In this article, Julie Read shares how she defines community across different layers, from chosen relationships to intentional spaces like Habituelle. Through her perspective, we see how community can shape identity, deepen connection, and offer grounding in moments that matter most.
The Moment Community Found Her When She Needed It Most
What does community mean to you, Julia, and how has it helped you along your journey so far?
I think about community in three buckets. The first is your friends and family, the people who are part of your life either by circumstance or by choice. I also think about communities that are created through structure and circumstance, shaped by identity and shared experiences. Then there are intentional communities, like Habituelle, where people are brought together with purpose.
My experience with community at the most foundational level was my chosen family, the friend group I built in college. When I thought about this question, I reflected on when community really became a major touchstone in my life. It was when I came out in my early 30s. That was the first time I experienced community in a way I did not create. It showed up for me in a powerful way and supported me through a major shift in my identity.
It felt like this network appeared that I did not even know existed. There were people like me who I had not seen before, and that was incredibly meaningful. That is something I came to understand more over time as part of a larger cultural and structural system.
One of the things I value most about community is that kind of support, the kind you do not even know is there until you need it. I think there is a real power in that. When I think about Habituelle, I also think about the importance of saying, I see that you are part of this community, let’s grab coffee. There is a shared experience and mindset, and that makes connection feel more immediate and meaningful.
Choosing a Life That Feels Right—Right Now
What is your definition of success today?
Today, success is living a life that I truly love. That does not mean I love every single task in my day, but it means the overall intention of my life feels aligned with who I am and what I want.
I am not someone who wants to save everything for retirement or work endlessly now just to enjoy life later. When I think about success, it is really about asking, am I living true to who I am today, and can I continue to do that tomorrow and the next day. When the answer is no, I make a change.
I also believe success evolves. What I want today may not be what I want in 10 years, but I can look back and know that I was being true to myself at each stage. Even if I have changed, I can respect who I was at that time.
Taking Care of Yourself Before Taking On the World
What are the habits that you have that allow you to get to where you are and reach that definition of success?
I am a big believer in fueling my mind and body first. I wake up early, meditate, and go to the gym. I try to start the day with a clear mind.
I do deal with anxiety, so I use tools that help calm that and allow me to show up with a lighter mindset. When I think about moving toward success, I focus on making sure I am taken care of first before stepping into work or relationships.
That has also been an important lesson in my personal life. My partner is not there to solve what is going on internally for me. We are coming together as two individuals. So I focus on showing up in integrity first, and then moving into whatever the rest of the day brings.
You Don’t Find the Right Decision, You Make It Right
What do you think keeps women from leaning into opportunities that might be risky, and how do we help women take more bold steps?
I think part of it is cultural. There is often a prescribed idea of what success should look like, usually tied to money or power, and that can limit people. There is also a natural fear and risk aversion when trying something new.
There are real structural challenges as well. In the U.S., there are not always strong support systems in place, which can make taking risks feel even more difficult.
I think it helps to connect with people who have already taken those steps. Hearing their stories and learning practical ways to reduce risk can make things feel more possible.
At some point, though, it comes down to making a decision. You decide to do something, and then you build around that decision. I really believe in the idea that you do not find the right decision, you make the decision right.
It is also important to recognize that progress happens step by step. You move through different doors, and each one presents new options. The path is not linear, and that is part of the process.
When Alignment Matters More Than Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
What would you say is a hard lesson that you have had to learn so far in your journey?
I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I have had to learn to be more thoughtful about who I extend that to.
I try to treat everything as a learning experience, but there have been times when people have not followed through in the way I expected. Now I take in information more carefully and do not always act on it right away. I may test something in a smaller way first before applying it to a bigger situation.
I am also more intentional about who I choose to work with. If someone does not align with my values, I step away. That is something I am still refining.
Forget the Perfect Path, Focus on Daily Integrity
If you could give younger Julie advice, what would it be?
Stay the course and change nothing. I would not be where I am today without everything I have experienced, both the good and the challenging.
I would also remind myself that the path is not linear. Instead of focusing on a perfect trajectory, I would focus on daily integrity. Am I living the life I truly want, and am I being honest with myself about that?
About Julie Read
Julie Read helps leadership teams build strong, healthy organizations by blending structure, clarity, and human insight to the decisions that matter most. After five years at EOS Worldwide, where she led projects and then the company’s software product to a $1.5M first-year launch, she brings deep, firsthand mastery of EOS in action. Known for her strategic focus and steady presence, Julie helps teams see what’s really happening beneath the surface, make better decisions faster, and work together with confidence and momentum.
