Heather Gray Gray Consulting and Therapy LLC
LONDONDERRY — When biology didn’t work out for Heather Gray, it set her on a path to helping others find their voice.
Gray, who once set out to major in biology before realizing the chemistry requirements weren’t the right fit, pivoted to psychology and ultimately speech and language pathology, a decision that would shape both her career and a growing business now recognized statewide.
Gray Consulting and Therapy, LLC in Londonderry was named this year’s New Hampshire’s Women-Owned Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The award will be presented during Small Business Week with a ceremony scheduled for May 7.
“I was shocked and very surprised,” Gray said. “I knew I was being nominated, but I also knew it was very competitive. I really wasn’t thinking much beyond the nomination. I was honored just to be nominated.”
A licensed speech and language pathologist, Gray has built her career around helping individuals overcome communication challenges, often through the use of assistive technology. Her work focuses less on mental health counseling and more on speech, language and functional communication.
“If you have a disability and there’s something you cannot do, or have difficulty with, assistive technology can help you do that task,” Gray said.
“That could be something like a wheelchair, or for someone with dyslexia. A lot of what I do is working with people who have difficulty speaking and using computers and technology to help them communicate.”
Gray has worked in a variety of settings over the years, including private practice, nonprofits and school districts. She launched her own business in 2017, initially as a small, part-time venture while raising her children.
“It was like, ‘Let’s do this while my husband is at work and the kids are at school,’” she said. “I didn’t have much of a vision about what it could be.”
Instead, the business grew steadily and organically, driven by demand for specialized services.
Today, Gray Consulting and Therapy employs 25 professionals and serves clients throughout southern New Hampshire, with additional work in Massachusetts as well as parts of Maine and Vermont. Much of the company’s work is school-based or conducted with adults through New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation.
The firm now offers a wide range of services, including speech and occupational therapy, along with a vision team, all aimed at improving functional performances for individuals with disailities.
“A lot of the time, the goal is to help provide support for some function of life that is impacted by your disability,” Gray said. “It’s about helping people be full participants in their community.”
Collaboration is central to that mission.
“I like putting the pieces together and working with other professionals to really figure out solutions for individuals with complex needs,” she said.
As the company expanded, so did its need for space.
In 2025, Gray Consulting and Therapy moved from a small Hampstead office into a larger space in Londonderry, offering easier access for staff and clients and room for continued growth.
“With 25 employees trying to work in a small office, we just couldn’t all fit,” Gray said. “Now we have a space that supports our team and allows us to think about what’s next”
She also praised Londonderry as a supportive place to grow a business.
“The town has been great,” Gray said. “It’s a welcoming place to move your business and be part of the community.”
Gray was nominated for the SBA award by her adviser at her New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, Amy Sterndale, who highlighted Gray’s impact.
“Heather Gray represents the very best of women-owned small business: innovative, financially strong, community-minded and purpose-drive,” Sterndale said.
Looking ahead, Gray said her focus is on meeting growing demand and expanding access to services across the region.
“We’re just working on keeping up,” she said. “We want to be able to help more people across the state.”
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