About the Company

Concept Marketing Group provides comprehensive marketing solutions, including PR services, business coaching, and specialty directories. Initially a solo operation, it expanded to employ six team members and several subcontractors before downsizing for retirement planning. The company serves a global clientele, gaining 25-50 new customers monthly. 

Key offerings include annual subscriptions for business directories and tailored marketing services. Adaptability and innovation remain central to its business strategy, helping it weather market changes and maintain consistent customer growth.

Barb Ferrigno plans to retire within four years, aiming to transition the company to an entrepreneur, ensuring continuity and care for her clients.

Idea Behind Company

The idea for Concept Marketing Group emerged when Barb Ferrigno was advised by doctors to work more flexibly due to an immune disorder. At the time, she worked in sales and marketing for a food distributor. This passion, coupled with the desire for a healthier work-life balance, led her to start her own business. 

Initially, the company was designed as a small-scale operation, with limited clients, to fit Barb’s personal and family needs. However, the rise of the internet in the mid-1990s transformed the scope and scale of the business. Offering free online resources attracted significant interest, leading to the rapid expansion of services.

Barb’s keen understanding of market trends and her love for marketing ensured that the business not only thrived but also adapted to new challenges over the years.

Creating the Company

Barb started Concept Marketing Group with $500 and a desktop computer, crafting a detailed business plan over four months. One of her first products, a free Associations List, proved immensely popular, eventually evolving into a subscription-based directory generating $250,000 annually.

The directory’s success prompted a redesign of the business model, adding value through expanded data and real-time updates. This innovation positioned the company as a leading provider of specialized marketing resources.Barb emphasizes precision, testing new ideas internally before rolling them out to clients, ensuring consistent quality and performance.

Launching the Business

The launch phase was modest, as Barb initially aimed for a small operation. The advent of the internet in 1994 provided a turning point, allowing her to create an online presence and expand her customer base significantly.

By offering free resources on the company website, she attracted clients organically. Over time, these resources evolved into paid services, helping the company transition into a sustainable and profitable business.

Barb’s personal touch, combined with strategic marketing, helped her build strong relationships with clients, ensuring loyalty and long-term success.

Earnings

Concept Marketing Group earns $40,000 in monthly revenue, with the subscription-based directory contributing $250,000 annually. Despite initial challenges, the company maintained steady growth, even during downturns like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The business benefits from diverse revenue streams, including direct mail services, coaching, and social media management. Barb’s hands-on approach to testing and refining products ensures consistent customer satisfaction and retention.

As Barb approaches retirement, she aims to secure the company’s legacy by mentoring a successor, ensuring the continued growth and success of Concept Marketing Group.