Hi, I’m Karen Black - website designer, strategist and creative techie

karen hubfizz in archway walled garden

My unique blend of technical knowledge and creative skill combined with patience and marketing expertise, means you get a lot more than just a website! You get:

  • A website that looks beautiful and is aligned with your business, because I bring your brand aesthetic and personality to life on your website.
  • A website that is easy to use and that is functional, so that it attracts and converts your ideal customers.
  • Recommendations and ongoing support to help you drive more traffic to your site, get more enquires and sales and deal with any technology issues.

My experience and skills

I have worked in marketing and design for over 20 years, firstly contracting to large companies in London, followed by 7 years in the travel industry (for a tour operator, airline then tourism board). In 2009 I started creating websites and doing some freelance graphic design, then co-founded a creative agency in 2010 where I focused on websites, design and digital marketing before setting up HubFizz in 2014.

Whilst my expertise is website design and making the most of your website, I also have gathered a number of other skills over the years including social media, digital strategy and graphic design as well as doing webinars, talks and workshops.

Get in touch with me to discuss your next project.

laptop computer skill and design

What I believe in

Humanity

I believe in social justice and wellbeing and creating a positive social impact. I believe in compassion and kindness to people, animals and planet. I believe in diversity and fair opportunities for all. I love working with those that embody positive change and make a difference to their customers, community and the planet.

Sustainability

We all play a part in sustainability for the future of our planet and I like to support those trying to make a difference and who share eco-conscious values. As well as offering Eco Hosting, I can also offer webinars on ways to grow your business and make it greener and reduce your digital footprint. Outside of work I am passionate about growing veg and often share updates in my newsletters.

Collaboration

I believe in collaboration and inclusion and asking for help instead of struggling to operate in a silo. I partner with many other small businesses with similar values so I can offer a wider range of services including a long time collaboration with Lynne Stainthorpe – BigFIzz.

Being resourceful & supportive

I believe there is nearly always a solution to any challenge that arises. I am patient and look at things both creatively and strategically and I want those I work with to feel looked after and to succeed.

Ethics & integrity

I believe in working with honesty and integrity. I believe in not taking advantage of others and that it is important to value each other and be respectful and do business in an ethical way.

Supporting the community

Pro bono websites for positive impact community projects and businesses

norwich community plant hub

Once a year, design a free website for a local community project or similar that has a great social and environmental impact. Often these are small CICs or similar that don’t have the funds, or where any funds or money they get could be used on something else instead.

Some of the projects i have done:

The Eco Business Show – Ideas to Grow Your Business and Make it Greener

Eco Biz Show Cover image

The Eco Biz Show ran from May 2020 to June 2023 and features over 100 episodes. It showcases interviews with business owners, ecopreneurs, changemakers and thought leaders who share their expertise, insights and stories to provide you with tips and inspiration to grow your business and make it greener. We covered various topics including:

  • Business development, website strategies, marketing and branding
  • Tech tools and apps that save you time and make life easier
  • Wellbeing strategies to improve work-life balance, self care and take a more holistic approach to business
  • Ways to make your business greener, more sustainable and resilient
more about the Eco Biz Show

Eco Meetup Norwich

eco meetup norwich 300x300 1

I co-founded the Eco Meetup Norwich as a free networking event to bring together a community of eco-conscious business owners, environmental organisations and changemakers. A place where we can share ideas, collaborate and support each other to help grow our businesses and make a difference to our local communities and environment. To find out more and join the community, join our Facebook Group below.

join the Eco Meetup Norwich Facebook Group

More about me

karen with vegetables in permaculture home garden
  • I am a member of the Marketing For Hippies membership and cannot recommend it and Tad’s work highly enough – find out more here.
  • I grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa and I have lived in the UK for over 25 years in London, Buckinghamshire, Norwich and Norfolk.
  • I love permaculture (I have done a Permaculture Design Certificate); growing food; green technologies; craft beer; festivals; dancing; travelling; bees; plant-based food; nature; catching up with friends and family.
  • I have just started Paddleboarding and hope to do more of that!
  • I founded, produced and co-hosted the weekly #NorwichHour Show on Future Radio (a local community radio station based in Norwich) which ran for 3 years from June 2015 to July 2018. The show was an interactive hour of live music, chat, interviews, local business and news running in tandem with the #NorwichHour chat on Twitter – one of the first of its kind in the UK!
  • Some of the jobs I’ve had include working as a receptionist, serving in a London pub, selling typewriter ribbons to businesses and working as a desk top publisher for a printer.

My Permaculture Growing

I am passionate about growing veg and companion planting and recently got into doing microgreens and fermentation. I often share updates in my newsletter.

Creating our garden

Rewilding our garden

River community garden

Sign up for ideas to grow your business and make it greener

Featuring website tips and strategies, latest projects and upcoming promotions and offers.
Outside of work, I like to share about life on the river aboard my narrowboat and my passion for veg growing.

I only send emails on occasions when I want to share something valuable or interesting or about a pressing update that may concern your website. It is unlikely to be more than once a month. However please feel free to unsubscribe when you feel the need. I hope you find them useful, interesting and of value.