Strategic UX for Marketplace Founders

I’m Fiona Burns - a fractional UX lead and Sharetribe expert. I help early-stage teams turn marketplace ideas into confident, build-ready product plans.
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My story

Helping startups and scaleups turn rough ideas into simple, intuitive digital products.

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I started out in UX and product design over a decade ago, working with global insurance companies to simplify complex user journeys. From there, I shifted into the startup world, where I was drawn to a faster pace, tighter feedback loops, and the scrappy energy of early-stage teams.

In 2019, I launched my own Sharetribe marketplace with my husband (a platform for photographers in London). Like many businesses, it was cut short by the pandemic, but it gave me something invaluable: the founder’s perspective. I learned how hard it is to prioritise features, make confident product decisions, and build something people actually use.

Since then, I’ve worked with 35+ marketplace businesses across the world, helping founders turn their ideas into clear, buildable products. Today, I work as a fractional UX lead and strategic partner, combining product strategy, UX expertise, and Sharetribe knowledge to help you move from vision to roadmap with clarity and confidence.

As a UX designer turned strategic partner, I’ve worked across industries collaborating with founders, product teams, and developers to bring clarity, momentum, and meaningful results.

What I bring to the table

A clear, strategic design approach rooted in evidence, not guesswork. I help fast-moving teams make confident product decisions and avoid expensive detours.

Strategic clarity

I help teams prioritise, align, and make confident product decisions.

Evidence-led thinking

My approach blends research, analytics, and practical product sense.

Startup pace

I work lean and fast with a bias toward action and iteration.

Global experience

I’ve supported clients across time zones, cultures, and funding stages.

How I work

My approach is collaborative, strategic, and flexible, built around your business goals, whether you’re launching an MVP or scaling an existing product.  

My main areas of focus are:

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Defining clear priorities
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Improving UX processes
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Reducing friction and drop-off
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Creating better onboarding and retention strategies
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Providing practical advice you can use immediately
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Aligning design decisions with product & business outcomes

Experience and highlights

With over a decade in UX, I’ve worked across startups, scaleups, and global teams, from early validation to post-launch growth.

What makes me unique:

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10+ years in UX, product strategy, and user research
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Ex-marketplace founder
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Supported over 35 marketplace founders launching on Sharetribe
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Employed by a Venture Capital firm where I dived into their portfolio companies to provide design support
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Spent one year as a Chief of Staff for a fast-growing startup with a successful exit
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Experience working with startups backed by Y Combinator, Atomico, Founders Factory, LocalGlobe and Connect
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Collaborated with teams across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia
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Led multiple full redesigns for SaaS tools and marketplaces moving to modern tech stacks

Let's work together

If you're looking for a strategic UX partner (not just a wireframe factory!) you're in the right place.