Ares Group Business Consulting

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.