La Academia
Grupo Smile was born in Bogotá with a clear vision: to prove that the gastronomic sector could be as transformative as it is delicious. With the guidance of Actual, they set out on the path to becoming a B-Corp, aligning their social purpose with their growth strategy.

In an industry marked by high turnover and a lack of structured training, Grupo Smile chose an innovative approach: building an internal culture focused on people—driven by purpose, collaboration, and continuous learning.
The Challenge
Grupo Smile set out to create meaningful social impact while strengthening talent retention within its organization. This ambition responds to a structural challenge in the gastronomic sector: high staff turnover and limited access to professional training in service roles. Many people enter the workforce without the skills or preparation they need, which often leads to frustration, low motivation, and early exit. As a result, restaurants face ongoing difficulty finding qualified personnel, affecting service quality and increasing recruitment and training costs.
Our Approach
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We designed an educational platform called La Academia, built on the shared knowledge of gastronomic experts across Colombia and delivered through short, high-impact modules.
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We created professional development opportunities for both current and aspiring sector workers, supporting restaurant successby investing in people’s growth and well-being.
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Students learn at their own pace through WhatsApp, completing assessments and receiving guided support. Upon completion, they receive a certificate.
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We developed 15 learning modules covering Service, Communication, the Gastronomic Ecosystem, and Financial Skills.
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Trained the entire internal team at Grupo Smile
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Opened +2,000 learning spots for people outside the company
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Reached 85 users from partner restaurants
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96% of participants said they would recommend La Academia
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