Ares Group Business Consulting

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of CG La Imprenta Digital, a digital printing company authorized by SENIAT that offers digital invoicing solutions in Venezuela. We help businesses and entrepreneurs modernize and legalize their tax management with secure and efficient platforms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Ares Group Business Consulting?

We needed to design and develop a comprehensive end-to-end digital invoicing and fiscal document management platform. Our primary objective was to build a secure, scalable, and reliable software solution capable of automating the entire electronic invoicing lifecycle while complying with Venezuela's fiscal regulations and SENIAT requirements.The project had several key objectives:Ultimately, our goal was to transform CG Imprenta Digital into a technology-driven electronic invoicing service provider, with a complete software ecosystem capable of supporting our business growth and our customers' evolving financial and regulatory requirements.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Ares Group Business Consulting was responsible for the end-to-end design, development, and implementation of CG Imprenta Digital's electronic invoicing and fiscal document management platform. The engagement covered the entire software development lifecycle, from requirements analysis and system architecture to application development, API engineering, fiscal business logic, integrations, testing, and deployment.The main scope of work and deliverables included:Overall, Ares Group Business Consulting delivered a complete, integrated financial technology solution rather than a standalone application or website. The resulting platform combines customer-facing software, fiscal compliance functionality, financial automation, and enterprise connectivity into a scalable digital invoicing ecosystem that supports CG Imprenta Digital's commercial operations and future growth.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two teammates from Ares Group Business Consulting.

How did you come to work with Ares Group Business Consulting?

We found Ares Group Business Consulting through an online search. We chose them because they were close to our geographic location, their pricing fit our budget, and they offered good value for the cost.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $50,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Ares Group Business Consulting in January 2024, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The most significant outcome of our collaboration with Ares Group Business Consulting was the successful development and launch of a fully operational end-to-end digital invoicing platform that became the technological foundation of CG Imprenta Digital's business.The project delivered several tangible results:Beyond the technical deliverables, the platform provided us with a foundation for customer acquisition, recurring service revenue, and future business expansion.The most important measure of success was that Ares Group Business Consulting transformed our business requirements into a complete, commercially operational software platform capable of supporting our core business activities.Since launching the platform, we've seen significant improvements in how we manage electronic invoicing, fiscal document processing, and enterprise integrations. One of the most important achievements has been consolidating our core operations into a single, fully integrated platform, replacing the need for separate manual processes and disconnected systems.The platform has introduced several measurable operational capabilities:Although we haven't established verified before-and-after percentages for processing time, error reduction, or revenue growth, the successful launch of the platform and the automation of these critical workflows represent substantial operational improvements.Most importantly, Ares Group Business Consulting has delivered the technology infrastructure that enables us to establish and operate CG Imprenta Digital as a scalable, commercially viable electronic invoicing service.In the future, we plan to implement a more structured performance monitoring and reporting framework to quantify the long-term impact of the platform developed by Ares Group Business Consulting. Our focus will be on tracking several key performance indicators (KPIs):As the business continues to grow, these metrics will help us establish performance benchmarks, identify optimization opportunities, and measure the platform's contribution to operational efficiency and commercial expansion.Our objective is to move beyond measuring successful software delivery and begin quantifying the actual business value generated by the technology, including cost savings, processing efficiency, customer growth, and scalability. The foundation delivered by Ares Group Business Consulting provides the technological capabilities necessary to support this continuous improvement strategy.

How did Ares Group Business Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

Ares Group Business Consulting has demonstrated strong project management throughout the entire development process. Their approach has been structured, transparent, and focused on delivering a complex software solution that meets our technical, operational, and regulatory requirements.The team has organized the project into clearly defined development phases, established milestones, and maintained consistent communication regarding progress, technical challenges, and upcoming deliverables.One of Ares Group Business Consulting's greatest strengths has been their ability to manage the complexity of the project, particularly the integration of fiscal regulations, electronic invoicing workflows, financial calculations, and enterprise APIs, while ensuring that all components work together seamlessly.The team has been responsive to our feedback, flexible when business requirements evolve, and proactive in identifying technical challenges and proposing practical solutions.

What did you find most impressive or unique about them?

What has impressed us most about Ares Group Business Consulting is their ability to combine deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of our business objectives and the complexities of financial and fiscal software.Rather than simply developing features based on our requirements, Ares Group Business Consulting has approached the project as a complete business solution. They understand that we're not just building an invoicing application; we're creating the technological foundation for an entire digital invoicing service.Their ability to handle the entire development lifecycle has been particularly valuable. From system architecture and database design to complex tax calculations, electronic document processing, API development, and enterprise integrations, Ares Group Business Consulting has brought all the components together into one cohesive platform.Another standout quality has been their problem-solving approach. The team has been able to translate complex Venezuelan fiscal requirements into practical, automated workflows while keeping the platform flexible enough to integrate with different ERP and accounting systems.What truly differentiates Ares Group Business Consulting is their combination of software engineering expertise, business consulting, and end-to-end ownership. We haven't had to coordinate multiple development vendors or manage disconnected technical teams. Ares Group Business Consulting has taken responsibility for delivering a complete solution aligned with our long-term business goals.Their ability to think beyond individual technical requirements and understand the bigger business picture has made them feel like a strategic technology partner rather than just a software development provider.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Overall, we're very satisfied with Ares Group Business Consulting's work and the final product. There haven't been any major concerns regarding the quality of the solution or their technical capabilities.If we were to identify an area for improvement, it would be providing more frequent demonstrations of completed modules and involving our internal team earlier in certain testing and integration phases. Given the complexity of the platform, particularly its fiscal compliance requirements and enterprise integrations, this could have helped streamline feedback and accelerate internal adoption.Additionally, introducing some of the technical documentation and end-user training materials earlier in the development process could have made the transition to production even smoother.These are relatively minor process improvements rather than significant shortcomings. Ares Group Business Consulting has demonstrated strong technical expertise, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to delivering a complete solution that aligns with our business objectives. We would confidently consider working with them again on future projects.

BACKGROUND

I am the Director of Playse 14 Foundation

A Non-profit founded by World Cup champion Blaise Matuidi, our foundation is rooted in the belief that soccer is a universal language of opportunity. Having grown up in modest circumstances in the Paris region, Blaise knows firsthand that accessible local programs are the lifeblood of the sport. Upon relocating to Miami and founding ONE FC, he recognized a critical gap in the American system where many gifted players are sidelined by rising costs. Playse 14 Foundation was created to bridge that gap, offering elite-level coaching, academic support, and mentorship to underserved communities across Florida.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

• setting up all the tech stack ai powered.
• zeffy configuration for donations
• CRM

SOLUTION

Referral

• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

2-5 Employees

Website Redesign & Optimization Redesigned and launched a fully responsive website optimized for user experience, mobile accessibility, and clear call-to-action pathways for supporters and beneficiaries. Integrated SEO best practices and security protocols to boost organic visibility and safeguard user data. Zeffy CRM & Donation Platform Setup Configured and deployed Zeffy as the primary CRM and donation management system to process 100% fee-free donations. Set up custom donor registration forms, automated tax receipt generation, recurring giving portals, and event ticketing features. Migrated existing supporter data into Zeffy and established automated workflows for donor engagement and follow-ups. AI-Driven Decision Making & Analytics Implementation Developed custom analytics dashboards to track key performance metrics across website traffic, campaign reach, and fundraising efficiency. Implemented predictive AI models to analyze donor behavior, identify engagement patterns, and forecast donor lifetime value and churn risk. Delivered actionable reporting features to assist non-profit leadership in allocating resources effectively and identifying top prospective supporters. Training & Handoff Conducted comprehensive training sessions for the administrative team on managing Zeffy CRM and interpreting AI analytics reports. Provided full documentation, process workflows, and ongoing technical support documentation.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Met all project milestones on schedule, successfully launching the website and completing the Zeffy CRM migration without donor downtime. Reduced platform fee overhead to 0% by transitioning to Zeffy, maximizing the net funds directed toward non-profit programs. Increased donor engagement and online contributions within the first quarter following the website launch. Provided non-profit leadership with real-time AI analytics dashboards, significantly cutting down weekly reporting time and enabling data-backed fundraising decisions.

Their project management was outstanding. The team delivered all project milestones on schedule, maintaining clear and consistent communication throughout the entire process. They were highly responsive to our feedback, quickly adapting to our requirements and providing prompt solutions whenever minor technical adjustments were needed.

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What stood out most was their rare ability to bridge technical AI analytics with practical non-profit needs. They didn't just build a new website and hand off software; they completely optimized our fundraising backend with Zeffy to save us money and gave us actionable data tools that actually make decision-making easier. Their team brought elite agency quality while showing genuine care for our mission.

Honestly, nothing comes to mind. They met or exceeded all of our expectations across every phase of the project, sticking strictly to our timeline and budget. We are extremely satisfied with their work and would gladly partner with them again.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Tryphe Luxury Real Estate, a luxury real estate company curating the best properties in South Florida.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Ares Group Business Consulting?

We needed help with a customized real estate platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Ares Group Business Consulting developed a customized real estate platform for us. The team built the platform using Astro, a frontend framework, and BullMQ to ingest data from MLS and the city. They also used Postgres, Vector, and PostGIS. Ares Group Business Consulting delivered everything, including Sanity as CMS, CRM connection and data, and RudderStack for server-side tracking.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 6-10 teammates from Ares Group Business Consulting.

How did you come to work with Ares Group Business Consulting?

Ares Group Business Consulting was referred to me. I chose them over other options because they had high ratings, were close to my geographic location, and offered good value for the cost.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $50,000–$200,000 with Ares Group Business Consulting.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Ares Group Business Consulting from April–July 2026.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Ares Group Business Consulting transitioned our ingestion architecture to a dedicated TypeScript worker (BullMQ + Redis), optimizing property data updates and enabling automated ingestion from MLS and city records. The team also achieved a three-level matching cascade for property parcels with high accuracy using PostGIS point-in-polygon and geometric proximity checks.Moreover, Ares Group Business Consulting implemented strict image payload discipline and native lazy-loading, resulting in an ~35% reduction in HTML transfer size on media-heavy pages while maintaining zero cumulative layout shift (CLS: 0). The team also optimized geographic search boundaries by simplifying county/city GeoJSON precision, reducing payload sizes by ~91% (from ~934 KB down to ~65–86 KB).Additionally, Ares Group Business Consulting unified listing and map search queries into single-response API endpoints, eliminating duplicate data fetches and drastically reducing server load during user navigation. The team delivered a high-performance Astro SSR framework coupled with Sanity CMS for editorial content and PostgreSQL/PostGIS/pgvector for technical inventory and spatial data.Finally, Ares Group Business Consulting built a robust security baseline with zero dynamic innerHTML execution, parameterized SQL queries, strict rate-limiting, and an authorized VOW/IDX compliance structure for real estate data.Overall, the technical foundation delivered by Ares Group Business Consulting — from the high-performance Astro frontend to the automated ingestion worker and robust database architecture — successfully transformed our platform into a fast, scalable, and fully compliant luxury real estate portal.

How did Ares Group Business Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

Ares Group Business Consulting demonstrated excellent project management throughout the engagement. They delivered all key architectural milestones and core system components on time according to our scheduled roadmap. We communicated via in-person meetings, virtual meetings, and emails or messaging apps.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What impressed us most about Ares Group Business Consulting was their exceptional technical rigor and architectural discipline. Rather than just building a standard website, they designed a highly scalable, production-grade real estate platform with deep attention to system integrity, performance, and compliance.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Overall, our experience with Ares Group Business Consulting was overwhelmingly positive.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of One FC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Founded by world-class champions Blaise Matuidi and Kieran Gibbs, ONE FC is an elite soccer academy bringing professional standards to youth development in Miami, Houston, and Boston.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Ares Group Business Consulting to accomplish?

• Website
• Academy management
• Automations
• AI applied to business
• Business Process
• RPA

SOLUTION

How did you find Ares Group Business Consulting?

• Online Search
• Clutch Site

Why did you select Ares Group Business Consulting over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Ares Group Business Consulting were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The project focused on the digital transformation and operational scaling of the ONE FC soccer academies. We implemented a comprehensive event management system to handle high-volume registrations for tryouts and camps across three major US markets. To streamline operations, we deployed Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to handle repetitive data entry between the CMS and localized databases, alongside custom automations for parent communication workflows. Key deliverables included: Automated Workflow Integration: Implementing RPA to sync player data and registration status across platforms, reducing manual administrative hours. Event Management Architecture: Building high-performance, multi-language landing pages with automated scheduling for Houston, Miami, and Boston events. Process Automation: Creating triggers for automated lead nurturing and confirmation sequences for academy tryouts. Technical SEO & Localization: Multi-language optimization (EN/ES/FR) for all automated event funnels to maximize local organic reach.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Reduced Administrative Overhead: Successfully automated of the manual data entry tasks between the registration platforms and the internal CMS using RPA, saving the team hours per week. Increased Event Capacity: The new event management architecture allowed us to launch tryouts and camps across three major cities (Miami, Houston, and Boston) simultaneously without increasing head-count. Faster Lead Response: Implemented communication automations that reduced the lead response time from 24 hours to under 5 minutes, significantly increasing the conversion rate for camp sign-ups. Global Visibility: Optimized SEO for high-performance keywords in English, Spanish, and French, resulting in a increase in organic traffic to the academy landing pages within the first month. Milestone Success: All technical configurations for the 2026/27 tryout season were completed 2 weeks ahead of schedule.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Outstanding

What was your primary form of communication with Ares Group Business Consulting?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What set this company apart was their productive approach to our infrastructure. we initially ask for a CMS but they took the time to deeply understand our business processes. instead of just delivering what we asked for, they identify bottenlecks  in our manual workflows and imlemented automations. that we hadn't considered. they built an automated ecosystem that connects all in our business

Are there any areas for improvement or something Ares Group Business Consulting could have done differently?

The project was highly successful, and their proactive nature was a major asset.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am a Director at Florida Education Institute

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

30 Years of Hands-on Training in Healthcare, Culinary, Business & Skilled Trades in South Florida
Florida Education Institute has been providing student-centered, hands-on, career education in the Miami-Dade and South Florida area for over three decades, offering both diploma and associate degree programs within the healthcare, business, culinary arts, and technical fields. Our comprehensive training programs are designed to meet the needs of both students and employers, ensuring our courses equip students with the skills needed to be successful in their chosen career.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Ares Group Business Consulting to accomplish?

• Advanced Voice AI Agent to prequalify and Nurture Prospect Students
• CRM Rules to trigger call after defined events
• End-to-End Student Lifecycle Automation. From CRM Lead, SIS, Microsoft and LMS Enrollment

SOLUTION

How did you find Ares Group Business Consulting?

Online Search

Why did you select Ares Group Business Consulting over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Ares Group Business Consulting were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Project 1: Accelerating Admissions: AI-Powered Lead Qualification and Proactive Outbound Calling
This project focuses on automating the top of the admissions funnel. The scope involves developing and deploying an advanced Voice AI agent to handle initial outreach, pre-qualification, and nurturing of prospective students. This AI will then intelligently trigger tasks for human advisors in the CRM, ensuring they engage with the most promising leads at the right time.

Scope of Work:
Discovery and Strategy:
Define and document the precise criteria for a "qualified lead" in collaboration with the admissions team.
Map the conversational flows, scripts, and branching logic the Voice AI will use to pre-qualify and nurture prospects.
Define the specific CRM events (e.g., lead score threshold met, positive response to a key question) that will trigger a hand-off to a human advisor.
Voice AI Agent Development:
Configure and train the Voice AI agent with the approved scripts, using a natural and brand-aligned voice.
Implement Natural Language Understanding (NLU) to accurately interpret prospect responses and questions.
Integrate the Voice AI with the CRM to pull lead information and push back conversation logs, summaries, and updated lead statuses.
CRM Automation Configuration:
Build the workflows in the CRM that listen for trigger events from the AI.
Automate the creation of "proactive call" tasks for admissions advisors, pre-populating them with the AI's conversation summary and context.
Develop dashboards and reports to monitor the AI's performance, including call volume, qualification rates, and successful hand-offs.
Testing, Deployment, and Training:
Conduct rigorous end-to-end testing in a sandbox environment, followed by a live pilot with a small segment of leads.
Refine the AI's logic and CRM rules based on pilot performance and team feedback.
Train the admissions team on the new workflow and how to best leverage the insights provided by the AI.
Key Deliverables:
A fully configured and deployed Voice AI agent capable of engaging prospective students.
Documented AI conversation scripts and logical flows.
A set of automated CRM workflows that trigger calls for qualified leads.
A performance dashboard to track key metrics for the AI agent and its impact on the admissions funnel.
Training materials and user guides for the admissions team.
 

Project 2: End-to-End Student Lifecycle Automation: From CRM Lead to LMS Enrollment
This project focuses on automating the operational onboarding of a student after they have been accepted and enrolled. The scope is to create a seamless, zero-touch workflow that provisions a new student across all essential campus systems immediately after they are marked as "Enrolled" in the CRM.

Scope of Work:
System & Process Analysis:
Map the entire data flow and identify all data points required for onboarding, from the initial CRM record to final course assignment in the LMS.
Analyze the API capabilities of the four core systems: Leadsquared (CRM), the Student Information System (SIS), Microsoft 365, and CipherLMS.
Define the primary trigger (e.g., "Status = Enrolled" in Leadsquared) that initiates the entire automation chain.
Integration Development:
Establish robust API connections to create a cohesive workflow. This may be done using an integration platform or direct connections.
CRM → SIS: On trigger, automatically create a new student record in the SIS using data from the CRM.
SIS → Microsoft 365: Once a student ID is generated in the SIS, automatically create a user account in Azure Active Directory, generate a university email address, and assign the correct Microsoft 365 license.
SIS → LMS: Concurrently, create a student account in CipherLMS using the official record from the SIS.
Program → LMS Course Assignment: Based on the student's program data from the SIS, automatically enroll them in their required introductory courses in CipherLMS.
Error Handling and Monitoring:
Build a resilient error-handling protocol to manage any API failures or data mismatches.
Implement an automated notification system to alert administrators of any failures in the workflow.
Create detailed logging for the entire process to enable quick troubleshooting.
Testing and Validation:
Perform comprehensive end-to-end testing in a sandbox environment to ensure data integrity across all platforms.
Run a supervised pilot with a small batch of new students to validate the workflow in a live environment.
Key Deliverables:
A fully functional, end-to-end automated student onboarding workflow.
Active and documented API integrations between Leadsquared, the SIS, Microsoft 365, and CipherLMS.
A centralized system for logging and error notifications.
Complete technical documentation of the integration architecture, data mappings, and business rules.
A final validation report confirming the success of the pilot program and readiness for full deployment.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Project 1: Accelerating Admissions (AI Voice Agent)
 

The primary goal here was to increase the speed and quality of our lead engagement. The results have exceeded our expectations:

Lead Response Time: Our speed-to-lead has seen a dramatic improvement. Previously, it could take our team up to 48 hours to contact a new prospect. The AI agent now initiates contact within 5 minutes of a lead entering our CRM. This immediate engagement has been a key differentiator.
Admissions Advisor Efficiency: By automating the initial pre-qualification calls, we have freed up approximately 15-20 hours per week for each admissions advisor. They no longer spend time on repetitive outreach or chasing unqualified leads. Instead, their time is now dedicated to high-value consultations with prospects the AI has already vetted and warmed up.
Lead Qualification Rate: The AI is successfully qualifying leads at a consistent rate. More importantly, the quality of the hand-off is higher. We've seen a 35% increase in our lead-to-application conversion rate for prospects handled by the AI, as our advisors can build rapport from a much stronger starting point.
Operational Insight: The dashboards give us a real-time view of the top of our funnel that we never had before. We can track how many calls are made, the outcome of those calls, and qualification trends, allowing us to be much more data-driven in our admissions strategy.
 

Project 2: End-to-End Student Lifecycle Automation (Onboarding)
 

This project was about eliminating manual bottlenecks and improving the student experience from the moment they enroll. The success here is measured in speed, accuracy, and scalability:

Time to Full Provisioning: This is our most impressive metric. Our previous manual onboarding process took anywhere from 3 to 5 business days. The new automated workflow provisions a student across all systems—SIS, Microsoft 365 email and license, and LMS with courses assigned—in under 15 minutes.
Reduction in Manual Errors: By eliminating manual data entry across four different systems, we have virtually eradicated common errors like misspelled names or incorrect ID numbers. This has led to an 85% reduction in onboarding-related IT support tickets during our peak enrollment periods.
Improved Student Experience: New students now receive their login credentials and access to their courses almost instantly after completing their enrollment. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. They feel welcomed and ready to go from day one, rather than feeling frustrated by administrative delays.
Scalability for Growth: During our recent Spring 2025 intake, we onboarded a record number of students without hiring additional administrative staff or requiring overtime. The system handled the peak volume seamlessly, proving it can support our future growth ambitions without a proportional increase in operational costs.
In summary, these projects have provided a significant return on investment, not just in terms of financial savings and efficiency, but in building a more modern, responsive, and student-centric institution. The solutions delivered were robust, technically sound, and exceeded our initial goals. We saw immediate and significant ROI through improved efficiency, accuracy, and a vastly better student experience.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They managed both complex projects with a level of professionalism and transparency that gave us a great deal of confidence throughout the entire process.

Their project management approach was both structured and agile. From the outset, they provided a clear project charter with a detailed timeline, key milestones, and deliverables. We had weekly sync-up meetings without fail, and their status reports were always concise and informative, so we never had to guess where things stood. They gave us access to a shared project dashboard, which was fantastic for transparency. Even when we encountered an unexpected issue with one of our legacy systems, their team managed it so effectively that the project remained perfectly on schedule. We had complete confidence in their time management.

The gains in staff efficiency, reduction in operational errors, and direct impact on our student conversion rates have delivered value that far outweighs the initial cost. It was a strategic investment that has already paid for itself.

What was your primary form of communication with Ares Group Business Consulting?

In-Person Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Many companies can build you a piece of software or configure an automation. What made this team different was their deep, almost intuitive understanding of the higher education landscape. They didn't just talk about APIs and workflows; they talked about the student journey, enrollment funnels, and the importance of the student experience from first contact to first class.  The entire process felt like a genuine partnership, the results were transformative for our operations, and they have earned our trust completely. We would re-engage them without hesitation and give them our highest recommendation.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Ares Group Business Consulting could have done differently?

Let me be clear, the technical documentation they provided was incredibly thorough and has been a great resource for our core IT team. But something like a series of short, two-minute video tutorials or a simplified "if-then" troubleshooting guide would have been tremendously helpful. Overall highly recommended

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of Cris Beauty Salon

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

At Cris Beauty Salon, we provide expert hair services in Brickell, Miami—from precision haircuts and
hair coloring to deep conditioning treatments.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Ares Group Business Consulting to accomplish?

• Create my website to increase sales
• Create the Wellness app to nurture my customers
• E-commerce configuration and Appointment setting

SOLUTION

How did you find Ares Group Business Consulting?

Referral

Why did you select Ares Group Business Consulting over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Ares Group Business Consulting were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Project Summary of https://www.crisbeautysalonmiami.com/
 

The goal is to create an integrated digital ecosystem that enhances the client experience and streamlines salon operations. This will be achieved by developing three core components:

A Next.js website to serve as the salon's primary online presence, focusing on marketing, information dissemination, and brand identity.
A cross-platform mobile application to provide a seamless and convenient way for clients to browse services, manage their profiles, and book appointments directly from their phones.
An AI appointment setter that automates booking, rescheduling, and inquiries through natural conversations over phone calls (voice) and SMS, reducing the administrative load on staff.
 
 

Key Deliverable 1: Beauty Salon Website
 

This will be a fast, responsive, and visually appealing website built with modern technology to attract and inform potential clients.

Technology Stack
 

Frontend: Next.js (React Framework)
Hosting: Vercel
Content Management: A Headless CMS Sanity to allow easy updates to content without needing a developer.
 

Features & Pages
 

Homepage: An engaging landing page with a brand overview, featured services, and calls-to-action (e.g., "Book Now").
Services Page: A detailed catalog of all services offered, including descriptions, durations, and pricing.
Our Team/Stylists: Profiles for each staff member, showcasing their specialties, experience, and portfolio.
Gallery/Portfolio: A high-resolution image and video gallery of the salon's work.
Blog: A section for articles on beauty tips, trends, and salon news to boost SEO and client engagement.
Contact & Location: An interactive map, business hours, contact information, and an inquiry form.
Booking Integration: Prominent buttons and links that seamlessly direct users to book via the mobile app or a web-based booking interface.
 

Summary of Deliverables
 

A fully functional, responsive website deployed to a live domain.
Source code repository (e.g., GitHub).
Administrative access and training documentation for the Headless CMS.
On-page SEO optimization for all key pages.
 
 

Key Deliverable 2: Wellness Mobile Application
 

A user-friendly mobile app for both iOS and Android that empowers clients to manage their appointments anytime, anywhere. 📱

Technology Stack
 

Framework: Flutter (for cross-platform compatibility).
Backend: Supabase
Payments: Integration with Stripe
 

Features
 

User Account & Profile: Secure sign-up/login (email, social media), and profile management where clients can view appointment history and save payment details.
Service & Staff Browse: Intuitive interface to explore services and select a preferred staff member.
Real-Time Booking System: An interactive calendar showing real-time availability. Clients can book, reschedule, or cancel appointments.
Push Notifications: Automated reminders for upcoming appointments, confirmations, and special promotions.
Secure In-App Payments: Ability for clients to pay for services or place a deposit directly within the app.
Reviews & Ratings: A system for clients to leave feedback on their experience.
 

Summary of Deliverables
 

The final mobile application published on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Source code repository for the mobile app and backend.
An admin dashboard for salon management to oversee appointments, services, staff schedules, and client data.
 
 

Key Deliverable 3: AI Appointment Setter (Voice & SMS)
 

An intelligent virtual assistant to handle appointment logistics 24/7, ensuring no call or booking opportunity is missed. 

Technology Stack
 

Telephony/SMS: Twilio API.
AI/NLU: Google Dialogflow
Backend Logic: Server Node to connect the AI, the booking system, and the Twilio API.
 

Features
 

AI Voice Agent (Inbound Calls):

Answers incoming calls to the salon's main phone number.
Understands natural language requests to book, reschedule, or cancel an appointment.
Checks the central calendar for real-time availability and suggests open slots.
Can answer Frequently Asked Questions (e.g., "What are your hours?", "Where are you located?").
AI SMS Agent (Two-Way Texting):

Sends automated SMS confirmations and reminders.
Allows clients to confirm (C), cancel (X), or request to reschedule via text reply.
Engages in conversational SMS to book a new appointment for users who text an inquiry.
Sends automated follow-up texts after an appointment to request a review.
 

Summary of Deliverables
 

A fully configured Twilio phone number with the active AI voice agent.
A fully operational two-way SMS automation system.
Complete integration with the mobile app's booking database for unified scheduling.
A dashboard to review conversation logs and agent performance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

1. Revenue and Booking Growth
 

The primary goal was to increase appointments and reduce lost revenue from missed opportunities and no-shows.

Increase in Overall Bookings: We saw a 35% increase in the total number of appointments booked per month within the first quarter post-launch.
Channel Shift to Digital: Previously, 80% of bookings were made manually over the phone. Now, 70% of all appointments are self-booked by clients through the mobile app and website, indicating successful user adoption.
Reduction in No-Shows: The automated SMS and push notification reminders from the AI setter and mobile app led to a 40% reduction in client no-shows, maximizing stylist utilization.
Higher Average Ticket Value: Clients using the mobile app to browse services in detail led to a 15% increase in pre-booking of add-on services (e.g., deep conditioning, gloss treatments).
 

2. Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings
 

The automation tools were designed to free up staff time and reduce administrative overhead.

Reduced Administrative Workload: We measured a reduction of approximately 15 hours per week in time spent by front-desk staff on managing phone-based appointment scheduling. This time has been reallocated to higher-value, in-person client services.
AI Appointment Handling: The AI Voice and SMS setter now successfully handles 60% of all inbound booking inquiries without any human intervention. This includes new bookings, cancellations, and rescheduling requests.
24/7 Availability: Data shows that 25% of all AI-managed bookings were made outside of regular salon hours (e.g., late at night or early morning), capturing revenue that would have otherwise been lost.
Elimination of Double-Bookings: The centralized booking database used by all three components has resulted in a 100% reduction in scheduling conflicts and double-booking errors.
 

3. Client Engagement and Satisfaction
 

A seamless digital experience was crucial for improving client loyalty and attracting new customers.

Mobile App Adoption: The mobile application achieved over 2,500 downloads in the first six months with a 4.9-star average rating on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Increased Positive Reviews: Automated post-appointment SMS prompts for reviews led to a 200% increase in the number of positive Google and Yelp reviews, directly boosting the salon's online reputation.
Website Performance: The Next.js website's organic traffic from search engines increased by 50% due to improved SEO and faster page load times. The bounce rate decreased from 65% to 30%, showing that visitors are more engaged with the content.
High User Engagement: Monthly active users on the mobile app remain consistently high, with 60% of users opening the app at least once a month for booking or checking promotions.
 

4. Marketing and Brand Reach
 

The new digital presence solidified the salon's brand as modern and customer-focused.

Improved Search Engine Ranking: The salon now ranks on the first page of Google for 10 high-value local keywords (e.g., "best hair colorist in Miami," "luxury facial near me"), up from just two keywords prior to the project.
Growth of Marketing List: The client database for email and SMS marketing has grown by 45% through opt-ins on the website and mobile app, creating a larger audience for targeted promotions.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

From the very beginning, their process was transparent and professional. They set us up on a shared Slack channel for quick questions and used a project management tool, Asana, where we could track the progress of every task in real-time. We also had a standing video call every Friday morning to review the week's work and plan for the next. We always knew exactly where the project stood, which gave us tremendous peace of mind.

What was your primary form of communication with Ares Group Business Consulting?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What I found most impressive, and frankly unique, was their ability to think like business owners, not just developers.

Many companies can build a nice website or an app. But this team took the time to truly understand the business challenges of running a high-end salon in a competitive market like Miami. I came to them with problems, not solutions. I said things like, "We're losing clients because we miss calls after hours," and "My front desk staff is overwhelmed and it's affecting our in-person customer service."

I didn't say, "I need an AI-powered Natural Language Understanding agent integrated via a telephony API."

They heard my business problems and came back with a sophisticated, holistic technical solution that solved them perfectly. Their most unique skill is acting as a translator—taking our real-world industry needs and converting them into a digital platform that directly increases revenue and efficiency.

That ability to bridge the gap between business strategy and technical execution is what sets them apart. They weren't just a vendor; they were genuine partners in our growth.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Ares Group Business Consulting could have done differently?

This is a tough question because, honestly, the whole experience was incredibly positive. It almost feels like nitpicking.