Julie Thomas, the president and CEO of ValueSelling Associates, leads a team dedicated to empowering sales professionals to compete on value, not price. The company’s ValueSelling Framework® is a simple yet effective process that enables organizations to manage conversations with prospects, fostering a mutual understanding of how we can add value to their business. This approach has consistently helped our clients achieve immediate revenue growth and enhanced sales performance.
With over 24 years in sales, sales management, and corporate leadership, Julie credits her mastery of the ValueSelling Framework for her own professional growth. Beyond her role at ValueSelling Associates, Julie serves on the advisory board of the eWomenNetwork Foundation Advisory Council and actively participates in local charities in the San Diego region. She has also published two books; the most recent is The Power of Value Selling: The Gold Standard to Drive Revenue and Gain Customers for Life.
ValueSelling Associates has recently introduced Growist™, with a mission to empower solopreneurs, agency CEOs, and founders to achieve unprecedented sales success.
Introduce us to Growist™, the most recent offering from ValueSelling Associates.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners often struggle with sales—not because they lack passion or expertise, but because they don’t have a clear, repeatable framework for turning conversations into revenue. Many fear coming across as too “sales-y” or struggle to differentiate their offerings in a crowded market. Growist™ was created to solve these challenges, providing a straightforward, value-based approach to sales that feels natural and effective. Through structured learning, expert guidance, and a supportive community, Growist helps founders and solopreneurs confidently navigate the sales process, build meaningful customer relationships, and ultimately grow their businesses.
Who benefits from a program like Growist’s Stop Selling > Start Solving?
Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and creative professionals who aim to build impactful customer relationships and achieve transformative revenue results will benefit from Growist. The Stop Selling > Start Solving program is tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by smaller teams and individuals, providing a simple, repeatable framework for every customer-facing conversation.
Why do entrepreneurs and small business owners need to learn how to sell? Isn’t that something they would know at this point?
While many entrepreneurs excel in their respective fields, they may not have formal sales training. Effective selling is crucial for business growth, and understanding how to communicate the unique value of their solutions can make a significant difference. Growist emphasizes a value-based approach, helping entrepreneurs link their offerings to pressing business needs, thereby shortening sales cycles and securing premium pricing.
Explain your motto of “Stop Selling. Start Solving.”
Our motto, “Stop Selling. Start Solving.,” reflects our philosophy of moving beyond traditional sales tactics. Instead of focusing on pushing a product or service, we teach participants to authentically partner with customers, facilitating their success by addressing their specific needs and challenges.
What’s involved? What’s my commitment?
Our Stop Selling > Start Solving program involves an 11-module learning journey that covers the entire revenue cycle. Participants commit to engaging with the content at their own pace and attending monthly group coaching sessions to reinforce knowledge. The program offers one-year access to the online portal, including all job aids and downloadable resources. You can check out the Growist site for pricing of the and a free download of the program guide with all the details.
Most entrepreneurs and small business owners hate the thought of being pushy or “sales-y.” How is this different?
Many entrepreneurs and small business owners are wary of appearing pushy or “sales-y.” Growist addresses this concern by focusing on creating long-term client relationships rooted in value. Our approach empowers professionals to nurture lasting customer relationships without compromising their vision, making the sales process feel more natural and less intrusive.
Can you describe the Growist community?
Our Growist community is an exclusive network of leading creatives, strategists, and revenue professionals dedicated to successfully applying our principles to grow their businesses. This knowledge-sharing network meets diverse needs and capabilities, empowering ambitious professionals to nurture lasting customer relationships without compromising their vision.
What other resources are available for entrepreneurs and small business owners to be more successful in their sales efforts?
In addition to the flagship course, Growist offers a resource hub featuring articles, e-books, infographics, videos, and webinars. These resources cover topics such as top sales training programs for entrepreneurs, strategies to avoid common sales mistakes, and guides to creating value-based stories for sales calls.
Can you share success stories?
Participants in Growist’s Stop Selling > Start Solving program have reported transformative results after completing the program. For instance, Joya Sosnowski, CEO of Vibologie, shared, “Thanks to this program, I now enjoy selling because I KNOW I am solving problems, rather than trying to convince anyone.”
Similarly, Veronica Bahn, CEO & Founder of Transform My Social Media, stated, “If you’re looking for a sales training course that focuses on creating long-term client relationships to maximize growth, this is the program for you.”
To learn more: Watch the “Sales Results without ‘Selling’” video.
