Terms & Conditions for Initiators
DNA Publishing CC trading as DNA-Business
(also referred to as DNA) exists to make the
right connections — with care, context,
and intention.
These Terms and Conditions are in place to keep
the way we work honest, transparent, and
professional. We ask that you read them properly.
They matter.
These Terms and Conditions are in place on the
date of signing.
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1. USE YOUR BEST JUDGEMENT.
2. BE KIND.
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DEFINITIONS
3. DNA / DNA-Business refers to DNA Publishing CC
trading as DNA-Business, the business through
which Alan operates as Strategic Connector and
through which Candice operates as Storyteller.
4. Alan refers to the founder of DNA Publishing CC
trading as DNA-Business, and the person who
performs all Strategic Connector functions
on behalf of DNA.
5. Candice refers to the Storyteller at
DNA-Business. Candice works independently
from Alan's connecting process and has her
own separate engagement process for
storytelling work.
6. Strategic Connector refers to the role Alan
performs — which includes listening carefully,
providing an outside perspective, helping you
think through what you actually need, assessing
who you should speak to and why, and facilitating
a considered introduction. You are not just
paying for an introduction. You are paying for
the thinking, judgment, and care that makes
the introduction worth making.
7. Initiator refers to any person or business
entity that approaches DNA-Business seeking
a connection, introduction, collaboration,
partnership, co-founder match, investor
introduction, expert referral, or any other
form of strategic connection. If you are
reading this document, this refers to you.
8. Party refers to any person or business entity
that DNA-Business introduces to the Initiator.
This includes but is not limited to: service
providers, experts, consultants, investors,
collaborators, co-founders, and other founders.
9. Engagement Fee refers to the once-off,
non-refundable fee paid by the Initiator to
DNA-Business before any introduction is made.
The amount is confirmed in writing before the
engagement begins. This fee is non-refundable
because the work — the thinking, assessment,
sourcing, and facilitation — is done regardless
of the outcome of any introduction.
10. Connection refers to a curated, considered
introduction made by Alan between the Initiator
and a Party, based on Alan's assessment of
alignment, relevance, and potential value to
both sides. DNA makes no introduction without
real reason to do so.
11. Engagement Agreement refers to the short,
per-introduction document signed by both the
Initiator and the Party before any introduction
takes place. A new Engagement Agreement is
required for each introduction.
12. Confidential Information means all information
designated as confidential by either party,
or that ought reasonably to be considered
confidential, including but not limited to
business affairs, strategies, trade secrets,
intellectual property, personnel, and
commercially sensitive information.
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WHO WE ARE
13. DNA-Business is built around two distinct
but complementary offerings.
STRATEGIC CONNECTING — Alan
Alan works with founders, business owners,
decision-makers, investors, and collaborators
who are at a point where the right connection
could create real movement. This is not
networking. It is considered, curated
introduction-making — preceded by real
listening and honest thinking about what
you actually need.
STORYTELLING — Candice
Candice helps founders, businesses, and teams
find and tell their real story. Not polished
marketing copy. The genuine human narrative
behind what you are building — and why it
matters. Candice's storytelling services
include founder storytelling, customer
storytelling, and employee, partner, and
collaborator storytelling. Her process is
simple by design: one 30-minute conversation,
and she handles the rest.
These two offerings operate independently.
Each has its own engagement process.
These Terms and Conditions cover Alan's
connecting work. Candice's storytelling
work is governed by her own separate
process and agreement.
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HOW THE CONNECTING WORKS
14. The Engagement Fee covers Alan's assessment
of what you actually need, the sourcing of
a suitable Party, and the facilitation of
up to two curated introductions per
engagement. The fee is confirmed in writing
before any work begins and is payable before
any introduction is made.
15. DNA does not guarantee that any business
opportunity will result from an introduction.
Alan's role is to make the right introduction
with the right context. What happens after
that is between you and the Party.
16. DNA makes no representations regarding the
skills, qualifications, or performance of
any Party. It is your responsibility to
evaluate the Party and to enter into your
own agreements with them directly. DNA is
not a party to any agreement between you
and the Party and holds no responsibility
for the outcome of any business concluded
between you.
17. No introduction will proceed without a
signed Engagement Agreement in place.
This protects you, the Party, and DNA.
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YOUR OBLIGATIONS
18. Honour the process. DNA invests real time
and thought into every introduction. We ask
that you show up to introductions prepared,
on time, and with genuine intent.
19. No direct deals without DNA. If you conclude
any business with a Party introduced to you
by DNA — directly or indirectly, now or in
the future — the Connection Fee remains
applicable to the Party under the terms of
their agreement with DNA. This applies even
if you were previously in contact with the
Party before the DNA introduction.
20. Confidentiality. You agree to treat all
Confidential Information obtained through
your engagement with DNA as strictly
confidential. You may not disclose or use
it for any purpose other than the specific
introduction for which it was shared.
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LEGAL
21. This agreement is subject to the laws of
the Republic of South Africa. The parties
consent to the jurisdiction of the
Magistrates Court, without prejudice to
either party's right to approach a court
of superior jurisdiction.
22. Should either party breach this agreement,
the aggrieved party shall give the defaulting
party 10 (ten) business days written notice
to remedy the breach. If the breach is not
remedied, the aggrieved party may terminate
this agreement and/or claim specific
performance, without prejudice to any right
to claim damages.
23. Any dispute shall first be referred to
negotiation between the parties. Failing
resolution, the dispute shall be referred
to mediation, and failing that, to
arbitration under the rules of the
Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa
(AFSA), in Cape Town.
24. This agreement shall in no way constitute
a labour broking arrangement, partnership,
or agent-principal relationship.
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FINALLY
25. We are human. We will always act in good
faith and do our best for you. We ask the
same in return.
26. When in doubt, refer to rule 2.
DNA Publishing CC trading as DNA-Business
undertakes to be dedicated, transparent, and
genuinely invested in making connections
that matter.
Thank you for trusting us with that.
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