Disclaimer:

1. Purpose of This Platform

Effective Date: July 14, 2025

Governing Entity: Rise Vertical Holdings LLC

Platform: AskTheConsultants.com

Jurisdiction: United States

This website, operated by Rise Vertical Holdings LLC and doing business as Ask The Consultants, exists solely as a digital directory and curated referral interface. It connects users with independent, third-party businesses that have successfully passed our internal vetting protocol — the Selective Compatibility Assessment (SCA) — a proprietary evaluation of leadership credibility, ethical posture, and business continuity risk.

The platform does not function as an agent, representative, broker, contractor, or legal affiliate of any business listed herein. All listed professionals and businesses are fully independent entities. While the SCA reflects our high internal standards, inclusion in the network does not constitute endorsement, warranty, or guarantee of a provider’s work product, compliance, or client outcomes.

This site is not intended for international use and is not subject to foreign jurisdiction. All use is limited to parties located in the United States, and any interpretation, legal consequence, or policy enforcement shall be governed exclusively by U.S. law, specifically the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Users accept full responsibility for:

Evaluating the fitness, qualifications, and capabilities of any listed provider;
Conducting their due diligence before engaging any business;
Entering into separate agreements with providers at their discretion and risk.

By using this platform, you acknowledge that Ask The Consultants is not a legal advisor, business guarantor, or mediator of any service outcomes. It is strictly a gatekeeper and listing facilitator — not a service provider or fiduciary in any capacity.

2. No Guarantees or Warranties

NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES — NONE.

By accessing and using AskTheConsultants.com, you acknowledge and agree that all services, listings, evaluations, platform content, and vetting-related functions are provided strictly on an “as is,” “as available,” and “with all faults” basis.

Neither Rise Vertical Holdings LLC nor Ask The Consultants makes any guarantees, promises, warranties, or representations — express, implied, statutory, or otherwise — regarding any of the following:

The competence, reliability, or ethics of any provider listed;
The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any data presented;
The future conduct or performance of a vetted provider;
Any client outcome resulting from the use of this platform;
The uninterrupted operation of the site or its services;
The compatibility of any listed provider for a particular need.

All warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed, including but not limited to:

Implied warranties of merchantability
Fitness for a particular purpose
Non-infringement
Quiet enjoyment
Outcome predictability or accuracy of information

Provider-Specific Disclaimer: The SCA (Selective Compatibility Assessment)

Participation in the Selective Compatibility Assessment (SCA) is strictly optional but required for entry into our provider network. The current SCA processing fee is $250.00 USD(Note: The SCA fee is subject to change at the sole discretion of Rise Vertical Holdings LLC, with or without prior notice. However, fee changes will not be applied retroactively to in-progress applications.), and is:

100% non-refundable, regardless of vetting outcome or eligibility;
Applied exclusively toward the internal vetting process, including psychological, operational, ethical, and business evaluations performed by Rise Vertical Holdings LLC;
Not a payment for listing, advertising, or guarantee of acceptance into the network;
Separate and distinct from any future membership dues, owed only if a provider is accepted and offered onboarding.

Providers who do not pass the SCA will:

Receive a non-public explanation summary identifying core reasons they did not meet the network’s current standards;
Be eligible to reapply after 12 months, subject to availability in their category and region.

The SCA is not a learning model or preparatory exam. It is a proprietary tool used by Ask The Consultants to evaluate leadership credibility, operational fitness, and cultural compatibility within our professional ecosystem. There is no study guide, appeal process, or scoring rubric disclosed. Evaluations are final, confidential, and not subject to negotiation.

Client-Side Clarification

Clients using this site also acknowledge:

Vetting data is proprietary and not disclosed to the public.
A provider’s presence on this site indicates prior approval but not a promise of specific performance;
It is the client’s sole responsibility to evaluate and contract directly with any provider they choose to engage.

Limit of Platform Liability

Your use of this site implies your full understanding and acceptance that:

We do not guarantee outcomes, provider fit, or satisfaction.
We are not party to any agreement formed between you and a listed company;
All decisions are made at your sole risk.

3. Scope and Limitations of Content and Platform Use

This platform — AskTheConsultants.com — operates solely as a curated directory and oversight ecosystem for vetted, independent professionals. The website does not provide direct services to users. Instead, it facilitates access to third-party providers who have passed a proprietary vetting system known as the Selective Compatibility Assessment (SCA), operated exclusively by Rise Vertical Holdings LLC.

A. No Direct Services by the Platform

Ask The Consultants is not a service provider, advisor, or representative of any listed company. The platform does not offer legal, financial, medical, psychological, or business advice of any kind. All services and consultations are delivered by independent providers listed in the directory, under their businesses, contracts, and professional discretion.

B. Content Is Informational Only

All content on this platform — including blog posts, educational articles, graphics, videos, testimonials, and provider profiles — is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice or judgment.

Any claims made by a listed provider remain their responsibility.
Users are expected to perform their due diligence before engaging a provider, including but not limited to reviewing qualifications, licensing, insurance, or relevant experience.
The presence of a provider on this platform does not constitute an endorsement, warranty, or legal guarantee of outcomes.

C. No Professional-Client Relationship with the Platform

By using this site, no formal relationship is created between you (the user) and AskTheConsultants.com or Rise Vertical Holdings LLC. The platform does not enter into any contractual, fiduciary, advisory, or agency relationship with clients or visitors.

D. Providers Are Independent Entities

Each provider operates as a separate and independent business. They are not employees, agents, or subcontractors of Rise Vertical Holdings LLC. The platform has no control over:

How services are delivered
Pricing, scope, or terms of engagement
Business practices, contracts, or policies of providers

Any agreements, payments, disputes, or legal matters are strictly between the client and the provider. The platform is not liable or accountable for outcomes.

E. Platform Oversight Does Not Equal Service Control

While Rise Vertical Holdings LLC conducts rigorous SCA vetting and maintains network-wide oversight through quarterly reviews, it does not supervise, instruct, or control any provider’s real-time operations. Our oversight relates strictly to:

Admission eligibility
Ongoing alignment with our standards
Review of client feedback and complaints
Network-wide quality benchmarks

This oversight exists to protect the brand integrity of the network — not to manage or guarantee service execution.

Section 4: Third-Party Independence, Oversight, and Limitations of Involvement

A. Legal Status of Providers

All service providers listed on AskTheConsultants.com are independent third parties who have undergone a proprietary vetting process — the Selective Compatibility Assessment (SCA) — administered by Rise Vertical Holdings LLC. These providers are not employees, agents, representatives, subsidiaries, or affiliates of Rise Vertical Holdings LLC or AskTheConsultants.com. Each provider operates under their legal entity, business policies, and operational procedures.

While the network is curated and managed for performance standards, Rise Vertical Holdings LLC does not engage in the delivery of services, pricing, contractual terms, or project execution between any provider and client. All service engagements are entered into solely between the provider and the client.

B. Role of the Platform

AskTheConsultants.com serves the role of:

Providing a credibility-first platform that limits exposure to unqualified or unverifiable providers;
Applying a strict, proprietary vetting framework before listing any provider;
Auditing providers quarterly based on client satisfaction trends, submitted complaints, service integrity, ethical behavior, and market presence;
Reserving the right to remove any provider who demonstrates patterns of misconduct, misrepresentation, performance decline, or ethical lapses.

However, the platform does not:

Participate in pricing negotiations;
Determine the scope of work, timelines, or business deliverables;
Act as a legal agent, broker, intermediary, or guarantor for either party;
Resolve contractual disputes or performance outcomes on behalf of either the client or provider.

C. Platform Limitations and Disassociation Clause

By using this website, you acknowledge and agree that:

All services are performed by independent businesses not owned or controlled by Rise Vertical Holdings LLC.
Your relationship is directly with the provider you choose, and any contract you enter into is between you and that provider alone.
AskTheConsultants.com and Rise Vertical Holdings LLC are not responsible for service quality, timing, deliverables, miscommunications, or unsatisfactory outcomes.
We are not liable for:
- Direct or indirect losses;
- Missed business opportunities;
- Project failures;
- Interpersonal or legal disputes between users and providers.

D. Provider Protections Against Client Misconduct

Providers are entitled to professional treatment and freedom from coercive or abusive behavior. By using this platform, clients expressly agree not to manipulate, intimidate, threaten, or retaliate against a provider in an attempt to secure:

Undue discounts,
Scope expansion beyond the original agreement,
Unrealistic service expectations,
Public or reputational leverage (e.g., threats of bad reviews, social media campaigns, or formal complaints without merit).

Any such conduct will be evaluated by Rise Vertical Holdings LLC. If deemed abusive, retaliatory, or manipulative, the client may be permanently banned from accessing this network, and the complaint invalidated.

All client-initiated complaints are independently reviewed for legitimacy before any action is taken against a provider.

E. Network Oversight and Integrity Enforcement

To maintain a high standard of network credibility:

A Three-Strike Policy is enforced for all providers. Repeated violations of professional, ethical, or performance standards will result in permanent removal from the platform.
Providers are required to adhere to the Network Code of Conduct, a binding document that sets behavioral and service expectations.
Client satisfaction is evaluated quarterly through:
- Patterns of unsolicited praise or concern;
- Formal complaints submitted through our complaint form.
- Indicators of responsiveness, professionalism, and ethical alignment.

This performance audit is internal and confidential. Results are not disclosed to clients, but may impact a provider’s ongoing status in the network.

F. No Preferential Placement or “Pay-for-Access”

Inclusion in the network is based solely on merit. No provider can pay for visibility, rankings, or featured placement. All listings are earned, not purchased. The SCA fee covers administrative vetting and is non-refundable, regardless of outcome.

Advertising conducted by Rise Vertical Holdings LLC — including but not limited to radio, podcast, digital, or print — is used to promote the network as a whole, not individual providers, unless agreed in advance.

G. No Guarantees for Clients or Providers

AskTheConsultants.com does not guarantee:

Business outcomes,
Perfect provider-client alignment,
Success of engagement,
That a provider will be a perfect fit.

The platform reduces risk — it does not eliminate it. Use of this site implies that you understand the distinction between credibility and control.

Section 5: Limitation of Liability

A. Absolute Limitation of Platform Responsibility

By accessing or using AskTheConsultants.com, you expressly agree that Rise Vertical Holdings LLC — and its affiliated platform, Ask The Consultants — shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, exemplary, punitive, or special damages arising out of or in connection with:

The listing, vetting, or display of any provider;
The advice, services, deliverables, or conduct of any provider;
The interaction or agreement between any client and provider;
The interpretation, application, or reliance on any information displayed on this website;
The failure of a provider to perform as expected.
The dissatisfaction, loss of opportunity, financial harm, or reputational damage allegedly caused by any provider listed on this platform;
The misinterpretation of network materials or the network’s purpose.

This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory asserted, including contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or otherwise.

B. Risk Assumption by Users

You fully understand and accept that:

All service engagements involve commercial risk, and the platform makes no promises of outcomes.
All decisions to engage a provider are made by you, the client.
Ask The Consultants is not a broker, agent, or guarantor of any outcome, deliverable, or engagement.

By using this website, you assume full responsibility and risk for any loss, damage, or dissatisfaction resulting from your interactions with providers.

C. No Damages for Network Recommendations or Omissions

The absence of a provider in a specific category or geography does not constitute negligence or omission on the part of Rise Vertical Holdings LLC. Inclusion in the network is subject to:

Rigid and evolving standards;
Industry-specific saturation limits;
Network curation and compliance history.

We are not responsible for any alleged damages resulting from the non-inclusion of a desired provider, or for any interpretation that such exclusion suggests a provider is substandard, fraudulent, or non-reputable.

D. Website Availability, Data Accuracy, and System Errors

We make no guarantee of:

Uninterrupted website functionality;
Error-free software, server uptime, or data feeds;
Technical compatibility with all devices or browsers;
The absence of cyber threats, malware, or malicious third-party intrusions.

All content, links, features, and data feeds on AskTheConsultants.com are provided on an “as-is” and “as-available” basis. We reserve the right to take the site offline for maintenance, upgrades, or security precautions without notice.

You understand and agree that temporary service interruptions, data lags, or presentation glitches do not entitle you to damages or compensation of any kind.

E. Indemnification Clause

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless:

Rise Vertical Holdings LLC;
AskTheConsultants.com;
Its directors, officers, contractors, affiliates, and agents;

From any claims, actions, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

Your use or misuse of this platform;
Any false, misleading, defamatory, or abusive conduct toward providers or network administrators;
Any contractual or service dispute with a listed provider;
Any breach of these Terms & Conditions.

This indemnification shall survive the termination of your use of this platform.

F. Limitation in Jurisdiction

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability to any party, under any circumstances, shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100), notwithstanding any broader damages claimed.

This clause is enforceable in all jurisdictions permitted under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and any provision found unenforceable shall not affect the enforceability of the rest of this agreement.

Section 6: Terms Revisions, Modifications, and Notification Policy

A. Right to Modify Without Notice

Rise Vertical Holdings LLC reserves the absolute and unilateral right to amend, revise, or replace any portion of these Terms & Conditions at any time, with or without notice, and for any reason deemed necessary for:

Legal compliance;
Operational efficiency;
Platform policy improvements;
Network performance or safety;
Business judgment.

Modifications may include, but are not limited to:

Eligibility requirements;
Network participation rules;
Disclaimers and limitation of liability clauses;
Privacy terms and data protocols;
Fee structures or evaluation models;
Definitions of client and provider responsibilities.

Your continued use of this platform constitutes your full acceptance of the most current version of these Terms & Conditions.

B. No Obligation to Notify Users Individually

We are under no obligation to notify individual clients or providers about modifications to these Terms, unless required by applicable law.

Revisions will be posted with an indicated “Last Updated” date at the top of the policy page. It is your responsibility to monitor and review these Terms periodically. We strongly encourage all users to bookmark and reference this section regularly.

Failure to review changes does not exempt any user—client, or provider from compliance.

C. Binding Nature of Updates

All updates, once posted, are considered legally binding and override all prior versions of this agreement unless otherwise specified. Any continued use of this website or affiliated materials (including intake forms, contact fields, onboarding systems, or listings) after revisions are posted constitutes your:

Legal acknowledgment of the new terms;
Agreement to be bound by such terms;
Waiver of any objection based on lack of direct notice.

D. Revisions Do Not Create Retrospective Claims

No modification to these Terms shall be construed as:

Retroactively changing the obligations of Rise Vertical Holdings LLC for past events;
A waiver of the platform’s disclaimers or limitations of liability for earlier user interactions;
A basis for any claim, refund, or reconsideration related to previous denial of membership or past user experience.

Changes apply only from the date they are posted forward. No user or provider may claim reliance on a past version to argue entitlement or platform liability.

E. Jurisdiction and Enforceability of Changes

All modifications to this agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under, and enforced by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. If any provision of the updated Terms is deemed unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, all remaining clauses shall remain in full effect.

F. Continued Use After Term Updates

By using AskTheConsultants.com after any version update, you confirm that:

You understand that the platform is evolving;
You accept full personal and professional responsibility for tracking changes.
You waive any future right to claim you were unaware of updated obligations or limitations.

Section 7: Jurisdiction, Governing Law, and Legal Venue

A. Legal Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions and all legal matters relating to the use of AskTheConsultants.com, including provider acceptance, client-provider engagement, disputes, complaints, or contractual interpretation, are governed exclusively by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States of America.

No other jurisdiction shall have authority, interpretation power, or decision-making relevance unless required by federal mandate.

B. Venue for Legal Disputes

All legal disputes, claims, causes of action, or controversies arising out of or related to:

The platform
The Selective Compatibility Assessment (SCA)
Membership denial or removal
Client dissatisfaction
Site usage
Contractual performance of any party

Must be brought solely and exclusively in the appropriate civil court located in Louisville, Kentucky (Jefferson County). Any user, provider, or client, irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction and venue of such courts and waives any defense of inconvenient forum.

C. Waiver of Class Action and Arbitration Requirements

To further protect the independence and operational stability of Rise Vertical Holdings LLC:

Users waive the right to participate in any class action lawsuit or group litigation involving the platform or its listed providers.
We are not required to engage in arbitration unless mandated by statute or as part of a court-ordered settlement.

All disputes will be handled on a case-by-case basis, respecting the individualized nature of each provider-client interaction.

D. Governing Language

These Terms & Conditions, as well as all other disclaimers and legal notices posted on AskTheConsultants.com, are written in American English, and only the English version is binding. Translations, if offered for courtesy purposes, do not hold legal force.

E. Entire Agreement and Severability

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you (as either a site visitor, client, or provider) and Rise Vertical Holdings LLC, superseding all prior agreements, oral or written.

If any provision of this policy is found unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that portion shall be struck, but all other terms shall remain valid, enforceable, and in full effect.

F. Rights Reserved

All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved by Rise Vertical Holdings LLC. This includes, but is not limited to:

The right to shut down the platform;
The right to revoke or alter service availability;
The right to interpret platform-specific contractual language as a matter of operational discretion;
The right to protect the integrity of the proprietary vetting system through nondisclosure and IP protections.

✅ Final Clause: Acknowledgment and Binding Consent

By visiting, reading, using, or otherwise interacting with AskTheConsultants.com or any affiliated platform materials (including emails, downloadable documents, intake forms, and evaluation results), you affirmatively acknowledge that:

You have read and understood the Terms.
You are bound by the laws and courts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky;
You waive rights to forum challenges, class actions, or assumed outcomes;
You will abide by the responsibility