Privacy policy
Last updated: 28 October 2026
Coaching often means talking about money, work and life plans, so I take your privacy seriously. This policy explains what personal information I collect, why, how I look after it and the rights you have.
Who I am
Creative Coach Studio is run by Zai Joud. I'm responsible for your personal information (the "data controller") under UK data protection law, including the UK GDPR. You can contact me about anything in this policy at hello@creativecoach.studio.
What I collect
- Contact details: your name, email address, phone number and where you're based.
- What you tell me: information you share in messages, the intro call, sessions and worksheets. This can include your income, spending, savings, debts, tax position, business plans and life goals.
- My notes: notes I make during and after our sessions, and the plans we agree.
- Payment information: payments are handled by a payment provider. I see your name, the amount and whether it was paid, but not your full card or bank details.
- Website: this site doesn't track you. It only stores your cookie choice in your own browser (see the cookie policy). My hosting provider may keep standard technical logs, such as IP addresses, to keep the site secure.
Please only share health or other sensitive personal details if you want them to shape our work, for example if stress about money is affecting your health. If you do, I'll only use them with your explicit consent and only for your coaching.
How I use it, and why
Data protection law requires me to have a lawful reason for each use.
| What I do | Lawful reason |
|---|---|
| Reply to your enquiry and arrange an intro call | Taking steps at your request before an agreement |
| Provide coaching and any practical work we agree | Our agreement (contract) |
| Take payments and keep business and tax records | Contract, and legal obligations |
| Use sensitive details you choose to share | Your explicit consent, which you can withdraw at any time |
| Send occasional emails with tips or news | Your consent, only if you sign up; you can unsubscribe at any time |
| Keep the website secure and running | My legitimate interests |
I never sell your information, and I don't use it for automated decision-making or profiling.
Who I share it with
I only share what's needed, with:
- Service providers I use to run the business, such as email, calendar, video call, payment, website hosting and file storage providers. They can only use your information to provide their service to me.
- WhatsApp, if you choose to message me there. WhatsApp is run by Meta and has its own privacy policy.
- Your accountant, lawyer or other advisers, only if you ask me to work with them.
- My own professional advisers, such as my accountant or insurer, where needed.
- Authorities, only where the law requires it.
Some providers may store information outside the UK. Where they do, I make sure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as approved data transfer agreements or countries the UK recognises as having adequate protection.
How long I keep it
- Enquiries that don't lead to working together: up to 12 months, then deleted.
- Client records, including notes and payment records: for as long as we work together, then for as long as the law requires for business and tax records, normally six years. After that they're securely deleted.
- You can ask me to delete information sooner, and I will unless I'm legally required to keep it.
How I keep it safe
I use password-protected accounts with two-factor sign-in where available, keep notes in secure storage, and only keep what I need. If something ever went wrong that put your information at risk, I'd tell you and, where required, report it to the regulator.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- ask for a copy of the information I hold about you
- ask me to correct anything that's wrong
- ask me to delete your information
- ask me to limit how I use it, or object to how I use it
- ask for your information in a format you can take elsewhere
- withdraw your consent at any time, where I rely on it
To use any of these rights, email hello@creativecoach.studio. There's no charge, and I'll reply within one month.
If you're unhappy with how I've handled your information, please tell me first so I can put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK data protection regulator, at ico.org.uk.
Changes to this policy
I'll update this page if anything changes, and change the date at the top. If a change affects you significantly, I'll let you know directly.