Frequently Asked Questions

General (Brand & Mission)

1. What is The Land NorthStar?

• Land NorthStar is an education and training brand that helps small businesses and community organizations grow through practical classes, workbooks, and tools—grounded in Ubuntu values like justice, integrity, altruism, and humanity.

2. Who is The Land NorthStar for?

• Entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, women- and minority-owned businesses, and community service organizations seeking practical education, templates, and mentorship.

3. Do you offer free resources?

• Yes. We share periodic guides, checklists, and tips. You can also find value-packed insights in our classes’ previews and email newsletters.

4. How do your products support community impact?

• A portion of our efforts and content supports programs like The NorthStar Community Giving Program. As we grow, we’ll increase direct community giving and partnerships.

5. Are your materials copyrighted?

• Yes. All courses, workbooks, and templates are protected. You have a personal or business-use license per purchase; redistribution is not allowed

Shopping, Orders, and Accounts

6. Do I need an account to purchase?

• It’s not required for one-time purchases, but creating an account helps you access downloads, receipts, and updates in one place.

7. What payment methods do you accept?

• Major credit/debit cards and common digital wallets. If you need an invoice for your records, let us know at checkout.

8. Will I get an order confirmation?

• Yes, you’ll receive an email confirmation immediately after checkout and a second email with your access/download details.

9. Where can I find my invoice/receipt?

• Your order confirmation email includes a receipt. If you created an account, you could download invoices from your order history.

10. How do I update my email or billing info?

• Log in to your account, update your profile/billing, and save changes. If you purchased as a guest, contact support with your order number.

Content and Relevance

25. How do I know if a course is right for me?

• Each course page includes who it’s for, prerequisites (if any), time commitment, and outcomes. If you’re unsure, message us with your goals.

26. Are the materials up to date?

• We update content based on new trends in small business, grants, finance, and AI tools. Significant updates are announced via email.

27. Do you cover grants and funding?

• Yes. We provide practical guidance on finding opportunities, preparing strong applications, and managing budgets ethically.

28. How does Ubuntu leadership show up in your courses?

• Through case studies, reflection prompts, ethics-focused decision frameworks, and community-centered action steps.

Pricing, Discounts, and Refunds

29. Do you offer discounts for nonprofits or students?

• We periodically offer nonprofit/student pricing. Contact support with verification details for current options.

30. Will you run sales or bundles?

• Occasionally. Subscribe to our newsletter or check the store for bundle deals on related courses and templates.

31. What is your refund policy for digital products?

• Due to the nature of digital downloads, purchases are generally non-refundable. If you have an issue, contact us—we’ll make it right.

32. What is your refund policy for courses?

• If you haven’t accessed significant course content, you may be eligible for a refund within a limited window. See each course’s policy page.

33. Can I upgrade to a higher-tier package later?

• In many cases, yes. We’ll apply your original purchase as a credit within a defined timeframe.

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Digital Products (Downloads, Access, Formats)

11. How do I access digital downloads?

• After purchase, you’ll see a download link on the confirmation page and receive an email with links. Links also appear in your account.

12. What formats do you provide?

• Most templates are PDF (fillable), Google Docs, or Canva links. Spreadsheets are provided as Google Sheets or Excel.

13. Do download links expire?

• Generally, no, but we recommend downloading within 10 days. If a link expires or breaks, contact us—we’ll refresh your access.

14. Can I use the templates for my clients?

• Yes, for your direct client deliverables. You cannot resell, redistribute, or list our files as your own templates or products.

15. How many times can I download a file?

• Multiple times for your business use. If you hit a limit due to system protection, reach out and we’ll reset it.

Courses and Webinars

16. What platform do you use for courses?

• Courses are live-hosted but primarily on demand

17. What are the technical requirements?

• A stable internet connection, a computer, and a headset are recommended. Some lessons may require only a simple audio recorder and a notepad.

18. Do courses include certificates?

• Yes. Many courses include a completion certificate with your name, course hours, date, and a brief description.

19. How big are the classes?

• We aim for small cohorts of around 10 learners to maximize interaction and support.

20. Are classes live, on-demand, or both?

• Most offerings include on-demand modules plus optional live Q&A or office hours. The product page will specify the format.

21. What happens if I can’t attend live?

• Replays are typically provided within 48 hours. You’ll retain access to the recordings for the duration of your course access period.

22. Is there mentorship or support after the course?

• Yes. Select courses offer post-course mentorship or community office hours. Details are listed on the course page.

23. How long do I have access to a course?

• Access windows vary by course (e.g., 6–12 months). The exact duration is listed on the course page and on your receipt.

24. Can I transfer my course seat to someone else?

• If you haven’t started the course, we can usually transfer the seat. Contact support with your order number

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Technical Support

34. I didn’t receive my access email. What should I do?

• Check spam/promotions. Then, add our domain to your whitelist and search for your order number. If still missing, contact support with your email and order ID.

35. My download link isn’t working.

• Try a different browser or clear cache. If it still fails, send us your order number—we’ll refresh the link.

36. The video won’t play or buffers a lot.

• Lower the playback quality, switch to Chrome/Firefox, and ensure a stable connection. If issues persist, we’ll provide an alternate link.

37. The fillable PDF won’t save my entries.

• Use Adobe Acrobat or a modern PDF reader, then Save As. If needed, request the Google Doc/Sheet version.

38. Can I access content on mobile?

• Yes, most content is mobile-friendly, but we recommend a laptop/desktop for the best experience during activities and worksheets.

Customization and Licensing

39. Can you customize templates for my business?

• Yes. We offer light customization services for branding and fields. Share your logo, color palette, and specific requirements for a quote.

40. Can I share my login with my team?

• One seat equals one user. For teams, ask about multi-seat licenses or team packages.

41. Do you provide white-label options?

• Limited white-labeling may be available for organizations. Contact us with your use case and volume.

42. Can I translate your materials?

• You can translate for internal use only. Public distribution or resale of translations isn’t allowed without written permission.

Learning Outcomes and Accountability

43. What results can I expect?

• Clear frameworks, action plans, and tools to improve operations, finances, and leadership. Outcomes vary by implementation and context.

44. Do you include assignments and feedback?

• Many courses include worksheets and optional feedback. If a course includes feedback, it will be stated on the course page.

45. Do you offer certificates, CEUs, or accreditation?

• Certificates of completion are provided. Formal CEUs/accreditation may be offered in partnership in the future and will be clearly marked.

Community and Social Impact

46. Do you partner with local organizations?

• We’re exploring partnerships with groups like SBA/SCORE and community organizations. If you’d like to collaborate, reach out.

47. How does my purchase help the community?

• Your purchase helps us create more accessible education and scale programs over time.

Privacy and Security

48. How is my data handled?

• We use secure checkout and follow data minimization best practices. We don’t sell your personal information.

49. Can I request deletion of my data?

• Yes. Email support with the subject “Data Deletion Request” and include your account email and order number.

Contact and Response Times

50. How do I contact support, and how fast will you respond?

• Use the contact form or email listed on our site. We typically respond within 2–3 business days, often sooner.