Introduction: Brian Gray
- Brian Gray
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
An introduction to Ideation Catalyst's life coach
Thank you for showing an interest in learning more about Ideation Catalyst. I started the company in 2025 after many years of mentorship, coaching, and other experiences that led me to realize that this could be more than a side-effect of my work, it could actually be my work. I tend to be a very transparent person, and I strongly believe that the more open our conversations are, the more effective the results will be. For that reason, I figured I might as well attempt to increase your level of comfort and familiarity by giving you a head start in learning more about who I am.
Early Life
Growing up in a suburb of Burlington, Vermont, I had a very traditional childhood. I played sports, biked around the neighborhood with friends, and participated in Cub Scouts. I also had a speech impediment which I was self-conscious about in my early years, so I learned how to become an active listener in conversations with peers. Because I had a high desire to engage in social activity, I would spend as few words as possible to ask probing questions, which would allow my peers to carry the conversation. I enjoyed learning about everyone's background, experiences, and motivations. I believe this speech impediment to be the most significant foundational stimulus that formed me into the inquisitive person that I am today.
Professional Life
I performed well academically through high school, college, and graduate school, and this opened many doors for me professionally. I was an Accounting Major and a Psychology Minor in college, and I was able to secure an internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers before my senior year of college. I loved the internship, and went on to work at PwC after graduation through my early 20s. Public accounting firms tend to have a very high number of intelligent, highly social young professionals. I was good at the job, but was energized by the team dynamics of the engagements. Eventually I went into accounting at a small private equity firm. The people there were terrific, and once again, I was energized by the team more than the work. As my personal life pulled me a bit further from the city life of Boston, I sought out a role with a more manageable commute, and ended up spending 7 years in progressively more senior finance roles at EMC and Dell Technologies.
As a "yes" person, I struggled to manage the stress of my career with the demands of a young and active family. In 2021 I took a step away from my corporate career to put an intentional focus on my family. I drove for ride-share for a short time, and I still do some part-time professional and financial consulting, but much more of my life has been consumed by coaching several of my children's youth hockey and baseball teams, including being an officer on the town's baseball and softball organization.
Working with kids is an absolute pleasure, and anytime I am actively coaching youth sports, there is no concern outside of the sport. My sole focus is on engaging with the kids, ensuring that they enjoy the experience each and every day, and encouraging them to always contribute their best efforts to any challenge that they take on.
Lightbulb Moment
In a moment of self-reflection, I realized that the next chapter of my life was a perfect opportunity to start a company with a focus on life coaching. I was a "Big Brother" in the local chapter in high school. I was a peer tutor in college. I was a mentor at my public accounting and private equity roles. I had several hundred one on one career and development meetings with my team members as a manager in my corporate work. These were always the conversations that I looked forward to, were productive, and energized my day. This realization is what helped me to take the leap to starting Ideation Catalyst Life Coaching LLC.
I hope that knowing a little bit more about me has made you more comfortable in taking your next step, which is to schedule a life coaching session with me! Whether you are looking for help in working through corporate efficiencies in your job, trying to decide between personal life choices, or just would like to talk through a more simple and straightforward decision matrix, please schedule a session or reach out to me for more information.
I look forward to learning more about you and helping you along your own path!
Brian Gray
Owner - Ideation Catalyst Life Coaching LLC