About Black Bear Marketing Solutions
BBMS was built to solve a problem: great marketing shouldn't require a big budget, a lengthy contract, or bureaucratic layers.
How BBMS Started
After 16 years in corporate marketing — leading campaigns, building brands, and managing complex strategies at a Fortune 500 scale — I saw the same pattern over and over.
Small businesses, nonprofits, and growing teams needed the same level of strategic thinking, but they couldn't afford the overhead of a full marketing department or the retainer fees of a big agency.
So, I built BBMS to bridge the gap. We bring enterprise-level marketing expertise to organizations that need it most — without the inflated budgets, endless meetings, or vague timelines.
Every engagement is hands-on, strategic, and focused on results. I work directly with every client — no junior staff, no handoffs. Just clear thinking, clean execution, and real partnership.
Meet Emily
Founder & Lead Strategist
Emily Harubin brings 16 years of Fortune 500 marketing experience to every BBMS engagement. From integrated campaign strategy and digital transformation to brand development and sponsorship leadership, she's built and executed marketing programs at enterprise scale — and now brings that expertise to small businesses, nonprofits, and growing teams.
Her approach is straightforward: listen first, strategize second, execute with precision. She believes marketing should clarify, not confuse — and that the best strategies are the ones you can actually implement.
When she's not working, Emily is usually exploring Connecticut and New England with her family and friends, catching live music, making things with her hands, or spending time in nature.
What We Believe
Clarity Over Complexity
Marketing doesn't need to be complicated. We cut through the noise and deliver strategies that are clear, actionable, and easy to understand.
Partnership Over Transactions
We're not here to just take orders. We bring ideas, ask tough questions, and help you make smart decisions — because your success matters.
Result Over Vanity Metrics
We focus on outcomes that matter — whether that's qualified leads, donor engagement, or brand clarity. If it doesn't make real impact, we don't waste our time on it.
Why "Black Bear"?
Black bears are smart, adaptable, and resourceful — they thrive in changing environments and know when to move boldly and when to hold back. That's exactly how we approach marketing: strategic, nimble, and always focused on what works.
The name also pays homage to Simsbury, Connecticut, where Black Bear Marketing Solutions is based. Known locally as 'SimsBEARy' for its thriving black bear population, the town embodies the same qualities we bring to our work: resilience, adaptability, and a deep connection to community.
What Colleagues Say
"I had the pleasure of working with Emily... where we collaborated on the marketing, campaigning, and launch of our [annual reports], as well as updates to the external website. Emily consistently brought a thoughtful and strategic approach to everything she touched, and her dedication to producing high-quality, impactful work was evident in every project... Emily [has a] genuine curiosity and drive to learn and grow. Whether it was exploring new approaches to storytelling or diving into technical aspects of a project, she always demonstrated a willingness to expand her skills... Emily is a true team player, a passionate contributor, and a joy to work with."
— Kathryn H.
Senior Director