diff --git a/server/utils/schemas.js b/server/utils/schemas.js
index 322bbd4..84ccf96 100644
--- a/server/utils/schemas.js
+++ b/server/utils/schemas.js
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ export const helcimCreatePlanSchema = z.object({
 export const helcimCustomerSchema = z.object({
   name: z.string().min(1).max(200),
   email: z.string().trim().toLowerCase().email(),
-  circle: z.enum(['community', 'founder', 'practitioner']).optional(),
+  circle: z.enum(['community', 'founder', 'practitioner']).optional().default('community'),
   contributionAmount: z.number().int().min(0).optional(),
   agreedToGuidelines: z.literal(true)
 })