Welcome to Built By Rachel Studio ("BBRS"). BBRS is operated by Rachel Amaral in Connecticut. These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") explain the expectations, responsibilities, payment terms, and policies that apply when you work with BBRS or use BBRS services, website, or resources.
By purchasing, booking, or otherwise agreeing to receive services from BBRS, you agree to these Terms along with the specific scope, pricing, timeline, and other details provided for your project or service.
Services
BBRS provides virtual assistant, creative, website, systems, automation, AI, social media, strategy, organizational, and related business-support services.
The exact services included in your project or ongoing support will be outlined in the applicable proposal, scope of work, invoice, email agreement, service description, or other written agreement between you and BBRS.
Services not specifically included in the agreed scope are not automatically included.
Scope of Work
Before paid work begins, BBRS and the client will agree on the general scope, deliverables, pricing, and other applicable project details.
If a request falls outside the agreed scope, BBRS will discuss it with the client before completing the additional work. Additional work may require an additional fee, separate quote, or adjusted timeline.
BBRS will not intentionally perform out-of-scope paid work and then surprise the client with an invoice.
Client Responsibilities
Clients are responsible for providing the information, source materials, assets, access, logins, approvals, feedback, and other materials reasonably needed for BBRS to complete the agreed work.
Clients are responsible for ensuring that information and materials they provide are accurate and that they have the right to use them.
BBRS is not responsible for errors, delays, or issues caused by inaccurate information, missing materials, delayed access, or other client-provided information or circumstances.
Project Payments
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, project-based services require a 50% non-refundable deposit before work begins.
Your project is not considered booked and work will not begin until the required deposit has been received.
The remaining 50% balance is normally due after the included revision process is complete and before final files, final access, handoff, launch, publication, or go-live, as applicable to the project.
Certain cancellation or abandonment situations described in these Terms may cause the remaining balance to become due earlier.
Payment Methods
BBRS accepts electronic payments through its designated invoicing and payment system.
BBRS may, at its approval and discretion, accept alternative payment methods such as Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, or other payment methods. Alternative payment methods are not guaranteed.
All payment deadlines, deposit requirements, cancellation policies, and other payment obligations remain the same regardless of the payment method used.
Any third-party payment provider may have its own terms, policies, processing procedures, or fees.
Monthly Services
Ongoing monthly services are billed and paid in full before each service month begins.
If payment is not received, BBRS is not required to begin or continue services for that service month.
Monthly services are month-to-month unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Once a service month has begun, the payment for that month is non-refundable if the client chooses to cancel because BBRS reserved capacity for that work.
Cancellation of future monthly service becomes effective for the next service month.
If BBRS ends a monthly service during a paid service month for BBRS's own reasons and is unable to complete the remaining agreed work, BBRS will provide a prorated refund for the portion of the paid service that will not be provided.
Different rules may apply when BBRS terminates services because of client nonpayment, misconduct, serious breach, or another reason addressed elsewhere in these Terms.
Monthly Hours & Capacity
For monthly services that include a set number of support hours, those hours are available for use during that service month only.
Unused hours do not roll over to future months and are not refundable.
During the final week of the service month, BBRS may check in with the client when unused time remains and ask whether there are additional in-scope tasks that would be helpful.
Additional hours beyond the purchased amount may be available for an additional fee and are subject to BBRS availability.
Communication & Response Times
Email is BBRS's primary and official communication channel for client work, approvals, project decisions, and other important records.
Phone or other communication methods may be available for day-to-day communication for certain ongoing services, but they do not replace email when a formal written record is appropriate.
General BBRS response time is approximately 1-2 business days.
For Right-Hand + Ongoing Support clients, requests are generally acknowledged within 24 hours. Acknowledgment does not mean the task will be completed within 24 hours.
Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.
Client Feedback & Deadlines
Certain services include specific client feedback deadlines.
When a feedback deadline applies, the client is responsible for providing complete, consolidated feedback within that timeframe.
These deadlines are client response deadlines, not promises that BBRS will complete the next stage of work within the same timeframe.
Late feedback, content, approvals, access, or other client materials may shift the original timeline or scheduled posting/launch date.
BBRS is not responsible for maintaining an original completion date when progress is delayed by the client.
Revisions
The number of revision rounds included depends on the service purchased and will be communicated as part of the applicable scope.
A revision round means a consolidated set of reasonable changes to the work already created within the agreed scope.
Requests beyond the included revision rounds or requests that materially change the original direction or scope may require an additional fee or new quote.
BBRS will communicate any additional charge before completing paid additional work.
BBRS Errors
If BBRS makes an actual error in the agreed deliverable, BBRS will correct that error without charging the client and without counting the correction as a revision round.
A change in client preference, new request, change in direction, or error resulting from information supplied by the client is not considered a BBRS error.
Project Cancellation by the Client
The initial 50% project deposit is non-refundable.
If the client cancels before the applicable payment-trigger milestone, BBRS will retain the deposit, but no additional project balance will be due unless otherwise agreed.
If the client cancels after the applicable payment-trigger milestone has been reached or delivered, the remaining 50% balance becomes due.
Because BBRS offers different types of services, the applicable payment-trigger milestone may vary by project and will be identified in the client's specific scope, proposal, agreement, or other written project terms.
This cancellation payment rule is separate from BBRS's normal project payment terms.
Normally, the remaining 50% balance is due after the included revision process is complete and before final files, final access, handoff, launch, publication, or go-live, as applicable.
If the client cancels after the applicable payment-trigger milestone, the remaining balance may become due earlier.
Project Cancellation by BBRS
If BBRS cancels a project for BBRS's own reasons and is unable to complete the agreed project, BBRS will return the amount the client paid for that project.
BBRS will not be responsible for additional damages or expenses beyond the amount paid to BBRS for the affected service or project.
This section does not apply when BBRS terminates a client relationship because of nonpayment, misconduct, serious breach, illegal or unethical requests, or another client-related reason covered elsewhere in these Terms.
Client Ghosting / Project Abandonment
If BBRS receives no response from a project client for 30 consecutive days, BBRS may consider the project inactive or abandoned and close it.
If abandonment occurs before the applicable payment-trigger milestone, the deposit remains non-refundable and no additional balance is due unless otherwise agreed.
If abandonment occurs after the applicable payment-trigger milestone, the remaining project balance remains due.
If the client later returns, BBRS is not required to resume the project immediately or preserve the original timeline.
Resuming work is subject to BBRS's current availability and may require a new timeline.
This project-abandonment policy does not apply to ongoing monthly services, which are governed by their own payment, capacity, and client-delay terms.
Communicated Project Pauses
If a client communicates that they need to pause a project, BBRS may accommodate the pause when reasonably possible.
A pause does not guarantee preservation of the client's original project timeline, completion date, or calendar position.
When the client is ready to resume, work will continue based on BBRS's current availability and a revised timeline may be necessary.
Late or Missing Final Payment
If a required project balance has not been paid, BBRS may withhold final files, handoff, access transfer, publication, launch, or go-live until payment is received.
If payment remains unpaid for 7 calendar days after its due date, BBRS may add a one-time $25 late fee to the outstanding balance.
Refunds After Delivery
Completed and delivered work is non-refundable.
If there is an actual BBRS error, BBRS will correct it as described in these Terms.
A client changing their mind, changing direction, no longer wanting the completed work, or deciding not to use the deliverable is not a basis for a refund.
Rush Work
When BBRS agrees to accept project-based rush work, a 25% rush fee may apply.
Rush availability is never guaranteed.
A rush request does not automatically become accepted rush work until BBRS confirms availability and the applicable pricing.
Client Approval
When client approval is required before something is launched, published, scheduled, sent, or otherwise made live, the client is responsible for reviewing and approving the work.
Silence is not considered approval unless specifically agreed otherwise in writing.
BBRS will not move forward with any portion of the work that requires client approval until that approval is received, and any resulting delay may affect the project timeline or scheduled date.
Third-Party Platforms, Tools & Costs
BBRS may use or work within third-party platforms, software, websites, applications, AI tools, payment processors, scheduling tools, website platforms, social platforms, and other technology when providing services.
Unless specifically included in the agreed service, the client is responsible for their own platform, software, subscription, domain, hosting, transaction, or other third-party costs.
BBRS does not control third-party companies and is not responsible for their outages, downtime, bugs, policy changes, pricing changes, feature changes, account restrictions, or other actions outside BBRS's control.
Work required later because a third-party platform changes may be considered new paid work.
Client Account Access
When a service requires BBRS to access a client-owned account or platform, the client authorizes BBRS to access and use that account only as reasonably necessary to perform the agreed services.
Clients should use secure access-sharing methods when available.
The client is responsible for having the authority to provide BBRS with access to the account and any information contained within it.
Confidentiality
BBRS will keep non-public client information confidential and will use that information only as necessary to provide services, operate the business, or comply with legal obligations.
BBRS will not intentionally disclose confidential client information to unrelated third parties except when authorized by the client, necessary to provide services through trusted service providers, or required by law.
Ownership of Client Deliverables
After full payment, the client owns the final deliverables created specifically for the client and transferred to the client, unless otherwise stated in the applicable agreement.
Work created directly inside a client-owned account or platform is already housed within the client's account or control; however, this does not eliminate the client's payment obligations.
BBRS retains ownership of its underlying processes, methods, systems, frameworks, reusable templates, tools, workflows, know-how, and other materials that were not created exclusively as the client's final deliverable.
Client-Provided Materials & Copyright
Clients are responsible for ensuring they have the legal right to use any photos, videos, graphics, logos, fonts, copy, documents, music, trademarks, data, or other materials they provide to BBRS.
BBRS is not responsible for infringement or other legal issues resulting from client-provided materials that the client did not have permission to use.
Portfolio & Marketing Use
Unless the client requests confidentiality in writing, BBRS may showcase completed client work in its portfolio, website, social media, or other marketing materials.
BBRS will not intentionally display private backend information, confidential business information, passwords, customer data, or other sensitive non-public information as part of portfolio use.
Publicly attributed testimonials or client feedback will only be used with permission.
BBRS Resources & Materials
Free or paid BBRS-created resources, guides, workbooks, templates, educational materials, and similar materials are provided for the recipient's own personal or business use unless otherwise stated.
They may not be resold, redistributed, copied for commercial distribution, rebranded as someone else's work, or otherwise commercially exploited without written permission from BBRS.
Affiliate Links
BBRS may occasionally share affiliate links or recommendations.
Some links may result in BBRS earning a commission if a purchase is made, at no additional cost to the purchaser.
BBRS may share products, tools, or services that Rachel genuinely uses, likes, or recommends, but the purchaser's relationship with the third-party company is governed by that company's own terms, policies, and practices.
No Guaranteed Results
BBRS promises to provide the work and services agreed upon - not a specific business result.
BBRS does not guarantee revenue, sales, leads, conversions, audience growth, follower growth, engagement, business growth, marketing performance, or any other specific outcome.
Business results depend on many factors outside BBRS's control.
Strategy & Recommendations
Strategy, audits, planning, recommendations, brainstorming, and problem-solving services reflect BBRS's professional judgment based on the information available at the time.
Recommendations are not guarantees of a particular result.
The client remains responsible for their business decisions and for deciding whether and how to implement recommendations.
Post-Project Support
Completion of a project does not include indefinite maintenance, troubleshooting, updates, or ongoing support unless those services are specifically included in the agreed scope.
An actual BBRS delivery error will be corrected as described in these Terms.
Future issues caused by client changes, third-party platform changes, new requests, new functionality, or unrelated problems may require additional paid work.
Illegal, Fraudulent or Unethical Requests
BBRS may refuse or stop work that BBRS reasonably believes is illegal, fraudulent, deceptive, infringing, harmful, or unethical.
BBRS is not required to complete work simply because it was originally requested if completing that work would create a legal, ethical, or safety concern.
Termination for Client Conduct or Breach
BBRS may terminate services because of nonpayment, abusive or inappropriate behavior, repeated boundary violations, illegal or unethical requests, serious breach of the agreement, or other conduct that makes continuing the working relationship unreasonable.
In these circumstances, the project deposit remains non-refundable.
Amounts already due for completed work or under an applicable payment-trigger milestone remain due.
If the client has paid BBRS amounts beyond the non-refundable deposit for work that will not be performed, BBRS will return the applicable unearned portion where appropriate.
This provision is separate from BBRS cancelling a project for BBRS's own reasons.
Monthly Client Delays
Monthly services reserve BBRS capacity for the applicable service month.
Clients are responsible for providing content, assets, feedback, approvals, and other materials according to the applicable service schedule.
If client delays prevent BBRS from completing work during the service month, BBRS is not required to cram unfinished work into the end of the month, roll the unused capacity into another month, or provide a refund.
Subcontractors & Service Providers
BBRS may use trusted subcontractors, contractors, or service providers when reasonably necessary to support the business or complete client work.
BBRS remains responsible for managing the work it agrees to provide and expects anyone handling confidential client information on BBRS's behalf to treat that information appropriately.
Independent Contractor Relationship
BBRS provides services as an independent contractor.
Nothing in the relationship between BBRS and a client creates an employment relationship, partnership, joint venture, agency relationship, or other similar legal relationship unless specifically agreed in writing.
BBRS is responsible for its own business operations and taxes.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, BBRS will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or similar damages arising from the use of BBRS services, deliverables, website, resources, or third-party platforms.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, BBRS's total liability relating to a specific service or project will not exceed the amount actually paid to BBRS for that specific service or project.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive or limit a right or remedy that cannot legally be waived or limited.
Circumstances Outside BBRS's Control
BBRS is not responsible for reasonable delays caused by circumstances outside BBRS's control, including serious illness or emergency, widespread technology or internet failures, third-party platform outages, natural disasters, government actions, or similar events.
BBRS will communicate material delays as reasonably possible.
If circumstances ultimately prevent BBRS from completing a paid project or monthly service, the applicable BBRS cancellation/refund provisions in these Terms will apply.
Planned Time Off & Emergencies
When reasonably possible, BBRS will provide active clients with advance notice of planned time off that is expected to materially affect their work.
If an unexpected emergency affects client work, BBRS will communicate as soon as reasonably possible.
BBRS is not required to disclose private personal or medical details to explain an absence or delay.
Agreement to These Terms
Before paid work begins, clients will be asked to affirmatively agree to these Terms and the applicable service scope and pricing.
Acceptance may occur through an electronic signature, checkbox, online acceptance process, written email confirmation, or another reasonable electronic method.
Electronic acceptance has the same intent as a written agreement.
Specific project terms may supplement these Terms.
If BBRS and the client mutually agree to change a project term after work begins, that change may be documented and approved in writing, including by email.
Assignment
Clients may not transfer, resell, or assign their agreement with BBRS or the services purchased under it to another person or business without BBRS's written approval.
Governing Law & Disputes
These Terms and services provided by BBRS are governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
If a dispute occurs, BBRS and the client agree to first make a good-faith effort to resolve the issue directly.
If the issue cannot be resolved directly, either party may pursue remedies available under applicable Connecticut law.
These Terms do not require mandatory arbitration or mediation unless BBRS and the client separately agree to it in writing.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect to the extent permitted by law.
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the applicable service description, scope, proposal, invoice, and/or any other written terms agreed between BBRS and the client, make up the agreement relating to the applicable services.
They replace prior discussions or understandings concerning the same subject to the extent those discussions conflict with the final written agreement.
No Waiver
If BBRS does not immediately enforce a provision of these Terms, that does not mean BBRS permanently gives up the right to enforce it later.
Updates to These Terms
BBRS may update these Terms as the business, services, technology, or legal requirements change.
The Terms in effect when a client books or purchases a service will generally govern that service unless BBRS and the client mutually agree otherwise in writing.
Updates to the website Terms do not automatically rewrite an existing client agreement.
Age Requirement
Paid BBRS services are intended for individuals who are at least 18 years old.
Contact
Questions about these Terms may be directed to: