntarily submitted by the creator.

We may use creator application information to:

Review creator eligibility.
Evaluate alignment with Rocking Chair Collective.
Communicate application decisions and onboarding information.
Create and maintain an approved public creator profile.
Help visitors or businesses discover approved creators.
Consider creators for possible features, introductions, referrals, or collaboration opportunities.
Communicate about the creator's participation.
Maintain appropriate creator-program records.

Rocking Chair Circle participation does not automatically enroll a creator in optional marketing communications.

Information Intended for Public Business Listings

Businesses approved or selected for publication may provide information specifically intended to appear publicly on Rocking Chair Collective.

Depending on the listing or feature, publicly displayed information may include:

Business name.
Founder or owner name.
General business location.
Business category.
Shipping regions.
Service areas.
Whether the business ships or serves customers internationally.
Business description.
Founder story.
Website.
Social media links.
Photographs.
Logo.
Product or service information.
Interview responses or excerpts.
Other materials submitted or approved for public display.

Information intended for a public business listing or editorial feature should be considered public once published.

We will not intentionally publish information from an application that we reasonably understand to be private administrative information unless it is appropriate and necessary for the applicable feature or the participant has authorized its publication.

Business owners should avoid submitting private personal information for publication that they do not want publicly displayed.

Information Intended for Public Creator Profiles

Approved creator partners may provide information intended for public display through a Rocking Chair Circle creator profile.

Public information may include:

Creator name or public-facing name.
Profile photograph.
Social media handle.
Creator niche or content focus.
Biography or creator description.
Social media and website links.
Collaboration interests.
Other information the creator submits or approves for public display.

Information intended for a public creator profile should be considered public once published.

Private administrative information, such as an applicant's private email address, will not ordinarily be displayed publicly unless the creator specifically requests or authorizes its publication.

Business Location, Shipping and Service Information

Rocking Chair Collective may collect and display geographic information to help visitors understand where a business is located and whether its products or services are available to them.

This may include:

Country.
State, province, or region.
City or general business area.
Countries or regions to which a business ships.
Areas in which a service provider works with clients.
Whether the business provides online or international services.

We generally do not require a private residential street address for public display.

Businesses are responsible for providing accurate location, shipping, and service-area information and for notifying Rocking Chair Collective of material changes when appropriate.

Verification Information

Rocking Chair Collective may occasionally request additional information when reasonably necessary to verify:

Business ownership.
A person's authority to represent a business.
Whether a business is actively operating.
Creator identity or ownership of a social media account.
Business location.
Licenses, registrations, permits, or professional credentials when relevant.
Rights or permissions relating to photographs, logos, trademarks, graphics, or other submitted materials.
Other information reasonably related to eligibility or platform integrity.

We do not ordinarily require sensitive identifiers such as tax identification numbers as part of the standard application process.

If verification information is requested, we aim to limit the request to information reasonably necessary for the specific purpose.

Verification information is generally used for administrative purposes and is not intended for public display unless separately authorized or otherwise required.

Email and Newsletter Communications

You may have the option to voluntarily subscribe to Rocking Chair Collective emails or newsletters.

We may use the email address you provide to send communications you requested, which may include:

Rocking Chair Collective news.
Resources.
Business or creator features.
Opportunities.
Announcements.
Community updates.
Other promotional or informational communications.

You may unsubscribe from optional marketing emails using the unsubscribe option provided in those communications or by contacting us.

Transactional and service-related communications are separate from optional marketing communications.

These may include:

Application confirmations.
Application decisions.
Approval and onboarding instructions.
Payment communications.
Payment confirmations.
Interview requests.
Requests for additional information.
Publication notices.
Listing or creator-profile updates.
Renewal communications.
Policy or service notices.
Other messages relating to an ongoing application, listing, feature, creator partnership, transaction, or business relationship.

Because these communications relate to a service, application, purchase, or ongoing participation, they may be sent regardless of whether the recipient subscribes to optional marketing emails.

Contact Forms and Communications

If you contact Rocking Chair Collective through a website form, email, social media message, or another communication method, we may collect:

Your name.
Email address or account information.
The contents of your message.
Attachments or materials you provide.
Other information you voluntarily include.

We may use this information to respond to your inquiry, provide requested assistance, maintain appropriate records, and communicate with you regarding the reason you contacted us.

Payments and Paid Services

Rocking Chair Collective currently uses third-party payment processing. Payment information such as complete credit or debit card numbers is generally collected and processed directly by the payment processor rather than stored directly by Rocking Chair Collective.

We may receive limited transaction information such as:

Purchaser name.
Email address.
Transaction status.
Amount paid.
Date of payment.
Payment or transaction identifier.
Billing information made available to us by the processor.
Other information reasonably necessary to administer the transaction and maintain business records.

Payment processors handle payment information according to their own terms and privacy practices.

Rocking Chair Collective may change or add payment providers as its business needs evolve.

Printable Products and Third-Party Marketplaces

Rocking Chair Collective or Shela Studio may display, promote, or sell printable or digital products through third-party marketplaces or services, including platforms such as Etsy.

When you follow a link from Rocking Chair Collective to a third-party marketplace or service, you may leave our website.

Information submitted directly to that marketplace - including purchase and payment information - is collected and handled by the third party according to its own privacy policies and terms.

Rocking Chair Collective does not control the privacy practices of independent third-party marketplaces.

We encourage users to review the privacy policies of third-party websites and services before providing personal information.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit a website, certain technical information may be processed automatically by the technologies and service providers used to operate and deliver the website.

Depending on the services used to host and operate Rocking Chair Collective, this information may include:

Internet Protocol (IP) address.
Browser type.
Device type.
Operating system.
Date and time of access.
Pages or resources requested.
Referring or exit information.
General technical information necessary for website operation, security, troubleshooting, or delivery.

Rocking Chair Collective does not currently use website analytics or advertising pixels for its own targeted advertising or behavioral advertising purposes.

If we later introduce analytics, advertising technologies, or other tools that materially change how visitor information is collected or used, we may update this Privacy Policy and provide additional notices or choices when appropriate or required.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

The website or third-party services used to host, secure, deliver, or operate it may use cookies or similar technologies.

These technologies may support:

Basic website functionality.
Security.
Fraud prevention.
Remembering user preferences.
Features requested by visitors.
Necessary third-party services.

Rocking Chair Collective does not currently use cookies for its own targeted behavioral advertising purposes.

If our use of cookies or similar technologies changes materially, we may update this Privacy Policy and implement additional notices or consent mechanisms where appropriate or required.

How We Use Information

We may use information collected through Rocking Chair Collective to:

Operate, maintain, and improve the website.
Review business applications.
Review creator applications.
Review founder interviews and other submissions.
Evaluate eligibility.
Conduct reasonable verification.
Communicate with applicants, businesses, creators, customers, and visitors.
Respond to questions and contact requests.
Create, publish, maintain, and promote approved business listings.
Create, publish, maintain, and promote editorial features.
Create, publish, maintain, and promote creator profiles.
Display business location, shipping, or service-area information.
Provide services requested or purchased from us.
Administer complimentary, promotional, launch-period, or invited services.
Send transactional or service-related communications.
Send newsletters or marketing communications when the recipient has chosen to receive them.
Maintain business and transaction records.
Protect the website, visitors, participating businesses, creators, and Rocking Chair Collective.
Detect or address misuse, fraud, security concerns, eligibility concerns, or policy violations.
Troubleshoot technical problems.
Comply with applicable legal, tax, accounting, or regulatory obligations.
Establish, exercise, or defend legal claims when reasonably necessary.

We may also use information for another purpose when you direct us to do so or when appropriate notice is provided.

Third-Party Service Providers

We may share information with or allow access to information by service providers when reasonably necessary to operate Rocking Chair Collective and Shela Studio.

These providers may assist with functions such as:

Website hosting and infrastructure.
Form processing.
Email delivery.
Automated application communications.
Newsletter delivery.
Payment processing.
Data storage.
Website security.
Technical support.
Business administration.
Digital-product sales.

Services currently used or expected to be used by Rocking Chair Collective or Shela Studio may include:

Tally, for applications, interviews, onboarding forms, and other forms.
Google Workspace, including Gmail, Google Sheets, Google Drive, and related Google services, for business administration, records, and communications.
Brevo, for newsletter subscriptions, subscriber management, and newsletter email delivery.
Stripe, for certain payment-processing services.
Etsy or other third-party marketplaces, when applicable to digital or printable products.
Website hosting, domain, or infrastructure providers used to operate Rocking Chair Collective.

These providers may process information on our behalf or according to their own applicable terms and privacy practices.

We may add, replace, or discontinue service providers as our business and technology needs change.

How We May Share Information

Rocking Chair Collective does not sell personal information in exchange for money.

In addition to service providers described above, we may disclose information when reasonably necessary to:

Comply with applicable law, regulation, court order, subpoena, or lawful process.
Respond to legitimate requests from government or regulatory authorities.
Protect our rights, property, safety, visitors, businesses, creators, or others.
Investigate suspected fraud, misuse, security incidents, or violations of our policies.
Establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.
Complete or evaluate a business reorganization, transfer, sale, or similar transaction as permitted by applicable law.

Information intentionally submitted for publication through a business listing, editorial feature, or creator profile may also be shared publicly as described in this Privacy Policy.

Third-Party Websites, Businesses and Services

Rocking Chair Collective contains or may contain links to:

Featured businesses.
Creator social media profiles.
Online stores.
Social media platforms.
Third-party marketplaces.
Payment processors.
External websites.
Other services that Rocking Chair Collective does not operate.

Following a third-party link may take you away from our website.

Rocking Chair Collective is not responsible for the privacy, security, content, or data practices of independent third parties.

Their handling of information is governed by their own privacy policies and terms.

Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including:

Providing requested services.
Reviewing and administering applications.
Administering creator partnerships.
Creating and maintaining business listings.
Creating and maintaining creator profiles.
Creating and maintaining editorial features.
Maintaining appropriate transaction and business records.
Resolving disputes.
Enforcing agreements and policies.
Addressing fraud, safety, or security concerns.
Satisfying applicable legal, accounting, tax, or recordkeeping obligations.

Different categories of information may be retained for different periods depending on their purpose.

Information intentionally published as part of a business listing, editorial feature, or creator profile may remain publicly available until it is removed or updated in accordance with Rocking Chair Collective's applicable policies and editorial practices.

Published Meet the Mothers editorial features may remain part of the Rocking Chair Collective editorial archive after their original promotional period ends, subject to the Editorial Policy.

Information no longer reasonably needed may be deleted, anonymized, or otherwise disposed of when appropriate.

Data Security

We take reasonable measures appropriate to a small online business to protect information under our control from unauthorized access, misuse, loss, alteration, or disclosure.

We also use third-party providers for services such as forms, email, payment processing, website hosting, and data storage.

No website, email system, online form, payment system, electronic transmission, or data-storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

We therefore cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Choices and Privacy Requests

Depending on your relationship with Rocking Chair Collective and the laws applicable to the request, you may contact us to ask that we:

Correct inaccurate personal information you provided.
Update information associated with your business application.
Update information associated with your creator application or profile.
Update a public listing or profile when reasonably appropriate.
Delete certain personal information when appropriate and legally permitted.
Remove certain publicly displayed information, subject to applicable editorial, archival, transaction, or contractual considerations.
Stop sending optional marketing communications.
Answer questions about how information you provided is being used.

Some information may need to be retained when reasonably necessary for:

Legal obligations.
Tax or accounting purposes.
Fraud prevention.
Dispute resolution.
Recordkeeping.
Security.
Enforcement of agreements or policies.
Other legitimate business purposes.

Requests concerning publicly displayed listings, creator profiles, or editorial features may also be subject to the Rocking Chair Collective Editorial Policy and the terms associated with the applicable opportunity.

We may take reasonable steps to verify the identity or authority of a person making a privacy-related request.

California Privacy

Rocking Chair Collective is operated from California and respects privacy rights available to California residents under applicable law.

California residents may contact us with questions or requests relating to personal information we maintain about them.

The specific rights available to an individual depend on the law applicable to Rocking Chair Collective at the time of the request and the nature of the information involved.

We will evaluate applicable privacy requests in accordance with the laws that apply to us.

Visitors, Businesses and Creators Outside the United States

Rocking Chair Collective may be accessed by visitors, businesses, and creators outside the United States.

Our website and business are operated from the United States.

Information submitted to Rocking Chair Collective may therefore be processed, transferred to, or stored in the United States or in other locations where our service providers operate.

Privacy and data-protection laws vary between countries.

Participation from another country does not necessarily mean every Rocking Chair Collective service, payment option, business opportunity, or feature is available in that jurisdiction.

Businesses and creators are responsible for determining whether participation in Rocking Chair Collective is permitted under laws applicable to them.

As Rocking Chair Collective expands internationally, we may update this Privacy Policy, our forms, or our data practices when additional privacy requirements apply to the jurisdictions in which we intentionally offer services.

Children's Privacy

Rocking Chair Collective is intended primarily for adults, particularly mothers, business owners, creators, and adults interested in discovering and supporting mom-owned businesses.

The website and its application programs are not directed to children under 13.

We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information directly from children under 13.

Some businesses, editorial content, creator content, resources, or products featured through Rocking Chair Collective may relate to children, teenagers, parenting, or families. This does not mean Rocking Chair Collective is intended as a service directed to children.

Adults may sometimes submit photographs or information involving their own children as part of founder stories, business materials, or creator content.

The adult submitting such materials is responsible for ensuring they have appropriate authority or permission to provide them.

If we learn that personal information has been submitted directly to us by a child under 13 in circumstances where we should not retain it, we may take reasonable steps to delete it.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

Rocking Chair Collective may update this Privacy Policy as the website, programs, geographic reach, technology, service providers, or legal requirements change.

When the policy is updated, we will revise the Last Updated date displayed on this page.

If a change materially affects how personal information is handled, we may provide additional notice when appropriate or required.

We encourage visitors and participants to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or would like to submit a privacy-related request, you may contact Rocking Chair Collective through the Contact page or by email at:

hello@shelastudio.co

Rocking Chair Collective

Operated by Shela Studio