Privacy Policy

Effective date: January 1st, 2026

1. Who We Are

The How LLC (dba The How Skills) is a Washington State limited liability company in the United States.

Website: thehowskills.com

Email for privacy questions or requests: hello@thehowskills.com

For purposes of applicable data protection laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), The How LLC acts as the data controller.

2. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to:

  • private individual clients

  • corporate partnership clients and their employees

  • prospective clients

  • website visitors

We primarily serve adults but also provide services to minors within the United States, with parental or guardian involvement. When working with minors:

  • Services are provided with parental or guardian involvement

  • Personal data is collected only as necessary to deliver services

  • We do not knowingly collect personal data from children without appropriate consent

  • Parents or guardians may request access, correction, or deletion of a minor’s data by emailing hello@thehowskills.com

3. Personal Data We Collect

Information you provide

  • Name and email address

  • Phone number, when provided, used only as a backup communication method for private individual clients

  • Intake form responses used to customize services

  • Coaching notes documenting strategies, systems, and progress

  • Survey responses

  • Payment information for private individual clients, processed by Stripe

  • Corporate billing information processed via purchase orders

We do not collect medical or mental health information.

Information collected automatically

  • Website cookies used for functionality

  • Website usage data collected through Google Analytics

4. How We Use Personal Data

We use personal data to:

  • provide coaching, consulting, and training services

  • communicate regarding scheduling and service delivery

  • process payments and manage billing

  • respond to inquiries and support requests

  • send marketing emails to private individuals who have subscribed

  • improve services and website functionality

  • meet legal, accounting, and contractual obligations

5. Legal Bases for Processing

When GDPR applies, processing is based on:

  • performance of a contract

  • legitimate interests related to business operations and security

  • consent, where required for marketing communications

  • legal obligations

Consent may be withdrawn at any time.

6. Sharing of Personal Data

We do not sell personal data.

We only store personal data with trusted service providers, including:

  • Google Workspace

  • Microsoft 365

  • Stripe

  • Acuity

  • Teachworks

  • Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom

  • Mailchimp

  • QuickBooks Online

These providers process data under contractual obligations consistent with applicable data protection laws.

7. International Transfers

We serve clients in APAC and EMEA. Personal data may be processed in the United States or other countries where service providers operate. Where required, appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses are used.

8. Data Retention

Personal data is retained only as long as necessary.

  • Client records and coaching notes: up to seven years after the last session

  • Leads and inquiries: until unsubscribe or twenty-four months after last interaction

  • Marketing subscribers: until unsubscribe or withdrawal of consent

  • Employee and contractor records: seven years after end of engagement

  • Billing and accounting records: as required by law

Retention may vary based on legal or contractual requirements.

9. Security Measures

We use appropriate technical and organizational safeguards, including:

  • access controls and role-based permissions

  • multi-factor authentication (MFA)

  • encryption at rest and in transit

  • company owned devices with full disk encryption (BitLocker, FileVault)

  • account offboarding procedures

10. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict, object to processing, or receive a copy of your personal data.

Requests can be submitted to hello@thehowskills.com.

11. Cookies

We use cookies for basic website functionality and analytics. Browser settings can be used to manage cookies.

12. Updates

This policy may be updated periodically. Changes will be posted on our website.