About

 

To create strong communities of character that empower youth to become tomorrow's leaders today.

 

 

Character, Inc. was out of one woman’s desire to create a community that would nurture and support her family’s growth as dreamers, givers, and doers. Rather than sitting by and waiting for that environment to magically appear, Julie Watson Smith decided to make some changes on her own…starting in her own home.

 

One day, a flyer talking about responsibility crossed her desk. Rather than giving it a once-over, she had a discussion about character and responsibility with her children, then 3, 5 and 6. They decided that they would start finding ways to put “character-into-action” every day. The results were amazing. Her children starting doing more and being more. They started to consider the needs of the world around them. Character and leadership we become more than lessons, they were becoming a lifestyle.

 

Smith knew she was on to something big when her almost-7-year-old son announced that he felt it was his “responsibility” to teach others to “respect” the environment. And then he began to do just that – he began to LEAD the effect he wanted! Realizing that she could – she must – do more than just teach her own children, Smith decided to do more than just be the changes she wished, she, too, began to lead the effect she desired with family, business and life by connecting families, empowering youth and creating communities of character that were ready to lead the effect they desired. Those communities are now seen across the nation through Character Clubs, Character Camps and more!

 
 

Character education specialist, certified life coach, speaker and award-winning author, Julie Watson Smith is a Leadership and Lifestyle Mentor dedicated to building strong communities of character that connect families and empower young people to become tomorrow's leaders today.
 

Having a passion for new experiences, Julie pursued a varied career as a “workplace gypsy” spending time in small business and program development; marketing; human services and counseling; high-tech sales; and music promotions with bands such No Doubt, Ice Cube, Cadillac Tramps and more. Gleaning an abundance of personal and professional awareness, Julie directed these insights into her own business.

 

Finding the freedom of being an entrepreneur a natural outlet for her creative, albeit chaotic, energy, Julie founded AgeLink Intergenerational Programs in 1996 and Mommy Hullabaloo in 2000. (The presence of both businesses is  evident in Julie’s products and programs.) In 2009, Julie launched Character, Inc, an organization dedicated to turning leadership into a lifestyle for families and businesses around the globe.

 

A dynamic and interactive speaker, Julie enjoys speaking to global audiences ontopics such as: Simple Steps to Connect Families, Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Cultivating your Community of Character. Today, Julie influences thousands of families and children through her sincere and candid approach.

 

Also a frequent columnist and award-winning author, Julie’s writing has been heralded as the “perfect blend of heart and humor.” Her first book, “Mommyhood Diaries: Living the Chaos One Day at a Time” (2005, Wyatt Mackenzie Publishing) received the Fresh Voices 2006 Book of the Year Award. She has also contributed to other books, such as “A Book Is Born” and the “Business Mom Guidebook.”

 

An influential family and business leadership and lifestyle mentor, Julie has been featured and quoted in several print and electronic mediums. She is the Education Examiner for Denver's Examiner.com. She is also a frequent radio and television guest including appearances on FOX Good Morning Colorado, KUSI San Diego and The Denver Channel, NBC’s Denver affiliate.

 

Julie, born near the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, has lived in throughout Ohio, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California (In fact, she has lived in over 57 different homes!). She now enjoys living near Boulder, Colorado, with her husband and three children.