The Growth Academy Impact story: Skills Bootcamp In Sales 2025/26

As the founder of Walk Works, a business providing guided walks and outdoor experiences across South Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire, Caroline Gratrix was entering a new phase of growth, adding events to her established walking business. With past experience in sales, she recognised that selling has changed and saw the value in refreshing her skills for today’s market by enrolling on a Skills Bootcamp with The Growth Academy, Berkshire.

Following a recommendation from Sara Charlesworth, business adviser at Berkshire Growth Hub,  Caroline enrolled on The Growth Academy Skills Bootcamp in Sales — a 16-week practical programme designed to support business owners navigating growth and mastering sales in the digital age. Below we learn from Caroline, how The Skills Bootcamp in Sales gave her the clarity and confidence she was looking for, helping her approach sales with a renewed sense of purpose.

The situation

After some time away from a classroom environment, starting a 16-week sales course came with a healthy dose of trepidation. Would it be overwhelming? Too theoretical? Or worse… dull.

Very quickly, those nerves disappeared.

From week one, the course set the tone with a highly participative structure. Regular breakout sessions encouraged open discussion, challenge and reflection, while the weekly format pushed participants to take a hard look at what they currently delivered and how it could be done better.

The highlights

One of the most impactful elements was the weekly “success from the week” check-in. It was a simple idea, but incredibly powerful. Watching confidence and progress grow week on week created momentum, accountability and a genuine sense of shared achievement.

The first half of the course focused on core sales foundations:

Caroline Gratrix and Liz Bradbury, founders of Walk Works

· Understanding impact and the full sales journey

· Different buyer types and decision making styles

· Using case studies effectively

· Collecting and applying feedback to strengthen future sales

The second phase moved into the practical detail:

· Sales meetings and negotiation

· Building and using a strong value stack

· Handling objections with confidence

· Moving smoothly towards customer satisfaction and retention

In the latter weeks, participants began writing procedures during the sessions themselves, cleverly building a practical resource library that could be taken straight back into the business.

The impact

The impact went far beyond sales techniques.

I hoped to get sales confidence out of it. I got that in spades and so much more! Couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

In addition to newfound confidence:

· The value of the business can now be communicated far more clearly and confidently

· New lead generation materials have been designed and implemented

· A refreshed sales and social media strategy is in place

· New partnership products have been developed

· Clear procedures now support consistent delivery

Perhaps most importantly, there was a deeper understanding gained, not just of sales, but of the business itself and personal strengths within it. The course has created real momentum. Alongside my business partner, there is genuine excitement about new opportunities already forming, with 2026 shaping up to be a year of growth, collaboration and confidence. This wasn’t just a sales course, it was a reset, a confidence boost and a practical toolkit that will continue to pay dividends well beyond the classroom. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to any business looking to boost their offering.

Thank you for the opportunity!

Walk Works guided walking tours and outdoor experiences.

Learn more about The Growth Academy and the Skills Bootcamps available.