f you grew up looking
out at the Chicago
skyline, you might feel
the same as James Gray, President and Founder of Calibrate Coaching and Consulting. Born in Indiana in the 80’s, James carried a curiosity and intrigue for real possibilities within the element of opportunity outside of his small-town. Even as a young boy of 13, he’d look up at the bright skyline during Chicago’s Air and Water Show and think, “I must be a part of that”!
What Chicago meant to James was freedom and a promise of being around electrifying energy. James found himself craving the pursuit of a life in Chicago, living by his own standards and means. With a degree in education, he knew his main focus was coaching.
Fast-forward to present day, James Gray has worked with the most elite Restaurant owners in Chicago. What drew me to James’ work was his consulting and involvement with Mindy Segal, owner of Mindy’s Hot Chocolate. This is by far my favorite restaurant in Chicago and once viewing his resume of accolades I had to get connected and know more about his brand building abilities.
Our connection originated when I found myself drawn back into the world of management and hospitality. Reluctant to start a new career, James would be my first interview for an out of state position. Long story short…I stayed in Chicago and James did as well and we continued to network and complement each other’s work along the way.
Calibrate Coaching is described to adjust, rectify and regulate a system or company. From budget or media and branding, James and Vice President of client development Ryan Territo, cover everything a fully operated company would need.
They offer a year-round weekend and event space called Farrand Hall based in Colon, Michigan. Built in 1854, this historic chateau cabin plays a big role in the hospitality that Calibrate offers. James Gray has built his reputation on not only creating new spaces for his clients to thrive but is part home-owner to the Michigan sanctuary. This space offers Nostalgic vibes and beautiful scenery and gorgeous nature elements. Every room captures an essence of rich Midwest historic design. Entering, it’s as if you’ve walked into a time vault of treasure. This could be described as Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe adventure. During the winter, fields of snow and pines make you feel like you can escape the chaos of city living for a little piece of mind. You’re able rent the space for a weekend, weddings as well as an for a dinner or sophisticated party experience.
Another project James has under his belt is One Eleven Food Hall, a space for restauranteurs that acts as an introduction into their culinary brands to the masses. Nothing is limited in this environment. He takes humans that spark extreme buzz in their field and add more light to their fire. Local artists such as Edo, CEO of Infinite Inception are wound into Calibrate Coaches network of creatives displayed on the walls at One Eleven Food Hall. Calibrate pursues candidates for Eleven Food Hall that are looking to build their exposure just as James did to his network years ago.
Relationships can find themselves in our lives in ways we didn’t know possible. James’ ability to connect and build a vast network of grassroots skills is a gift. In his own words, he elaborated, “A feeling of achieving success is an empowering one. It literally changes the way you think about what your capable of doing.”
Opening a world of new ideas is something not everyone is equipped to do. When leaving a meeting with James Gray, there’s a confidence he provides that makes you certain that nothing is out of your reach. You quite literally adapt the same vigor he felt as a child watching the Chicago skyline.
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