Introduction: Brian Gray

An Introduction to Ideation Catalyst's Life and Career Coach: Brian Gray

Thank you for your interest in learning more about Ideation Catalyst. I started this journey in 2025, after years of mentorship, coaching, and experiences that led me to realize that this could be more than just a side project—it could truly be my life's work. I believe in transparency, and I think that open conversations lead to more effective results. So, I want to help you feel comfortable and familiar by sharing a bit about who I am.

My Early Life

Growing up in a suburb of Burlington, Vermont, I had a traditional childhood. I played sports, biked around the neighborhood with friends, and participated in Cub Scouts. However, I also faced challenges. I had a speech impediment that made me self-conscious in my early years. This experience taught me the importance of being an active listener. I wanted to engage socially, so I learned to ask probing questions while using as few words as possible. This allowed my peers to carry the conversation. I found joy in learning about their backgrounds, experiences, and motivations. Learning about others is an activity that I continue to enjoy and practice regularly today. I believe this speech impediment was a significant factor in shaping my inquisitive nature.

My Professional Journey

I excelled academically throughout high school, college, and graduate school, which opened many professional doors for me. I majored in Accounting and minored in Psychology in college. Before my senior year, I secured an internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). I loved the experience and continued working there after graduation. Public accounting firms are filled with intelligent, highly social young professionals. While I was good at my job, it was the team dynamics that truly energized me.

Eventually, I transitioned to a private equity firm, where I found a terrific small finance team. Again, I was more energized by the people than the work itself. As my personal life pulled me further from the city of Boston, I sought a role with a more manageable commute. This led me to spend seven years in progressively senior finance roles at EMC and Dell Technologies.

As a "yes" person, I took on many projects and roles to gain exposure, even if they were not aligned with my goals. This helped me professionally, but I often struggled to balance the stress of my career with the demands of a young, active family. In 2021, I decided to step away from my corporate career to focus intentionally on my family. I took on some part-time work, and continue to do some professional and financial consulting on the side. However, much of my time over the years has been dedicated to coaching my children's youth hockey and baseball teams. I also serve as an officer in the town's baseball and softball board.

Working with kids brings me immense joy. When I coach youth sports, my goal is for the kids to enjoy the experience, and I try to find unique ways to encourage each individual kid to give their best effort in every challenge they face. I carry that forward with my life coaching approach - what motivates one person to make improvements in their life may not be the right approach for another.

The Lightbulb Moment

In a moment of self-reflection, I realized that the next chapter of my life was the perfect opportunity to start a company focused on life coaching. My background includes being a "Big Brother" in high school, a peer tutor in college, and a mentor in my public accounting and private equity roles. I had countless one-on-one career and development meetings with my team members as a manager in my corporate work. These conversations were always productive and energized my day. The realization that I could focus on the creation of this energy for clients inspired me to take the leap and start Ideation Catalyst Life Coaching LLC.

Why Life and Career Coaching?

Coaching is about helping individuals navigate their personal and professional journeys. I understand what it feels like to be overwhelmed and stuck. I want to be your trusted partner in gaining clarity and achieving your goals. Whether you're looking to improve corporate efficiencies, make personal life choices, discuss a straightforward decision matrix, or simply want to take a quick break to find some calm, I'm here to help.

I hope that learning more about me makes you feel comfortable taking the next step: scheduling a life coaching session. I genuinely look forward to learning about you and supporting you on your path. I want to emphasize that life is a journey we embark on together. I am here to provide practical, actionable guidance and foster accountability. Together, we can explore your aspirations and work towards achieving them. Remember, every great journey begins with a single step. Let's take that step together!

Book Online

brian@ideationcatalyst.com