About

  • ABOUT

    The  #1 App for discovering Sustainable ᐧ Local ᐧ Organic ᐧ Wellness ᐧ Experiences. 

    Slowe is your curated guide to easily find health-minded, purpose-driven businesses and experiences in the city or destination you’re living in or traveling to – from clean eats to spa days, fitness classes to unforgettable experiences. 


    OUR MISSION

    It is our mission at Slowe to redefine expectations around healthy, sustainable living, by providing a more convenient & enjoyable way to discover Sustainable ᐧ Local ᐧ Organic  ᐧ Wellness ᐧ Experiences.  All centralized on one platform and handpicked to meet quality standards not available anywhere else.

    While we applaud existing platforms that are working to make certain healthy choices faster and easier (such as finding restaurants without toxic seed oils or a new wellness space), Slowe’s mission focuses on a far more holistic approach – by selecting Businesses that also prioritize: 

    • Our minds, bodies & the planet

    • Clean, locally sourced ingredients

    • Sustainable, ethical practices

    • Playing an active role in our communities 

    Today, people are voting with their wallets. So the more we choose to support these purpose-driven businesses in our communities, the more demand we will create, and the more accessible they will become!


    BEHIND THE NAME

    The name Slowe was inspired by:

    • Slowe stands for: Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wellness, Experiences

    • Slow Food:  The Slow Food movement has cultivated a worldwide network of local groups and activists in more than 160 countries, united by the common goal of ensuring everyone has access to good, clean and fair food. 

    • Slow Living:  The Slow Living movement promotes a more mindful approach to all aspects of everyday life - by enjoying living rather than cruising on autopilot. Unlike common misconceptions, slow living doesn’t mean being lazy, sluggish, or uninspired. It is about adjusting how we spend our time by prioritizing what is important and brings us joy. For example:  valuing experiences > things; unplugging regularly; being more connected with our communities; prioritizing more mindful production and preparation techniques > fast food & retail. 

    • Slow Travel: A travel philosophy that emphasizes taking your time, immersing yourself in a destination, and connecting with the local culture and community.

  • WHAT WE’RE SOLVING FOR

    We know first hand how manual and time consuming it can be to research healthy, high-quality businesses. Typical search and map tools we tend to rely on are overly cluttered, lack detail and accuracy, and don’t encourage a deeper connection between conscious consumers and businesses. Not to mention, existing search platforms allow reviews from anybody versus a community of trustworthy, like-minded users.

    The Slowe Difference:  Research is our Passion 

    More and more people are seeing the wide-ranging benefits of choosing businesses with healthy & sustainable offerings – they simply don’t have the interest or time to research them. 

    This is what makes Slowe so invaluable – while generic platforms rely on crowd-sourced information and reviews from anyone, we do all of the work and quality control FOR you! Our team is passionate about finding businesses that truly align with all four Slowe quality standards - saving you hours of research time. 

    Ways we research: 

    • Proactive business outreach (via email, social, phone, in-person)

    • Inbound business requests + user or partner nominations (which then must be qualified) 

    • Research (AI tools, industry websites, review  & search tools, blogs, content creators, experts)

    • Adjacent brands (that are aligned with our mission!) 

    • Surveys 

    • Word of mouth 

    While we’re excited to leverage AI where applicable to continue scaling our services and improving the user experience, our Slowe team will always prioritize quality > quantity, real life experiences, unbiased assessments, and true human connection when it comes to choosing what businesses we feature and who we partner with.  

    The result is one centralized platform:

    1. Users can trust…for discovering the highest quality businesses in each Slowe Category. 

    2. Businesses can trust…for driving awareness, and connecting with a community of like-minded customers in a much deeper, more meaningful way.


    WE SHARE COSTCO’S ETHOS 

    Just like Slowe, Costco bets on the fact that you don’t need a wide selection, as long as you ensure your products and offerings are high quality. In fact, Costco’s entire buying team’s ethos is about doing all the research & shopping FOR its members by pre-selecting the very best few items in every category. And because Costco does all the work ahead of time, the retailers’ loyal members are OK sacrificing selection entirely. It’s all about trust, and to this day Costco remains one of the most beloved and successful retailers in history. 


    USER FEEDBACK, REVIEWS & RATINGS

    • Reviews & Ratings:  At the moment, Slowe does not offer user-facing reviews & ratings. Every Business we feature is vetted and ‘Slowe-Approved’ so our users can trust that they are highly reviewed. In fact, part of our selection process includes referencing reviews from platforms like Yelp, Google, and TripAdvisor.  Visit our Quality Standards Section to learn more.

    • Sharing Feedback:  Users are encouraged to share their experience directly from the business’ profile page. Click on the ‘Feedback’ button > select from one of four options (Business Review, General Feedback, Incorrect Information, Business Closed) > provide feedback in the space provided. For now, this feedback will only be shared with the Slowe team to ensure quality control. 

    • Community:  In the near future, we look forward to creating a dedicated space for our users to interact, build connections, and share reviews, feedback and recommendations. In the meantime, we welcome feedback and roadmap recommendations from our community to ensure the best user experience!

  • Coming soon…

FAQ

General

  • MARKETS

    Our Beta is launching in Chicago in 2025, 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
    Within 1 hour from Chicago 

    CITYWIDE
    Rotating locations, such as events

  • PRICING

    The Slowe app is currently free for users and businesses, during our Chicago Beta Program.

    In the future, as we grow and introduce exciting new offerings and functionality, we will likely transition to a paid pricing model. Details regarding timing and pricing are TBD.

    Currently, 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 


    USER PROFILE

    Users can create an account and log in with any google account. We recognize that some users may not have an email with google, so we are currently allowing users to skip the login process.  

    Providing your email is highly recommended to: 

    • Receive important updates about new features, changes to terms of service, security alerts, and other essential information. 

    • Get personalized recommendations and customized content tailored to your interests. 

    • Synchronize your data across all your devices by linking your email to your account. 

    • Contact our Slowe team easily including giving us feedback or to receive personalized help. 

  • During our Beta in the Chicago Market, we can’t wait to hear your feedback and ideas to help us continue improving the user & business experience! There are a ton of feature ideas we’re already excited to release in future phases based on demand, including… 

    • 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

    Explore is your home base for searching and exploring Slowe by Category, Topic, and/or Search Bar.

    Find and discover new businesses by: 

    • 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

    Slowe’s business profiles go beyond quick facts and generic overviews to ensure a highly curated experience. Our goal is to connect our community of like-minded users and businesses in a much deeper, more meaningful way by providing information not found anywhere else. 

    All Slowe features include the following sections and business information: 

    General Info  

    • 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.


    Curated Sections

    • 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.

  • 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

    Every business featured on Slowe is hand-picked, searchable on a map, highly curated, and shares our commitment to Slowe’s four rigorous 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

    This isn’t another platform where anyone can pay to be featured. We’re bringing back trust to local discovery.

    The Quality Criteria Chart below outlines our Slowe quality criteria per category.

  • See our Quality Criteria Chart below for a detailed overview of our quality standards across each category


    BUSINESS SELECTION CRITERIA

    We’re passionate about highlighting businesses that are actively working to evolve their practices to support healthy, sustainable living. Visit our Quality Criteria Chart below for a detailed view into what we look for across each Slowe Standard, depending on the type of business category and offerings. 

    When selecting a Business to feature on Slowe, we will consider a variety of strict quality criteria, including: 

    1. Do they fall into at least 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

    All searchable on an intuitive map, with detailed profiles that go beyond the basics to tell you exactly what makes each business special - from their backstory to sustainable practices. 

    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 

    • Free of toxic seed oils & ingredients 

    • 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 local businesses do not have the platform, in-house expertise, budget, time, and/or resources to actively market & drive awareness to their exact target customer. Not to mention existing search platforms allow reviews from anybody - versus a community of trustworthy, like-minded individuals. 

    Slowe connects conscious consumers with exceptional businesses that share the same quality standards and value local, sustainable, wellness-inspired living. The result is one centralized platform your business can trust for driving awareness and growth, and connecting with your exact target customer in a much deeper, more meaningful way. 

    It’s Slowe’s mission to help local businesses build: 

    • Awareness – be discovered by like-minded customers searching for healthy options 

    • Connection – share your story and mission to create a deeper connection with your customers  

    • Trust – by even being featured on Slowe,  our users will know you’re aligned with their values 

    • Growth – attract new and loyal customers who are seeking out businesses like yours  

    MARKET RESEARCH

    Chicago’s wellness and sustainability scene is booming in 2025 – from urban saunas and wellness tech, to community-driven fitness and organic cafes. 

    The global wellness market has grown to nearly $6 trillion, with conscious consumers demanding more transparency and higher standards from the businesses they support. Chicago is at the forefront of this movement - but until now there hasn’t been a centralized way to discover them. Enter Slowe. 

    2025 key findings: 

    • Chicago has approximately 2.7 million residents, with Millennials and Gen Z representing over 40% of the city’s population. These demographics show significantly higher interest in wellness, sustainability, and local businesses than older generations, and are willing to pay premium prices for these offerings.

    • Slowe has a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of approximately $22.76 billion in Chicago across all potential categories:  Wellness Market, Organic Food, Local Food, Wellness, Tourism, and Wellness Services. 

    • Slowe’s Serviceable Addressable Market (SAM), consumers who are actively interested in wellness and sustainability, is approx. 675,000. 

    We’ve identified five key psychographic segments within Slowe’s target market:  

    • Wellness Enthusiasts – highly invested in personal health, wellbeing, fitness and mindfulness products and experiences; willingness to pay for quality wellness offerings 

    • Sustainability Champions – environmental impact is a primary purchase driver; strong preference for eco-friendly businesses; seeks transparency in sourcing and production 

    • Conscious Foodies – prioritizes food quality and sourcing; seeks out unique culinary experiences; values farm-to-table, organic, and locally-sourced offerings; shares food experiences on social media 

    • Community-Oriented Consumers – values local business relationships; prefers to support establishments with community ties; interested in neighborhood events and gatherings 

    • Experience Seekers – prioritizes  experiences > material goods; active on social media; influenced by trend-setters and peer recommendations; values aesthetic and share-worthy experiences

  • Slowe has released an exclusive app Beta Program as we continue to onboard exceptional Chicago-based businesses and gather feedback from a passionate subset of early adopters.

    During this closed beta phase, your Business Profile will be only visible to this initial community of users helping us refine the platform before our public launch.

    Once your business is live on our beta app, we’ll continue to share updates on our progress and notify you before we go live on the App Store and Google Play!

    To get featured:

    1. Visit our How It Works section below to learn more.

    2. Visit our For Businesses section of the main page and click the Feature My Business button to start the process.

  • HOW IT WORKS

    If your Chicago-based business is committed to Slowe’s values and quality standards, we want to feature you (for free during our beta)! Visit the For Businesses section of our main page and click the ‘Feature My Business’ button to start the process.

    Businesses will be asked to complete two (2) forms in order for us to ensure they’re a fit for Slowe, and to gather all the necessary information to complete their business profile.

    NOTE: If you prefer to collaborate with our Slowe Team on creating your feature (via phone or in person), or would like us to create most of it on your behalf, we are happy to accommodate this as well. We’ll just need your help to fill in any gaps!

    STEPS

    Step 1:   Business Feature Request (Form 1)

    • Business Information

    • Category & Offerings

    • Quality Standards 


    Step 2:  Slowe Team Review Process 

    After receiving the Form 1 submission, we will review, qualify, and follow up via email within 3 business days with a link to Form 2. Or, we’ll send a note with follow up questions and/or feedback.


    Step 3:  Business Feature Collaboration (Form 2)

    • Your Story (an overview of your business and backstory)

    • The Slowe Standards (how your business aligns with the Slowe Quality Standards)

    • Business Photos (upload 5-15 visually appealing photos) 


    Step 4:  Slowe Team Prepares Feature  

    Once your profile is complete, our team will put all the pieces together to finalize your feature. We may help polish the content to make sure it’s app ready, and will be happy to collaborate with you as needed before going live on Slowe.   


    Step 5:  Feature Live on Slowe

    At any point you can contact our Slowe team at hello@liveslowe.com to collaborate on your feature, request changes, or to have your feature removed from the app. 

  • 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 

    In the future, as we grow and introduce exciting new offerings and functionality, we will likely transition to a paid pricing model. Details regarding timing and pricing are TBD.

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