Independent Contractor Agreement

(a) Engagement. The Company hereby engages Contractor, and Contractor accepts such engagement, to provide hair braiding services to clients who book through the Company’s digital platform (the “Platform”).

(b) Scope of Services. Contractor shall provide natural hair braiding services, including but not limited to box braids, knotless braids, cornrows, and related styles (collectively, the “Services”).

(c) Permitted Services Only. Contractor agrees that: (i) only natural hair braiding services are permitted through the Platform; and (ii) Contractor shall not perform any services requiring a cosmetology license for any service booked through the Platform unless Contractor independently holds and complies with such licensing requirements.

(d) Autonomy. Contractor retains full discretion over: (i) whether to accept or decline booking requests; (ii) scheduling and availability; and (iii) the manner, method, and means of performing the Services.

(a) Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, or agent of the Company.

(b) Contractor shall not be entitled to: (i) wages or salary; (ii) employee benefits of any kind; or (iii) workers’ compensation or unemployment insurance coverage.

(c) Contractor is solely responsible for: (i) payment of all federal, state, and local taxes; (ii) obtaining and maintaining any insurance; and (iii) compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create an employment relationship.

(a) Contractor agrees to use the Platform in accordance with Company policies and applicable terms.

(b) Contractor shall: (i) maintain accurate and current profile information; (ii) communicate with clients in a professional manner; and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to perform Services in a safe and workmanlike manner consistent with general industry standards for natural hair braiding.

(c) Contractor acknowledges that: (i) the Company may publish general guidelines, ratings systems, or client feedback mechanisms on the Platform; and (ii) such guidelines and feedback are intended to support marketplace quality and user experience, and not to control the manner or means by which Contractor performs the Services.

(d) Contractor remains solely responsible for determining: (i) how to perform the Services; (ii) the tools, techniques, and products used; and (iii) the conditions under which Services are performed, subject to applicable law.

(a) Payment Processing. All payments are processed through Stripe or another third-party payment processor.

(b) Compensation. Contractor shall receive payment for completed Services, less the applicable Platform service fee.

(c) Platform Fee. The Company shall retain a twenty-eight percent (28%) Platform service fee, which includes payment processing fees. The Company reserves the right to modify the Platform service fee from time to time upon prior notice to Contractor, and Contractor’s continued use of the Platform following such notice shall constitute acceptance of the updated fee.

(d) Adjustments. Payments may be adjusted in connection with: (i) cancellations; (ii) disputes; or (iii) refunds or chargebacks.

(e) Control of Funds. Contractor acknowledges that the Company does not directly hold or control customer funds.

(a) Standardized Pricing. Contractor acknowledges and agrees that the Platform may establish and display standardized pricing for Services in order to promote consistency, transparency, and marketplace quality standards for users of the Platform.

(b) Acceptance of Pricing Structure. Contractor remains free to decide whether to participate on the Platform and whether to accept or decline booking requests offered through the Platform at the displayed pricing rates.

(c) No Guarantee of Bookings. The Company does not guarantee any minimum number of bookings, clients, or earnings to Contractor.

(d) No Control Over Manner of Services. Nothing in this Section, including the use of standardized pricing, shall be interpreted as control by the Company over the manner, means, methods, or techniques by which Contractor performs the Services.

(a) Contractor agrees that, with respect to any client first introduced to Contractor through the Platform, Contractor shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent: (i) solicit such client to book or pay for services outside of the Platform; or (ii) accept payment from such client outside of the Platform for services that are substantially similar to those offered through the Platform.

(b) The restriction set forth in this Section shall apply: (i) during the term of this Agreement; and (ii) for a period of six (6) months following Contractor’s last interaction with such client through the Platform.

(c) This Section is intended to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests in its client relationships and goodwill and shall be interpreted narrowly to apply only to: (i) clients introduced to Contractor through the Platform; and (ii) services that are competitive with or substantially similar to those offered through the Platform.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit Contractor from: (i) operating an independent business; (ii) providing services to clients not introduced through the Platform; or (iii) engaging in lawful competition generally.

(a) This Agreement shall continue until terminated by either party.

(b) Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon written notice.

(c) The Company may suspend or terminate Contractor’s access to the Platform for violation of this Agreement.

(a) Contractor represents and warrants that Contractor: (i) complies with all applicable laws and regulations; (ii) holds any required licenses or certifications; and (iii) will not perform unauthorized or unlicensed services.

(b) The Company does not verify or guarantee Contractor’s compliance.

(a) Contractor is solely responsible for maintaining any applicable insurance, including general liability insurance.

(b) The Company does not provide insurance coverage for Contractor.

(a) Contractor is solely responsible for: (i) sanitation practices; (ii) safe use of tools and products; and (iii) compliance with health regulations.

(b) Contractor shall use reasonable efforts to: (i) identify client sensitivities or allergies; and (ii) provide services in a safe manner.

(a) Contractor acknowledges that Services may be performed at third-party locations, including client residences.

(b) Contractor assumes all risks associated with: (i) travel to and from service locations; and (ii) performing Services in environments not controlled by the Company.

(c) The Company shall not be liable for: (i) personal injury; (ii) property damage; or (iii) accidents occurring during transit or service performance.

(a) Platform Ownership. All intellectual property related to the Platform is owned by the Company.

(b) Contractor Content License. Contractor grants the Company a worldwide, royalty-free license to use any photos, videos, or content uploaded to the Platform for operational and promotional purposes.

(c) Work Product. To the extent Contractor creates any materials specifically for the Company (excluding standard service results such as hairstyles): (i) such materials shall be deemed “work made for hire”; or (ii) if not deemed a work made for hire, Contractor hereby assigns all rights to the Company.

(a) Contractor may capture before-and-after images in connection with Services.

(b) Contractor agrees to: (i) obtain any required client consent; and (ii) comply with applicable privacy laws and Platform policies.

(c) Contractor shall not use such Media except as permitted by the Company.

(a) Contractor shall not disclose any confidential information relating to the Company or its users.

(b) This obligation shall survive termination of this Agreement.

(a) Contractor shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company from any claims arising out of: (i) Contractor’s performance of Services; (ii) Contractor’s negligence or misconduct; (iii) Contractor’s violation of this Agreement or applicable law.

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

(a) Binding Arbitration. Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Platform, or the relationship between the parties shall be resolved exclusively through final and binding arbitration administered by a recognized arbitration provider (such as the American Arbitration Association) in accordance with its applicable rules. The arbitration shall take place in New York, New York, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

(b) Waiver of Jury Trial. Contractor knowingly and voluntarily waives any right to a trial by jury in any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

(c) Class Action Waiver. Contractor agrees that: (i) any disputes shall be brought solely in Contractor’s individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, or representative proceeding; and (ii) Contractor waives any right to participate in any class action, collective action, or similar proceeding.

(d) Limited Court Relief. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may seek injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to protect its intellectual property, confidential information, or other proprietary rights.

(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

(b) Severability. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect.

(c) Assignment. (i) Contractor may not assign this Agreement without prior written consent; and (ii) the Company may freely assign this Agreement.

(d) Amendments. This Agreement may be modified by the Company upon notice through the Platform.