Your CT Website Design Experts
Our Recipe for Your Success:
Strategy, Communication and Follow Through.
Hey there! Welcome to North Star Design Studio, where strategy, design, and technology come together to help businesses shine online.
Our name isn’t just a brand—it’s a philosophy. The North Star, Polaris, is actually part of a three-star system. Two of those stars orbit each other, constantly exchanging energy and matter, and that shared force is what allows the star to shine so brightly.
That idea perfectly reflects how we work.
At North Star, we don’t think of the people we work with as “clients.” We collaborate with like-minded business owners who bring their expertise while we bring ours. Through that exchange of ideas, strategy, and creativity, we help each other grow stronger and shine brighter together.
And the third star in the Polaris system? That represents the communities around us—the people watching what we build, the businesses we support, and the impact we create together.
So while we may not list individual bios here anymore, every project is powered by a collective of creatives, strategists, and problem-solvers who love turning big ideas into results-driven digital experiences.
Around here it’s not just about building beautiful websites—it’s about creating platforms that attract the right audience, convert opportunity into growth, and help businesses shine as brightly as they’re meant to.
Welcome to the North Star way.
Tara is a dedicated community advocate who uses her professional expertise to strengthen local businesses and organizations.
As the founder of North Star Design Studio, she blends her passion for service with her skills in web development, small business growth, and nonprofit support. Tara volunteers as the webmaster and program chair for the Network of Executive Women, serves as the volunteer webmaster for the Downtown Milford Business Association, and holds a leadership role in the Elm City BNI chapter. She is also actively involved in the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and volunteers at The Kids Closet at the Margaret Egan Center in Milford.
Her deep commitment to collaboration and inclusion has earned her recognition as Milford CT’s Business Person of the Year from the Alignable community for three consecutive years. Tara is a regular speaker and workshop presenter for local organizations, sharing her insights on topics like Website Basics, Branding, and Nonprofit Marketing.
While her heart is rooted in community, Tara’s professional journey spans more than 25 years, serving clients from local startups to Fortune 100 companies. She has contributed to national campaigns for MLB, Subaru, and GM, bringing big-brand strategy to the service of grassroots success stories.
- WBDC (Women’s Business Development Council) Lecturer
- BNI® New Haven, CT Leadership Team
- Network of Executive Women Web Master
- Greater Milford Chamber of Commerce Member
- New England Non-Profit Directory Consultant
- StartSmart Business Council Board member
- Walnut Beach Arts & Business Association Member
Noteworthy Speaking Engagements
Embark on a journey of knowledge and innovation as the North Star Team shares insights and expertise at these local events.
The StartSmart Entrepreneurial Workshop and Business Expo is hosted by the StartSmart Business Council, whose mission is simple: to help business owners succeed by connecting them with accomplished local mentors who offer practical, targeted guidance across all areas of business—law, finance, marketing, operations, and more.
Event Details:
📅 Thursday, February 19, 2026
⏰ 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 West River Hall
37 Orlando Street, West Haven, CT
Attendees Purchase Tickets Here
Mentoring is offered through scheduled sessions tailored to each attendee’s needs.
- The initial consultation is complimentary, provided by the Milford Regional Chamber
- There is no obligation to hire or engage any mentor after meeting with them
- The goal is clarity, direction, and access to the right resources
North Star Design Studio will be participating in this mentor group, offering short consultations on websites, SEO, and online marketing fundamentals.
If you’re running a business, thinking about starting one, or know someone preparing to hang up their shingle for the first time, this is a valuable resource. Please feel free to share with fellow Connecticut business owners and colleagues.
Business Advisory takes place in the 8th week of GPS (Guide to Plan for Success), WBDC’s 9-week training program for entrepreneurs. The program is intended to serve as a comprehensive business planning workshop. During the course, we cover marketing, pricing and profitability, sales and distribution, financial reporting and forecasting, and other relevant topics. Our goal is that students will walk away with a complete business plan draft by the end of the 9 weeks.
These fast-paced, engaging sessions connect our clients with industry professionals like you for one-on-one speed networking. Entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, and Advisors offer quick-hit feedback, insights, and guidance. Each conversation lasts 10 minutes, and we rotate participants to maximize connections — all hosted on Zoom.
From 12:00pm-2:00pm.
Business Advisory takes place in the 8th week of GPS (Guide to Plan for Success), WBDC’s 9-week training program for entrepreneurs. The program is intended to serve as a comprehensive business planning workshop. During the course, we cover marketing, pricing and profitability, sales and distribution, financial reporting and forecasting, and other relevant topics. Our goal is that students will walk away with a complete business plan draft by the end of the 9 weeks.
These fast-paced, engaging sessions connect our clients with industry professionals like you for one-on-one speed networking. Entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, and Advisors offer quick-hit feedback, insights, and guidance. Each conversation lasts 10 minutes, and we rotate participants to maximize connections — all hosted on Zoom.
August 21st from 12:00pm-2:00pm.
These fast-paced, engaging sessions connect our clients with industry professionals like you for one-on-one speed networking. Entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, and Advisors offer quick-hit feedback, insights, and guidance. Each conversation lasts 10 minutes, and we rotate participants to maximize connections — all hosted on Zoom.
On Monday, August 11 at 11 AM, we hosted an empowering online seminar in partnership with the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC): “Polish Your Presence: Managing Your Google Business Page Like a Pro.” This session was designed specifically for women business owners who already have a Google Business Profile and wanted to maximize its impact. Participants learned how to stay visible in search results with easy monthly updates, request and respond to reviews like a pro, optimize off-page SEO, and build trust with Google and their audience. They left with a practical maintenance checklist and the confidence to take control of their online presence—without spending a dime.
Course Description: Struggling to manage your business while also marketing it? In this course, participants learned how to apply the key aspects of marketing known as the 4Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion), ensuring a holistic approach to marketing planning and strategy development. By examining these elements upfront, they gained a deep understanding of their product or service, target market, competitive landscape, and promotional opportunities, enabling them to lay out a plan for the next quarter or upcoming year.
On April 23rd at 12 pm, we hosted an inspiring webinar sponsored by the Women’s Business Development Council: “ElevateHER Branding – Strategies for Women on the Rise.” This installment of the “Marketing Made Simple” series was tailored for startup female entrepreneurs ready to embark on a branding journey. Participants explored key facets of brand development, from defining their unique identity to seamless implementation and the art of evolving a brand while scaling. It was an opportunity to gain insights and strategies to propel their brands to new heights.
I delivered my semi-annual Networking Presentation at Elm City BNI (SCSU), sharing the unique story and offerings of North Star Design Studio. The room was packed with 50+ local business owners eager to network and grow their businesses.
Wondering if your website was doing its job? I recently shared insights, sponsored by the Downtown Milford Business Association, on how to maximize your website’s potential. Together, we explored strategies to level up your online presence and attract those dream clients.
WHERE: Milford Public Library
Sponsored by: Total Mortgage, 185 Plains Rd 3rd Floor, Milford, CT 06461, USA
