About

  • Slowe is a curated, map-based app for discovering local businesses committed to health, sustainability, and community.

    Like Google and Yelp, Slowe helps you find businesses nearby, then browse and filter across four categories: Food & Drink, Grocery, Wellness, and Experiences. But unlike generic and AI-powered search platforms, Slowe prioritizes quality over quantity, so you can trust that every business featured on the app was personally researched and vetted across our four quality standards:

    1. Health: Good for our mind, body & spirit

    2. Sustainability: Good for people, animals & our planet

    3. Community: Good for workers, partners & our communities

    4. Atmosphere: Good aesthetic, vibe & service

    Many of the details that matter most to health-conscious consumers, from ingredient sourcing and clean products to sustainability practices and community impact, are often difficult and time-consuming to find online. AI and technology can synthesize what's already been published, but can't uncover what was never documented in the first place. Those granular details live in conversations, behind the scenes, and inside small businesses that rarely have the time or resources to tell that story publicly.

    Slowe was built to close that gap. Our research brings those details into one place, making it easier to discover and support businesses that align with your values. No ads. No algorithms. No crowdsourced reviews.

    Launching in Chicago in 2026, with more cities to come.

  • Why We Built Slowe

    Finding truly healthy, sustainable local businesses often requires hours of research most people don't have time for.

    Generic search platforms are crowded, inconsistent, and driven by reviews that don't account for values, expertise, or context. The granular details health-conscious people care about are rarely captured in a search filter or a business profile. And if that information isn't published online, even AI can't surface it.

    The Slowe Difference

    Being featured on Slowe is based entirely on whether a business meets our standards, not on paid placement or popularity. Every business is researched, vetted, and intentionally selected before it ever appears on the app. And each profile goes beyond the basics — capturing the sourcing, practices, and details that matter to health-conscious consumers but rarely make it onto a business's own website.

    Our process blends technology with human judgment, prioritizing quality, alignment, and long-term trust over scale.

    Ways we research:

    • Direct outreach with business owners and teams

    • Requests and nominations from our community

    • Deep review of sourcing, practices, and reputation across trusted industry sources

    • Technology and AI to surface insights, with final decisions made by people

    • Alignment with adjacent brands and partners who share our standards

    • Ongoing word-of-mouth and community insight

    The Result

    One centralized platform users can trust for discovering the highest quality businesses in each Slowe category, and businesses can trust for reaching their target customers in a deeper, more meaningful way.

  • Hi, I'm Aly, Slowe’s founder.

    I’ve spent my career in tech, marketing, and sales, from early-stage startups to Fortune 500s. For the last decade, I’ve helped major brands shape their AI and digital transformation strategies. I’ve been lucky to work at the heart of emerging technology, but my real passion has always been health, wellness, and creating incredible experiences.

    A few years ago, I made it official: I became a Certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. What started as a personal deep dive into wellness became the foundation for something bigger: combining my tech expertise with real health knowledge to build a solution I couldn't find anywhere else.

    I’m also a world-traveling, health-obsessed foodie. I’m that friend who creates color-coded itineraries with every café, studio, and hidden gem mapped out.

    I built Slowe because I was tired of the guesswork.

    For years, I found myself constantly asking: Is this place using quality ingredients? Does this business align with my values? Where can I find local, sustainable spots without spending hours researching?

    I wanted one place to discover the most health-minded, purpose-driven businesses — so I built it.

    Slowe is for anyone who cares about how they spend their time and money, whether you're local or just visiting. It's for people who want to support businesses doing things differently.

    Starting in Chicago, early 2026. This is just the beginning. 🌱

FAQ

General

  • MARKETS

    Our Beta is launching in Chicago in 2026, but this is just the beginning. Based on demand, we plan to expand Slowe to more cities very soon. 

    NEIGHBORHOODS

    Currently, Chicago includes the following neighborhoods: 

    DOWNTOWN
    River North 
    Old Town / Near North 
    Gold Coast / Streeterville 
    West Loop / Fulton Market 
    Loop / South Loop 

    WEST SIDE 
    Wicker Park / Bucktown 
    Logan Square / Avondale 
    West Town (Humboldt Park, Ukrainian Village, River West)

    NORTH SIDE
    Lincoln Park 
    Lakeview 
    Roscoe Village / North Center
    Lincoln Square / Ravenswood 
    Andersonville / Uptown 

    SOUTH SIDE 
    Hyde Park / South Side 
    Pilsen / Little Italy / Bridgeport 
    South Side 

    NEAR CHICAGO
    Destinations worth a drive

    CITYWIDE
    Rotating locations, such as events

  • PRICING

    Slowe is currently free during our Chicago beta. As we introduce new features, we may transition to a paid model— timing and pricing TBD.

    Our current priorities: business acquisition, user acquisition, and gathering feedback to improve the experience.

    USER PROFILE

    You can create an account using any Google email, though it's optional. We recommend it to receive updates, get personalized recommendations, sync data across devices, and easily contact our team.

  • We’re just getting started. Here’s what’s coming:

    • Establish a true community where users can connect with each other directly and share reviews, experiences and recommendations. 

    • The ability to 🖤 and bookmark businesses to easily build itineraries for neighborhood guides or travel planning.   

    • Leverage AI & machine learning to make personalized recommendations based on optional user questionnaires and/or places loved, bookmarked, or visited. 

    • Improve our app search function by expanding search capabilities and options.

    • Improve every step in the Business review, onboarding, and feature collaboration processes by leveraging more AI, insights & automation. 

    • Travel is our passion, so we look forward to adding a ‘Destination Spotlights’ Category to feature select ‘Slowe’ approved experiences from around the world. 

    • Expand our Slowe Life blog by partnering with contributing industry experts, content creators, and fellow businesses & partners to bring unique, high value lifestyle content to our community – all in one place. 

    • Partner with companies that align with Slowe’s values, to offer our app to their employees that live in Slowe markets or travel for work. 

    • Expand our local and brand partnerships to bring even more value to our community. 

    • Offer a rewards program based on user loyalty and spend with their favorite Slowe businesses. 

    • And much more! 

  • Email us at hello@liveslowe.com if you have feedback, an idea, or an issue to report. We would also love to hear from you about partnership or career opportunities, or if there’s a business you’d like to see featured on Slowe! 

App Navigation

  • EXPLORE

    Your home base for discovering businesses by category, topic, or search.

    • Category:  Food & Drink, Grocery, Wellness, Experiences

    • New to Slowe:  Businesses recently added to the App 

    • Recently Updated:  Businesses with recent updates to their feature 

    • Slowe Life:  Our Blog section will offer a variety of lifestyle and educational content including contributing experts and content creators, neighborhood guides, and industry-related topics 

    Ways to use Explore: 

    • Use the Search bar to search by business name, neighborhood, category, sub-category.  

    • Scroll right and left to view all businesses in that respective category or topic section.

    • To view a business’ full profile, click into their quick-view.

    • To see all businesses in a specific category on the map, you can either click ‘view all’ from one of the four category buttons on the Explore page, or go directly to Maps, open up the swipeable drawer and select a category here. 


    MAP

    Click into the expandable map to search for businesses in your area. Each of the four categories (Food & Drink, Grocery, Wellness, Experiences) has an icon to make it easy to search and filter by Category.  


    SEARCH

    Currently, the search bar allows you to keyword search by:  Business Name, Neighborhood, Category, Sub-Category.


    FILTER

    Currently, users can filter by:  Category, Sub-Category, Area/Neighborhood, Offerings, Price Point.


    APP MENU 

    The App’s Menu provides more information about Slowe including:  About and FAQs, Our Quality Standards & Criteria Checklists, Our Categories, For Businesses, Contact Us, Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions. 

  • BUSINESS PROFILE CONTENT

    Our business profiles go beyond basic facts to create meaningful connections between you and the businesses you love.

    All Slowe features include the following sections and business information: 

    • Quick Facts:  Photos, Neighborhood, Category, Sub-Category, $-$$$$, Offerings, Location & Map

    • Links:  Business Website, Instagram, and Google Hours 

    • Sharing:  Share the Slowe app and specific businesses with friends! 

    • Feedback:  Click on the business  ‘Feedback’ button to share your feedback or experience directly from the business’ profile. Currently feedback will only be shared with the Slowe team to ensure quality control. In the near future, we look forward to offering  a Slowe Community for users to interact and share their reviews, feedback and recommendations.

    • About: A brief overview about the business so users can quickly get to know what they’re about. 

    • The Slowe Standards: Users can click on each of the four tabs – Atmosphere, Health, Sustainability, and Community – to learn more about how that business aligns with each quality standard. Each tab includes a description + at-a-glance checklist so our users can make choices based on what they value most. 

    • At-A-Glance Checklists: The checklists show each feature a business offers. If a feature is missing from view, either they don’t offer it, it is not applicable, or we’re awaiting confirmation. Businesses also have the option to add additional context via the dropdown, if there is something specific they want to callout.

    • The Backstory: The Backstory section gets personal by giving each business a platform to share their own unique stories and backgrounds with the Slowe community – such as their mission, why they started their business, and their shared commitment to local, sustainable,  wellness-focused living. 

    NOTE: If you see “Coming soon…” on a section, this just means we’re working to gather more information from the business.

  • How are Business price ranges determined?

    We use a simple dollar sign system to help you understand relative pricing within each category. Price ranges account for the business model, typical pricing, quality, and overall positioning.

    Food & Drink: Based on typical per-person spending for a meal or visit

    • $ Budget-friendly ($10-15 per person)

    • $$ Moderate ($15-30 per person)

    • $$$ Upscale ($30-50 per person)

    • $$$$ Fine dining ($50+ per person)

    Grocery: Based on typical basket pricing and product selection

    • $ Budget-friendly options

    • $$ Standard grocery pricing

    • $$$ Specialty and organic focus

    • $$$$ Premium specialty markets

    Experiences: Based on typical per-person or per-experience cost

    • $ Accessible experiences (free-$25)

    • $$ Moderate pricing ($25-75)

    • $$$ Premium experiences ($75-150)

    • $$$$ Luxury experiences and retreats ($150+)

    Fitness: Based on typical monthly membership or drop-in class rates

    • $ Budget-friendly options

    • $$ Moderate pricing

    • $$$ Premium boutique studios

    • $$$$ Luxury clubs and comprehensive memberships

    Wellness: Based on typical per-session pricing or membership costs

    • $ Accessible services

    • $$ Standard professional services

    • $$$ Specialty and premium services

    • $$$$ Luxury wellness experiences and comprehensive programs

    Beauty: Based on typical per-service pricing

    • $ Basic services

    • $$ Mid-tier professional services

    • $$$ Upscale salons and medspas

    • $$$$ Luxury spas and advanced treatments

    Our goal is to set clear expectations so you can find businesses that match both your values and your budget.

  • Our Slowe Life content will be a go-to resource for learning about today’s hottest wellness trends and topics, like creator Q&As and neighborhood wellness guides, the benefits of eating organically, or the future of sustainable travel. 

    Guest industry experts, like-minded brands, and content creators will frequently contribute to our content via blog articles, spotlight interviews, destination guides, social posts, and more. 

Our Quality Standards

  • OUR QUALITY STANDARDS

    This isn’t a pay-to-play platform. Every business is hand-picked and meets our four Quality Standards:  

    1. Health:  Good for our mind, body & spirit 

    2. Sustainability:  Good for people, animals & our planet  

    3. Community:  Good for workers, partners & our communities 

    4. Atmosphere:  Good aesthetic, vibe & service

  • BUSINESS SELECTION CRITERIA

    When selecting businesses, we consider:

    1. Whether they fall into one of Slowe’s 4 Business Categories 

    2. Are they located in our Service Area 

    3. If, how, and to what extent do they align with our four Quality Standards

    4. Are they highly reviewed on Yelp, Google, and TripAdvisor (if relevant) 

    5. Our own personal experiences 


    BUSINESS FEATURE REQUESTS

    If a Business is interested in being featured on Slowe, they will be asked to complete 2 forms with a series of questions to 1) confirm they are a fit for Slowe, and 2) collect all the necessary information and content to craft their feature. 

    MAKE CHOICES BASED ON WHAT YOU VALUE MOST

    We understand that each of our users prioritize quality standards and health requirements differently, and therefore should be empowered to choose Businesses and Experiences based on what they value most.

    It is for this reason we include at-a-glance checklists on every business profile, across all 4 Slowe Standards. The below chart is used as a guide when gathering a business’ information, but on the feature itself  a “No” or “N/A” selection will be hidden from view. This way users can search, filter and make choices that match their unique values and requirements.

    Is this feature offered?

    • Yes = Whenever possible, this is a top priority for our Business

    • Somewhat = Offered occasionally or for certain items, services, or substitutions may be available 

    • No = We do not offer this

    • N/A = This does not apply to our Business

    • ☑ = Checked if “yes”, unchecked if “no”

    • Comments = If applicable, businesses may provide more detail about their selections  

  • All Categories

    • Design Forward (modern space, visually appealing, stylish decor elements, instagram worthy)

    • Sparkling Clean (clean & sanitary exterior and interior; well maintained and fully stocked)

    • Customer Experience (a great vibe and exceptional customer service)

  • Allergy & Diet Friendly

    • Gluten-Free Friendly (variety of options)

    • Vegan Friendly (variety of options)

    Produce

    • Certified Organic Produce (certified organic produce options when available)

    • Seasonal Produce (focus on seasonal and local produce)

    Dairy & Alternatives

    • Clean Dairy (high-quality dairy free from antibiotics, hormones, additives)

    • Clean Dairy Alternatives (high quality dairy alternatives free from artificial additives)

    Cooking Oils

    • Avoids Seed Oils - Cooking (opts for olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, butter, tallow)

    • Avoids Seed Oils - Ingredients & Preparation (opts for olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, butter, tallow)

    Grains & Bread

    • Quality Grains (nutritious, housemade or minimally processed grains)

    • Artisan Bread (nutritious, housemade or locally sourced bread)

    Protein

    • Sustainable Seafood (sustainably sourced, such as wild-caught fish)

    • Sustainable Meat (sustainably & humanely raised meat, such as grass-fed)

    • Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (sustainably & humanely raised poultry, such as organic, pasture-raised)

    • Clean Plant Protein (nutritious and minimally processed, such as house-made)

    Beverages

    • Natural Wine (natural, organic, and/or biodynamic wine selections)

    • Clean Beverages (quality selections without additives - alcohol, non-alcoholic, specialty)

    Coffee & Tea

    • Sustainably Sourced Coffee (Fair Trade, organic, locally sourced)

    • Sustainably Sourced Tea (Fair Trade, organic, ethically sourced)

  • Food & Drink, Grocery, Experiences

    • Eco-Friendly Packaging (compostable, biodegradable, reusable, plastic-free)

    • Recycling Program (recycling program, recycling station for guests)

    • Composting Program (food composting)

    • Sources from Local Farms (prioritizes sourcing meat/produce/dairy from local farms)

    • Locally Sourced Products (prioritizes partnering with local suppliers/artisans/purveyors)

    • Certified B Corporation

    Wellness

    • Sustainable Beauty/Wellness/Retail (safe & sustainable products for services, props, and/or retail)

    • Non-Toxic Cleaning Products/Methods (safe & sustainable cleaning products, reusable towels)

    • Sustainable Practices (recycling practices for the team & guests, filtered water station)

  • Ownership

    • Locally Owned (locally owned & operated, with the authority to make business decisions)

    • Female Owned (at least 51% owned and managed by one or more women)

    • Minority Owned (at least 51% owned and managed by one or more minority individuals)

    Community Impact

    • Community Engagement (actively participates in community events, fundraisers, and/or local initiatives and partnerships)

    • Employee Wellbeing (provides fair wages, health benefits, opportunities for professional development)

    • Giving Back (frequently supports one or more social causes such as donating to local charities or organizations, participates in community service)

    • Inclusivity and Accessibility (proactively supports diversity, inclusion and accessibility, where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and supported)

Our Categories

  • Currently, Slowe is centered around four Business Categories: 

    1. Food & Drink:  Restaurant ᐧ Bar ᐧ Cafe ᐧ Juice Bar ᐧ Dessert/Bakery 

    2. Grocery:  Local Grocery/Specialty Market ᐧ Natural Wine Shop

    3. Wellness:  Wellness ᐧ Beauty ᐧ Fitness

    4. Experiences:  Food & Drink ᐧ Farmers Markets ᐧ Unique Experiences ᐧ Volunteer ᐧ Stay

    The Category Chart below defines our categories and sub-categories.

  • FOOD & DRINK / GROCERY

    The Food & Drink and Grocery Categories are the foundation of Slowe, and what inspired us to create this platform in the first place. With the rise of mass food production, we are seeing the effects of soil depletion, less nutrients yet more toxic chemicals and pesticides in our foods, animal cruelty, environmental impacts, and brands that are hiding toxic ingredients – like fillers, additives, seed oils, GMOs, and dyes. And unfortunately, this extends to many of the so-called “healthy” brick & mortar dining and grocery options in our cities. 

    Fortunately, there are many Food & Drink businesses that agree with Slowe’s Food is Medicine philosophy, and are on a mission to prioritize clean, nutritious, sustainably sourced food & products that are good for us, the people that grow it, and for the planet. These are the Businesses we are excited to highlight! 

    What we look for: 

    • Local & organic 

    • Clean, unprocessed 

    • Partners with local farms & makers

    • Sustainably & ethically sourced


    WELLNESS

    What distinguishes Wellness from the other categories is that technically any Wellness, Beauty, or Fitness business – from massage to medspa to pilates – inherently represent Health. Whether it be the health of your mind, body, or skin. It is for this reason that we follow even stricter guidelines when determining which businesses we would be excited to recommend on our platform. 

    What we look for: 

    • Local:  Local, independent businesses over national chains or franchises. 

    • Community:  Community engagement, impact, accessibility, inclusion. 

    • Look & Feel:  Visually appealing and design-forward. 

    • Sparkling Clean:  Bonus points to those using safe, sustainable cleaning products or methods! 


    EXPERIENCES

    We believe ‘Slowe Living’ is about connection and prioritizing experiences that bring us joy. That is why the Experiences Category is so important to us – particularly as we’ve noticed some of the coolest experiences often fall under the radar. So from farm-to-table dinners to wellness events to volunteering on an urban farm – we’re excited to feature a wide variety of unique, local experiences all created to transform our minds, bodies, and the future of our planet. 

    What we look for: 

    • Health & Wellness:  Experiences that support physical and mental well-being.

    • Sustainability:  Businesses committed to operating their experiences in a sustainable way. 

    • Community:  Experiences that create joy & connection, and prioritize accessibility, inclusivity, and making a positive impact on our communities.  

    • Local:  We will always prioritize local, independent businesses over national chains or franchises.  

  • Restaurant

    • Full Service (full service, sit-down restaurant)

    • Fast Casual (counter service with optional seating and to-go orders)

    Cafe

    • Bites & Wifi (relaxed vibe with light bites & drinks, laptop friendly)

    • Coffee & Tea (primarily serves coffee, tea & pastries)

    Bar

    • Natural Wine Bar/Shop (specializes in natural, organic, biodynamic wines)

    • Bar (bar or cocktail lounge with clean options)

    Juice Bar

    • Juices, Smoothies, Acai Bowls

    Dessert / Bakery

    • Bakery (bread, baked goods, cakes, muffins, pastries)

    • Sweets (desserts, ice cream, frozen yogurt, donuts)

    Other

    • Other, Retail, Specialty

  • Local Grocery / Specialty Market

    • Local Grocery (fresh & packaged grocery items)

    • Specialty Market (local and specialty food & retail products)

    Natural Wine Shop / Bar

    • Clean Wine/Alcohol (specializes in natural, organic, biodynamic wines)

  • Food & Drink

    • Cooking Classes (health-focused, using organic/local ingredients)

    • Farm-to-Table (farm-to-table experiences)

    • Farmers Markets (local farmers markets or vendors)

    • Wine (organic, biodynamic wine experiences or tastings)

    Unique Experiences

    • Tours & Retreats (health, wellness, and/or fitness focused)

    • Farm Experiences (regenerative farm tours, animal experiences)

    • Local Events (health, wellness, and/or fitness focused)

    • To-Do (other; unique activities or experiences)

    Volunteer

    • Volunteer (environment, sustainability, health & wellness categories)

    Stay

    • Local Accommodations (wellness focused, healthy amenities, B&Bs)

  • Wellness

    • Advanced Wellness Tech (cryotherapy, light therapy, IVs, oxygen)

    • Alternative Wellness (acupuncture, breathwork, reiki, soundbaths)

    • Sauna/Cold Plunge (contrast therapy)

    • Massage/Bodywork (massage therapy, lymphatic)

    • Functional Medicine/Health Coaching

    Beauty

    • Spa/MedSpa (facials, massage, microneedling, laser, beauty treatments)

    • Hair (cut, color, styling, blowouts)

    • Nails

    • Waxing/Tinting

    • Spray Tan

    Fitness

    • Cardio/Sculpt

    • Cycling

    • Health Club/Gym

    • Pilates

    • Private Training

    • Strength/Conditioning

    • Yoga

    Other

    • Events, Workshops, Training (including instructor training)

    • Other, Retail, Specialty

For Businesses

  • WHY SLOWE

    Most discovery platforms show everything nearby or prioritize whoever pays for ads. Reviews come from anyone. Rankings favor algorithmic engagement over actual quality.

    Slowe is different. We're an independent curator, not a marketplace. We exclusively feature businesses that meet our quality standards for health, sustainability, community, and atmosphere — then connect them with customers who are intentionally seeking out these values.

    What this means for your business:

    Qualified Discovery
    Reach customers actively searching for health-minded, values-aligned businesses — not just anyone nearby.

    Editorial Credibility
    Your inclusion signals to our community that you meet third-party standards, not that you paid for visibility.

    Meaningful Connection
    Share your story and mission with customers who genuinely care about the work you're doing behind the scenes.

    Loyal Growth
    Attract customers who become regulars because they share your values, not just convenience.

    Slowe isn't pay-to-play. We curate independently and feature businesses for free because our loyalty is to our users, not advertisers.

  • We're currently curating founding businesses for our Winter 2026 launch.

    Two ways to get featured:

    We reach out to you
    If your business aligns with our quality standards, we'll contact you directly with a draft profile to review. We handle the research, you confirm the details.

    You submit your business
    Think you're a fit? Complete our brief submission form to be considered for inclusion. Our team reviews all submissions and will be in touch within 3 business days.

    Submit Your Business: https://feature.liveslowe.com/feature

    What to expect:

    • Quick 5-minute initial form covering business info and quality standards

    • Team review for alignment with Slowe standards (health, sustainability, community, atmosphere)

    • If approved, a second form to finalize your story and photos

    • Featured on our website, Instagram, and app at launch — completely free

    Questions? Email us at hello@liveslowe.com.

  • Getting featured on Slowe is straightforward. We've designed a simple two-step process that respects your time while ensuring every business meets our quality standards.

    Step 1: Initial Submission (5 minutes)
    Share your business details, category, and how you align with our quality standards for health, sustainability, community, and atmosphere.

    Step 2: Team Review (1-3 business days)
    We review your submission and follow up with either approval to complete your profile or feedback on fit.

    Step 3: Profile Completion (5-10 minutes)
    If approved, tell your story, elaborate on your Slowe Standards alignment, and upload 5-15 photos of your space.

    Step 4: We Finalize Your Feature
    Our team polishes your profile and prepares it for launch. We'll share a preview for your feedback before going live.

    Step 5: Launch Winter 2026
    Your business goes live on the app when we launch. You can request updates or changes anytime by emailing hello@liveslowe.com.

    Prefer a hands-off approach? We're happy to handle most of the content creation for you. Just provide the essentials and we'll fill in the gaps.

  • We are currently featuring businesses for free. 

    During the Chicago Beta Program, our top priorities are: 

    • Business acquisition - continue to actively onboard and feature new businesses 

    • User acquisition - drive email signups so we can notify as many users as possible to download and enjoy the app once we launch on the App Store and Google Play  

    • Business and user feedback - gather feedback from passionate early adopters to continue improving the user and business experience 

Terms & Conditions

  • Terms of Service for Slowe

    Effective Date: July 12, 2025

    Welcome to Slowe! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Slowe mobile application (the "App"), our website, and any related services (collectively, the "Services"). By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

    1. Our Mission and Services

    Slowe is the #1 App for discovering Sustainable ᐧ Local ᐧ Organic ᐧ Wellness ᐧ Experiences. It is our mission to redefine expectations around healthy, sustainable living by providing a more convenient and enjoyable way to find health-focused, purpose-driven local businesses and experiences.

    Every business featured on Slowe is hand-picked and must meet our four rigorous Quality Standards: Health, Sustainability, Community, and Atmosphere. Our Services include:

    • A curated and searchable directory of businesses across our core categories: Food & Drink, Grocery, Wellness, and Experiences.

    • An intuitive map to explore businesses in your city or travel destination.

    • Detailed business profiles that go beyond the basics to tell you what makes each business special.

    2. User Accounts and Pricing

    User Accounts: You can use the Slowe app without creating an account. However, you have the option to create an account by logging in with a Google account. While providing your email is optional, we highly recommend it to receive important updates, get personalized recommendations, sync your data across devices, and easily contact our team. You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account.

    User Pricing: The Slowe app is currently free for users to download and use. We may introduce a subscription-based pricing model in the future. We will provide you with advance notice of any changes to our pricing structure.

    3. Business Profiles and Pricing

    Business Profile: If your Chicago-based business is committed to Slowe’s values and quality standards, you can apply to be featured for free during our beta period. To start the process, visit the "For Businesses" section on our website and click the "Get Featured" button. All applications are manually reviewed by the Slowe team to ensure they meet our standards.

    Business Pricing: During our Chicago beta program, featuring a business is free. As we expand into new markets and release new features, we anticipate introducing a pricing structure for businesses. This model is yet to be determined.

    4. Your Use of the Services

    Acceptable Use: You agree to use our Services only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the App for your personal, non-commercial use.

    Prohibited Conduct: You agree not to:

    • Use the Services in any way that violates any applicable law or regulation.

    • Engage in any conduct that restricts or inhibits anyone's use or enjoyment of the Services, or which, as determined by us, may harm Slowe or users of the Services.

    • Use any automated device, process, or means to access the Services for any purpose, including monitoring or copying any of the material on the Services.

    • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to, interfere with, damage, or disrupt any parts of the Services, the server on which the Services are stored, or any server, computer, or database connected to the Services.

    5. Content and Intellectual Property

    All content included in or made available through any Slowe Service, such as text, graphics, logos, icons, images, and software, is the property of Slowe or its content suppliers and protected by United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, or in any way exploit any of the content, in whole or in part, without our prior written permission.

    6. User Feedback and Community Interaction

    Feedback: We encourage you to share your experience with us. You can provide feedback directly from a business’s profile page within the App. This feedback is currently for internal use by the Slowe team to ensure quality control and is not publicly visible.

    Reviews & Ratings: At the moment, Slowe does not offer public-facing user reviews or ratings. Every business we feature is "Slowe-Approved" based on our internal review process, which includes referencing reviews on other platforms.

    Community: We look forward to creating a dedicated space for our users to interact and share recommendations in the future.

    7. Data and Privacy

    Your privacy is paramount. Our Privacy Policy details how we collect, use, and protect your information.

    • User Data: User sign-up is optional. If you choose to create an account, your information will be handled as described in our Privacy Policy.

    • Business Data: When a business applies to be featured, we collect contact information (name, email, phone number) to manage the multi-step application and verification process. This information is stored securely in our Railway-hosted MongoDB servers and will never be shared with anyone outside of the Slowe team.

    • Location Data: The App may ask to use your device's location to help you find nearby businesses. This feature is optional, and this location information is neither shared nor stored.

    8. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

    The Services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. Slowe makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the Services or the information, content, or materials included therein.

    While we hand-pick and vet every business, Slowe does not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of the offerings of any business listed. Any transaction or interaction you have with a business discovered through Slowe is solely between you and that business.

    To the fullest extent permissible by law, Slowe disclaims all warranties and will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of any Slowe Service.

    9. Changes to These Terms

    We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Terms within the App and on our website. Your continued use of the Services after any such change constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

    10. Governing Law

    These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of, or related to them, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Illinois without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule.

    11. Contact Us

    If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us through the feedback feature in the App or via our website.

  • Privacy Policy for Slowe

    Last Updated: July 12, 2025

    Welcome to Slowe! We are committed to helping you discover the best Sustainable, Local, Organic, and Wellness experiences. Our mission is to build a platform that our users and business partners can trust. That trust starts with being transparent about how we handle your information.

    This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and share it, and the choices you have about your information when you use our mobile application ("App"), our website (the "Site"), and any related services (collectively, the "Services").

    Please read this policy carefully. By using Slowe's Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

    1. Who We Are

    Slowe is a curated guide for discovering health-focused, purpose-driven local businesses and experiences. Every business featured on our platform is hand-picked and vetted against our four Quality Standards: Health, Sustainability, Community, and Atmosphere.

    2. Information We Collect

    We collect information in a few different ways to provide and improve our Services. The type of information we collect depends on how you interact with Slowe.

    A. Information You Provide to Us Voluntarily

    • Account Information: You can browse Slowe without creating an account. If you choose to create an account using a Google account, we will collect your name and email address as provided by Google. Creating an account is recommended to sync your data across devices and receive important updates, but it is not required to use the App.

    • Business Application Information: If you are a business owner or representative who wishes to be featured on Slowe, you may submit an application through our "Get Featured" form. This form collects information about your business, as well as contact information such as your name, email address, and phone number. This information is used solely for the vetting process and to communicate with you about your application and listing.

    • Feedback and Communications: When you use the "Feedback" feature on a business profile page or contact us directly, we collect the information you provide in your message, which may include your thoughts on a business, suggestions for the App, or reports of incorrect information. If you are logged in, this feedback may be associated with your account.

    • Newsletter Subscription: If you sign up for our email newsletter through our Squarespace-hosted website, we collect your email address to send you updates, news, and information about Slowe.

    B. Information We Collect Automatically

    • Location Information: Our App features a map to help you discover businesses near you. To use this feature, the App will ask for permission to access your device's location. This is completely optional. If you grant permission, we use this information in real-time to center the map on your location. We do not store, share, or track your location history. You can enable or disable location services at any time through your device's settings.

    • Usage and Technical Data: As a beta application, we need to understand how our Services are performing. We may automatically collect limited, anonymous technical information to help us improve the App, diagnose problems, and ensure security. This may include your device type, operating system version, crash reports, and general usage patterns (e.g., which features are used most often). This data is aggregated and does not personally identify you.

    3. How We Use Your Information

    We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

    • To Provide and Maintain Our Services: To operate the App, display business profiles, and allow you to discover experiences on the map.

    • To Process Business Applications: To review, vet, and communicate with businesses that apply to be featured on Slowe. We use the contact information provided to notify applicants of their status and request any additional information needed.

    • To Improve and Personalize Our Services: To understand what our users and businesses value, fix bugs, and develop new features. If you create an account, we may use your information to provide personalized recommendations in the future.

    • To Communicate With You: To send you important service announcements, security alerts, updates to our terms, and, if you opt-in, our newsletter and marketing communications.

    • To Ensure Quality and Trust: To review user and business feedback to maintain the high quality of our listings and the integrity of our platform.

    4. How We Share Your Information

    Your trust is paramount. We are not in the business of selling your personal data. We only share information in the following limited circumstances:

    • With Service Providers: We work with third-party companies that help us operate, provide, and improve our Services. These providers have access to your information only to perform tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose. Our key service providers include:

      • Railway and MongoDB: For securely hosting our application and storing business application data.

      • Google: For providing optional user authentication services.

      • Squarespace: For hosting our public-facing website and managing newsletter sign-ups.

    • For Legal Reasons: We may disclose your information if we believe it's reasonably necessary to comply with a law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request; to protect the safety of any person; to address fraud, security, or technical issues; or to protect Slowe's rights or property.

    • Business Transfers: If Slowe is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred as a business asset. We will provide notice before your personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

    We do not share your personal contact information (name, email, phone number) with the businesses featured on our platform. Feedback submitted through the App is currently for internal use by the Slowe team only.

    5. Your Rights and Choices

    You have control over your information.

    • Anonymous Use: You can use the Slowe app to discover businesses entirely anonymously without creating an account.

    • Location Services: You can control the App's access to your location data through your mobile device's settings menu.

    • Communications: You can opt-out of receiving our newsletter at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in the footer of the email.

    • Accessing and Updating Your Information: If you have created an account, you may be able to review and update your information within the App's settings in the future. For now, you can contact us to request changes.

    • Account Deletion: You can request the deletion of your Slowe account by contacting us at [Your Support Email Address]. Please note that we may need to retain certain information for legal or legitimate business purposes, such as resolving disputes or enforcing our terms.

    6. Data Security

    We are committed to protecting your information. We use administrative, technical, and physical security measures to help protect your personal information. We store business application data in a secure MongoDB database hosted on Railway. However, please be aware that despite our efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and no method of data transmission can be guaranteed against any interception or other type of misuse.

    7. Children's Privacy

    Our Services are not intended for or directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information from our files as soon as possible.

    8. A Note on our Beta Status

    Slowe is currently in a beta phase. This means our Services are still evolving. We may add new features, such as user reviews and community spaces, which could change our data practices. We will update this Privacy Policy to reflect any changes and will notify our users of significant updates.

    9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

    We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top. For significant changes, we may also provide a more prominent notice (such as an in-app notification or an email to registered users).

    10. Contact Us

    If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please do not hesitate to contact us at: hello@liveslowe.com

  • By submitting your business for inclusion on Slowe, you grant Slowe Inc. a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use photographs of your business (whether uploaded by you, sent separately, or sourced by our team) for the following purposes:

    • Display in the Slowe mobile application

    • Slowe website (liveslowe.com)

    • Slowe social media accounts (including but not limited to @liveslowe on Instagram)

    • Marketing, promotional, and advertising materials

    • Press releases and media coverage

    Your Representations:
    You confirm that you either (a) own the copyright to these photographs, or (b) have obtained explicit permission from the copyright holder to grant Slowe these usage rights. You agree to indemnify and hold Slowe harmless from any claims arising from your submission of photographs you do not have the right to license.

    Attribution:
    Slowe will credit your business name when sharing photos on social media platforms where feasible.

    Removal:
    You may request removal of specific photos at any time by contacting hello@liveslowe.com. Slowe will make commercially reasonable efforts to remove photos from active use within 14 days, though photos may remain in archived materials or cached content.