Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 13, 2026

---

Who We Are

Hive29 is a boutique digital systems agency that specializes in CRM implementation, workflow automation, website design and integration, and tech infrastructure setup for solopreneurs, small businesses, and creative studios.

Contact: Rich, Founder & Chief Systems Architect
Email: rich@hive29.io
Website: hive29.io

---

Information We Collect

Information You Provide to Us

When you work with Hive29 or inquire about our services, we collect information you voluntarily provide, including:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, business name, and mailing address
• Business Information: Details about your business operations, current systems and tools, workflow processes, pain points, and goals
• Project Information: Specific requirements for your CRM, website, automation needs, and technical infrastructure
• Payment Information: Billing details for project invoices (processed securely through our payment processor)
• Communication Records: Email correspondence, meeting notes, project documentation, and feedback

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, and referring websites
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address, and device identifiers
• Analytics Data: Aggregated data about how visitors interact with our website

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from:

• Referral partners or professional contacts who recommend our services
• Public business directories or professional networking platforms (when researching your business needs)
• Third-party tools and platforms we integrate with during project work

---

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide Our Services

• Assess your business needs and recommend appropriate solutions
• Implement and configure CRM systems, websites, and automation workflows
• Communicate about project progress, deliverables, and next steps
• Provide ongoing support and maintenance for systems we've built
• Troubleshoot issues and optimize your digital infrastructure

Business Operations

• Process payments and manage billing
• Respond to inquiries and schedule consultations
• Send project updates, invoices, and important service notifications
• Maintain records of our work and client relationships

Improve Our Services

• Analyze how clients use the systems we build to identify improvements
• Understand common pain points and develop better solutions
• Test new features and services before wider implementation

Legal and Security

• Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights
• Prevent fraud, abuse, or security issues
• Respond to legal requests and enforce our Terms of Service

---

How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Service Providers & Tools

We work with trusted third-party platforms to deliver our services. Your information may be shared with:

• Email & Communication: Google Workspace (email hosting and communication)
• Client Management: HoneyBook (project management, proposals, contracts, and invoicing)
• Website Hosting: Squarespace, Framer (when building or hosting your website)
• Payment Processing: Secure payment processors for billing (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
• CRM Platforms: When implementing systems on your behalf (HoneyBook, Dubsado, Bonsai, etc.)
• Automation Tools: Integration platforms like Zapier or Make when building workflows
• Cloud Storage: Google Drive for storing project files and documentation

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and only use it to provide services on our behalf.

Freelance Network

Hive29 operates through a trusted freelance network. When working on your project, we may share relevant project information with:

• Web developers, designers, or technical specialists assisting with your project
• Quality assurance professionals reviewing deliverables

All freelancers sign confidentiality agreements and are bound by the same privacy standards as Hive29.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or legal process, or to:

• Protect the rights, property, or safety of Hive29, our clients, or others
• Enforce our agreements and policies
• Respond to claims of legal violations

Business Transfers

If Hive29 is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

---

Data Security

We take the security of your information seriously and implement appropriate measures to protect it:

• Secure Communication: All email communication is encrypted through Google Workspace
• Access Controls: Limited access to client data on a need-to-know basis
• Secure Storage: Client files and project data stored in password-protected cloud platforms
• Regular Backups: Important data is backed up regularly to prevent loss
• Security Updates: We keep all tools and systems up to date with the latest security patches

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

---

Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide ongoing services and support
• Comply with legal, tax, or accounting requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Maintain business records and portfolio documentation (with identifying information removed)

Active Clients: We retain your project files and communication records throughout our engagement and for a reasonable period afterward to provide support.

After Project Completion: We archive project documentation for reference and may retain anonymized portfolio examples. You may request deletion of your personal information at any time (subject to legal retention requirements).

Inactive Prospects: If you inquire about services but don't move forward, we'll keep your contact information for up to 2 years, then delete it unless you opt in to stay in touch.

---

Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access & Portability

You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, in a commonly used format.

Correction

You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information about you.

Deletion

You can request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal or contractual obligations that require us to retain certain data.

Opt-Out

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" in any email or contacting us directly.

Data Objection

You can object to certain uses of your information, such as for marketing purposes.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at rich@hive29.io

---

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how visitors use our website
• Improve website performance and user experience
• Analyze traffic patterns and site usage

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

Analytics: We may use Google Analytics or similar services to understand website traffic. These tools collect anonymized data about visitor behavior.

---

Third-Party Links

Our website and communications may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

---

Children's Privacy

Hive29's services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately so we can delete it.

---

California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
• Right to delete personal information held by businesses
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at rich@hive29.io

---

International Data Transfers

Hive29 operates primarily in the United States. If you are located outside the U.S., please be aware that information we collect may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers and service providers are located.

By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries where we operate.

---

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy
• Post the updated policy on our website
• Notify active clients of significant changes via email

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

---