Find out how a family-owned fitness equipment company in Raleigh that had fallen behind the times used Hibu to get its name back in front of customers, land its biggest deal of the year, and build a foundation for predictable growth.
Overview
Fitness Concepts is a family-owned fitness equipment company based in Raleigh, North Carolina, selling and servicing commercial and residential fitness equipment across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The company prides itself on a knowledgeable staff, quick turnaround times, and expert service. For years, those strengths were enough. Then the market shifted, and Fitness Concepts found itself falling behind. Not because the work got worse, but because the world moved online and the company didn’t move with it.
The Challenge
Before partnering with Hibu, Fitness Concepts was dealing with not enough leads, low online visibility, and the lingering damage of a previous marketing company that had failed to deliver.
The business hadn’t evolved with the digital shift, and it showed. "We did not evolve with the times, and that hurt us badly," said Michael Ferguson, Sales and Contract Manager. A bad prior experience with a marketing provider made the decision to try again harder. Skepticism and budget concerns both had to be overcome before moving forward.
The Hibu Solution
What made the difference was Hibu representative Tyler's approach from the very first meeting. "Tyler came in and met us face to face. He was very knowledgeable and friendly, and kept up with us even when we were unsure about if and when we would move forward," Michael said. The patience Tyler showed by staying engaged without adding pressure through the uncertainty was a sign that this partnership would be different. Tyler and Hibu then designed a plan that fit within Fitness Concepts' budget and backed it up with results from comparable companies. "That put us at ease."
That plan included a combination of Hibu’s all-in-one digital marketing platform—Hibu One—in addition to social media advertising on Facebook and Instagram.
The Results
The results have been comprehensive: increased lead volume, more phone calls, more revenue, more repeat customers, and higher quality leads. But the single clearest proof point is a client called, which found Fitness Concepts online through Hibu's marketing. The job that followed was a full fitness center refresh. "It is one of our, if not our biggest deal, this year," Michael said. That is a direct line from a Hibu campaign to a flagship contract.
The business impact has been increased profitability, reduced stress, more opportunities to do business, and more predictable growth. Looking back, Michael is direct about what waiting could have meant for the business. "We might not have been in business honestly." Coming from a Sales and Contract Manager reflecting on where the company was, that is not hyperbole, it’s an honest accounting of how close the business came to not making it.
The relationship with Tyler and Hibu has become one Fitness Concepts genuinely values. "We have built a great relationship with Tyler and Hibu," Michael said—responsiveness, communication, customer service, industry knowledge, and transparency, all of it. To business owners still relying on word of mouth, his message is direct. "We are in a time where word of mouth is not enough anymore. It was Hibu that put us back out there and got our name in front of people again." His recommendation is equally plain: "Yes! You will get positive results with Hibu. Plain and simple."
In a 90-day period, Hibu’s digital marketing for Fitness Concepts generated:
- 111 Leads
- 234 Ad Clicks
Hibu is a leading provider of digital marketing solutions to local businesses across the US. With Hibu, your business has a truly integrated marketing program designed to increase your visibility online, drive visitors to your website and generate leads. Visit Hibu.com or call us at 855-409-6569 today to get more from your digital marketing.
