Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Talent Optimization Academy LLC, doing business as Winston Media ("Winston Media," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and protects information when you visit consultwinston.com, any of our affiliated landing pages, and when you communicate with us by SMS, email, or phone.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Contact details: name, email address, mobile phone number, and company name when you fill out a form, book a session, or sign up for SMS updates.
• Billing information: handled and stored by Stripe. We retain a Stripe customer ID linked to your account. We do not store full payment card details on our servers.
• Communications: the content of messages you send us by email, SMS, or contact form.
• Usage data: standard analytics such as IP address, browser type, pages visited, and referring URLs. Used to improve the site, not to identify you personally.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Deliver the services you have requested, including strategy sessions, content programs, and SMS communications.
• Send you transactional messages (booking confirmations, receipts, updates).
• Process payment and manage your subscription where applicable.
• Respond to your questions and provide customer support.
• Improve our website, content, and services.
• Comply with our legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

3. SMS Communications

How consent is captured

We collect SMS consent when you check the consent box on a Winston Media signup form and submit your mobile number. We retain a timestamped record of that consent for our compliance records. We do not enroll you in SMS communications without your explicit opt-in.

Opt-out and help

You can stop receiving SMS messages from us at any time by replying STOP to any message you receive from us. After we process your opt-out you will receive one confirmation message and no further messages will be sent to your number. Reply HELP at any time for assistance, or email john@consultwinston.com.

4. How We Share Information

We share information only with the service providers required to operate our business, and only for the purpose of operating that part of our business:

• Stripe for payment processing and subscription billing.
• Twilio for SMS message delivery, where applicable.
• Calendly for booking and scheduling.
• Email and hosting providers for transactional email and website operations.
• Analytics providers for anonymous, aggregated site usage data.

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information, phone number, or SMS consent information with any third party for their marketing or promotional purposes, ever.

We may disclose information when required by law, in response to a valid legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Winston Media, our customers, or others.

5. Data Retention

We retain your contact information for as long as your relationship with us is active, and as needed to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Inactive accounts may be archived or deleted on a periodic basis. You may request deletion of your information at any time by emailing john@consultwinston.com.

6. Security

We use industry-standard safeguards to protect your information, including encrypted transmission (TLS), access controls on our databases, and scoped credentials for the service providers listed above. No system is perfectly secure, but we treat your phone number, contact details, and billing information as sensitive personal data.

7. Your Rights

You may, at any time:

• Stop receiving SMS messages by replying STOP.
• Unsubscribe from email by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email.
• Request a copy of the information we hold about you by emailing john@consultwinston.com.
• Request correction or deletion of your information at the same address.

8. Children's Privacy

Winston Media's services are intended for users 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated by posting an updated version here with a new effective date, and where appropriate, by email or SMS to active contacts. Continued use of our services after the effective date of an update constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy, your information, or your SMS consent can be directed to:

Winston Media
Talent Optimization Academy LLC d/b/a Winston Media
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States
john@consultwinston.com