Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

TradesForward, Inc. ("TradesForward," "we," "us," or "our") is a minority woman-owned C Corporation registered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and SAM.gov. We operate an online workforce training platform at gettradesforward.com designed to help skilled tradespeople start and grow their businesses. We are committed to protecting the privacy and educational records of all users in accordance with applicable federal law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and applicable state privacy laws.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information:

• Account Information: Name, email address, and password when you create an account.
• Profile Information: Trade type, business name, and state/license information you provide voluntarily to personalize your experience and templates.
• Educational Records: Module completion status, quiz scores, progress tracking data, and certificate issuance records. These are protected under FERPA.
• Payment Information: Billing details processed through our secure third-party payment processor. We do not store full credit card numbers on our servers.
• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, device type, browser type, and IP address, collected via cookies and server logs to improve the platform.
• Communications: Messages you send us via our contact or partner inquiry forms.

We do not collect sensitive categories of personal information such as Social Security numbers, government-issued ID numbers, or health information.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and improve the TradesForward platform and training content
• Generate personalized training certificates and document templates
• Track your progress across modules and devices
• Process payments and manage your subscription
• Send transactional emails (account confirmation, receipt, password reset)
• Respond to your inquiries and support requests
• Comply with legal obligations and government grant reporting requirements
• Generate anonymized, aggregate analytics to improve our curriculum

We do not use your information for targeted advertising. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

4. FERPA — Protection of Educational Records

TradesForward is an educational training provider and treats your training records as educational records subject to FERPA principles. This means:

• Your individual progress, quiz scores, and completion records are confidential.
• We will not disclose your educational records to employers, third parties, or government agencies without your written consent, except as required by law.
• If your employer or organization has enrolled you through an Organization plan, they may receive aggregate completion reports but will not receive individual quiz scores or detailed progress data without your consent.
• You have the right to inspect and review your educational records by contacting us at privacy@gettradesforward.com.
• You have the right to request correction of inaccurate records.

5. How We Share Information

We share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors who help us operate the platform (payment processing, cloud hosting, email delivery). These providers are contractually bound to protect your data and may not use it for their own purposes.
• Employer / Organization Accounts: If enrolled through an Organization plan, your employer may receive aggregate completion reports. Individual records are shared only with your consent.
• Government Reporting: We may share anonymized, aggregate data with government agencies as required for grant compliance and WIOA reporting. No personally identifiable information is shared without consent.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of our users or the public.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your data becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

6. Cookies and Tracking

We use essential cookies to keep you logged in and remember your progress. We use analytics cookies to understand how users interact with our platform so we can improve it. We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies. You may disable cookies in your browser settings, though some platform features may not function correctly without them.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including encryption of data in transit (TLS/HTTPS), encrypted storage for sensitive data, access controls limiting who can view user data, and regular security reviews. While we take reasonable precautions, no system is completely secure. We encourage you to use a strong, unique password and to contact us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.

8. Data Retention

We retain your account and educational records for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law (such as financial records, which are retained for 7 years per IRS requirements). Anonymized, aggregate training data may be retained indefinitely for research and reporting purposes.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten"), subject to legal retention requirements.
• Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format.
• Opt-Out: Opt out of non-essential communications at any time via unsubscribe links or by contacting us.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@gettradesforward.com. We will respond within 30 days. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

10. Children's Privacy

TradesForward is intended for users 18 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately at privacy@gettradesforward.com.

11. Accessibility

This Privacy Policy is available in accessible formats upon request. If you need this policy in an alternative format due to a disability, please contact us at accessibility@gettradesforward.com and we will provide an accessible version within 5 business days.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new policy on this page with an updated effective date and, for significant changes, by sending an email notification to registered users. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:

• Privacy inquiries: privacy@gettradesforward.com
• Accessibility inquiries: accessibility@gettradesforward.com
• Platform & account support: admin@gettradesforward.com
• Mailing address: TradesForward, Inc. — Houston, TX 77006

Cancellation & Refund Policy

1. Core Training — One-Time Purchase ($149)

Because Core Training provides immediate access to digital educational content, refunds are subject to the following conditions:

• Full Refund — Within 30 days, fewer than 3 modules completed: If you purchased Core Training, have completed fewer than 3 of the 12 modules, and request a refund within 30 days of purchase, you will receive a full refund. No questions asked.
• No Refund — After 30 days OR after completing 3 or more modules: Once you have had meaningful access to and use of the content, the purchase is final. This is consistent with standard digital education product policies and is clearly disclosed at point of purchase.
• Permanent Access Unaffected: A refund-ineligible purchase never expires. You retain lifetime access to all Core Training modules regardless of future membership or subscription status.

2. Pro Membership — Annual & Monthly Subscription

Pro Membership is available as an annual subscription or a monthly subscription. Founding Member Pricing (available through September 30, 2026): $79/year or $9.99/month. Members who subscribe during the founding period are grandfathered at their rate for as long as their subscription remains active — their price will never increase. Standard pricing beginning October 1, 2026: $199/year or $19.99/month.

• No Refund After Purchase: Because Pro Membership provides immediate ongoing value — regulatory alerts, community access, the living template library, and business tools — annual membership fees are non-refundable after purchase.
• Cancel Anytime — Access Continues Through Paid Period: You may cancel Pro Membership at any time. Upon cancellation, your membership will not auto-renew at the end of your current annual period. You retain full Pro Member access and all benefits through the last day of your paid annual period.
• No Pro-Rated Refunds: Canceling mid-year does not entitle you to a refund for unused months. You retain access for the full paid period.
• Auto-Renewal: Pro Membership renews automatically each year. You will receive a renewal reminder email at least 14 days before your renewal date. Cancel before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next year.
• Exception for Technical Failure: If a verified technical failure on our part prevents access to Pro Member features for more than 7 consecutive days, you are entitled to a pro-rated credit or refund for the affected period. Contact billing@gettradesforward.com.

3. Organization Plans

• Monthly Plans: Cancel at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current monthly billing cycle. No partial month refunds. Access continues through the end of the paid period.
• Annual Organization Contracts: Require 30 days written notice prior to renewal. No mid-term refunds unless agreed in writing at time of contract execution. Early termination fees may apply as specified in your organization agreement.
• Government Contracts: Governed by applicable contract terms and federal acquisition regulations.

4. Free Starter Plan

The Starter plan is free and requires no payment. You may delete your account at any time by contacting privacy@gettradesforward.com.

5. How to Request a Refund or Cancel

• Refund requests: Email billing@gettradesforward.com with your name, email address, purchase date, and reason. Eligible refunds are processed within 5–10 business days to your original payment method.
• Membership cancellation: Cancel in your account settings or email billing@gettradesforward.com. You will receive written confirmation within 2 business days.
• Chargeback policy: If you initiate a chargeback without first contacting us, we reserve the right to dispute it and suspend account access pending resolution. We are always willing to resolve billing disputes directly and promptly — please reach out first.

6. Our Commitment

We are a small, minority woman-owned business and we take every customer seriously. If you have a billing concern or did not receive the value you expected, please contact us before initiating a dispute. We will always try to find a fair resolution.

Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the TradesForward platform ("the Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform. These Terms apply to all users including free, paid individual, and organization account holders.

2. Description of Service

TradesForward provides online business education and training resources for skilled tradespeople, including instructional modules, downloadable templates, interactive tools, and community features. The Platform is operated by TradesForward, Inc., a minority woman-owned C Corporation registered in the United States and listed on SAM.gov (UEI: EZYCWX7MFNT9). The Platform is accessible at gettradesforward.com (primary website) and tradesforwardapp.com (platform application).

3. Educational Content — Not Professional Advice

All content on TradesForward — including training modules, templates, business tools, regulatory update alerts, and community discussions — is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing on this Platform constitutes legal advice, tax advice, financial advice, accounting advice, or professional consulting of any kind.

Laws, regulations, tax codes, and best practices change frequently and vary significantly by state and locality. You are solely responsible for verifying any information with a qualified licensed professional before making business, legal, or financial decisions. TradesForward is not liable for any action taken or not taken based on Platform content.

4. Content Accuracy, Currency & Limitations

TradesForward makes good-faith efforts to ensure training content is accurate and consistent with federal law and widely-applicable regulations at the time of publication. However, users must understand the following critical limitations:

• Laws change frequently. Tax rates, IRS form numbers, quarterly payment deadlines, payroll requirements, mechanics lien procedures, licensing requirements, and employment laws are subject to change at any time by federal, state, or local authorities. TradesForward cannot guarantee that any specific figure, date, form number, or procedural requirement referenced in training content reflects the current law at the time you access it.
• State law varies significantly. Many topics covered — including contractor licensing, mechanics liens, workers' compensation, employment law, and business registration — differ substantially from state to state. Content is written to reflect common federal standards and general principles. It may not accurately reflect the law in your specific state.
• Content review schedule. TradesForward reviews and updates training content at least annually. Pro Members receive regulatory update alerts when significant changes to federal law affect content covered in TradesForward modules. The date of last content review is displayed on the platform. A recent review date does not guarantee that no relevant changes have occurred since that review.
• No substitute for professional advice. Nothing in TradesForward training content — including examples, figures, timelines, form references, or procedural guidance — should be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney, certified public accountant, financial advisor, or other qualified professional familiar with your specific circumstances and jurisdiction.
• User responsibility. You are solely responsible for verifying the accuracy and applicability of any information before acting on it. TradesForward expressly disclaims any liability for errors, omissions, or outdated information in training content, and for any loss or damage arising from reliance on such content.

Specific areas of particular caution include but are not limited to: federal and state tax rates and deadlines; IRS form numbers and filing procedures; payroll tax requirements; workers' compensation laws; contractor licensing requirements; mechanics lien filing procedures and deadlines; employment classification rules (W-2 vs. 1099); and retirement account contribution limits.

5. User Accounts & Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account.
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
• You agree to provide accurate and complete information when creating your account.
• You may not share your account or allow others to access paid content through your credentials.
• TradesForward reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

6. Payments & Refunds

Payment terms, cancellation rights, and refund eligibility are governed by our Cancellation & Refund Policy, incorporated into these Terms by reference. By completing a purchase, you agree to the applicable pricing and refund terms in effect at the time of purchase. All prices are in U.S. dollars. TradesForward does not store full payment card information on its servers.

7. Intellectual Property

All TradesForward content — including modules, written content, template designs, tools, graphics, and branding — is the exclusive intellectual property of TradesForward, Inc., protected by U.S. copyright law.

• You may use downloaded templates for your own personal business use only.
• You may not reproduce, distribute, resell, sublicense, or create derivative works from any TradesForward content without prior written permission.
• You may not share login credentials, screen-record modules for redistribution, or make content available to non-paying users.
• Personalized template downloads are licensed for your individual business use only and may not be resold or redistributed.

8. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to use the Platform to violate any applicable law, impersonate another person, circumvent payment systems, upload malicious code or spam, harass community members, systematically scrape or extract content, or reverse engineer the Platform.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, TradesForward, Inc. shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platform. TradesForward's total liability for any claim shall not exceed the total amount you paid to TradesForward in the 12 months preceding the claim.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. TradesForward does not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.

11. Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Any dispute that cannot be resolved informally shall be submitted to binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, conducted in Houston, Texas. You waive any right to a jury trial or class action in connection with any dispute.

12. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. We will notify registered users of material changes via email at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

13. Contact

• Legal: legal@gettradesforward.com
• Government & employer contracts: contracts@gettradesforward.com
• Billing & refunds: billing@gettradesforward.com
• Platform & account support: admin@gettradesforward.com
• General: hello@gettradesforward.com
• Mailing address: TradesForward, Inc. — Houston, TX 77006