AikiDojo of Hickory

Privacy Policy

How AikiDojo of Hickory collects, uses and protects your information, including our text messaging program.

Effective September 17, 2026

AikiDojo of Hickory LLC ("AikiDojo of Hickory," "we," "us," or "our") operates the martial arts school at 2364 Springs Rd NE, Hickory, NC 28601 and the website aikidohickory.com (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and the choices you have, including how our text messaging program works.

By using the Site, our website chat, our online booking calendars, or our contact forms, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

1. Information we collect

Information you give us

We collect the information you provide when you send us a message through the chat widget on our Site, submit a contact or free trial form, book a class or appointment through our online calendar, enroll as a student, or contact us by phone, text, or email. This may include:

Your first and last name, mobile phone number, and email address
The name and age of a student you are enrolling, such as your child
The program you are interested in, your preferred class date and time, and any notes you include
The content of messages you send us
Billing and membership details if you become a member (payment card data is handled by our payment processor, not stored by us)

Information collected automatically

When you visit the Site, we and our service providers may automatically collect technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, pages viewed, referring pages, and the date and time of your visit, using cookies and similar technologies.

2. How we use your information

Respond to your questions submitted through our chat widget, forms, phone, text, or email
Schedule and confirm free trial classes, classes, and appointments, and send reminders
Notify you about schedule changes, holiday closures, and weather cancellations
Manage student enrollment, memberships, and billing
Send promotional messages about programs, events, and offers, only where you have agreed to receive them
Improve our Site and services, and keep them secure
Comply with legal obligations

3. Text messaging (SMS) and mobile information

If you provide your mobile number and check the consent box on our chat widget, contact form, free trial form, or booking calendar, you agree to receive text messages from AikiDojo of Hickory at the number provided. Depending on what you consented to, these messages may include replies to your inquiries, booking confirmations, class and appointment reminders, schedule updates, account notices, and, if you separately opted in, promotional offers and event announcements.

Message frequency varies.
Message and data rates may apply.
Reply STOP at any time to opt out. You will receive one final message confirming your opt-out, and no further texts will be sent unless you opt in again.
Reply HELP for help, or contact us at (704) 775-3401 or [email protected].
Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of purchase, enrollment, or booking.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Information sharing with subcontractors in support services, such as customer service, is permitted. All other categories of information sharing described in this policy exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

4. How we share information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share information only as follows:

Service providers that help us operate our business, such as our customer relationship management and scheduling platform, website hosting, email delivery, and payment processing. These providers may use your information only to perform services for us. As stated in Section 3, mobile opt-in data and consent are never shared with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
Legal requirements. When required by law, subpoena, or legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of AikiDojo of Hickory, our students, or others.
Business transfers. In connection with a sale, merger, or transfer of our business, subject to this policy's protections. Text messaging opt-in data and consent are excluded and will not be transferred or shared.

5. Cookies and analytics

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Site, remember your preferences, power the chat widget and booking calendar, and understand how visitors use the Site. You can set your browser to refuse or delete cookies, though some features, such as chat and online booking, may not work properly without them.

6. Children's privacy

We teach students as young as three, but our Site, chat, forms, and text messaging are intended for use by adults, including parents and guardians enrolling a child. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13. Information about a minor student is provided by the student's parent or guardian. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us personal information without parental consent, contact us and we will delete it.

7. Data retention and security

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described here, including maintaining student records and meeting legal, tax, and accounting requirements. We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information, but no method of transmission or storage is completely secure.

8. Your choices and rights

Text messages: reply STOP to any message to opt out.
Email: use the unsubscribe link in any marketing email.
Access, correction, or deletion: contact us to request a copy of, correction to, or deletion of your personal information, subject to any records we must keep by law.

9. Third-party links

The Site may link to third-party websites such as Google Maps, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their policies.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes take effect when posted on this page with a new effective date.

11. Contact us

AikiDojo of Hickory LLC
2364 Springs Rd NE
Hickory, NC 28601
Phone or text: (704) 775-3401
Email: [email protected]