Always ask to see past results for Keywords that people actually type in to find the specific clients business before hiring anyone!
No long tail or keywords that people will never type in to find your business.
Screw keyword research! You know your business better than anyone, ask yourself:
"If you were the customer looking for your type of business services, what keywords would you type in the search engines?"
Facebook advertising works and local Google places is really good because just about everyone has a smartphone now.
Just be careful who you deal with and ask for prior client results to see.
So far on this thread as a business owner myself I would defiantly talk with beauxesprits along with other SEO providers that can show proof of past work for clients.