In episode two of this six-part series, Joe Way welcomes back HETMA cofounder BC Hatchett for an honest conversation about what happens when a grassroots movement grows into something much bigger. What started as a bold idea to advocate for higher education in the AV industry has become a real business with real responsibility, real expectations, and real consequences. Together, Joe and BC reflect on the successes, the missteps, the personal and professional weight of leadership, and the reality that building something meaningful often comes with pressure, scars, and lessons learned the hard way.
This episode dives into the evolution of HETMA from a passionate startup community into a recognized force within the AV industry. Joe and BC talk candidly about reputation, sponsorship accountability, the burden of representing an entire vertical, and the personal growth required when your role shifts from organizer to leader. It is a conversation about advocacy, intentionality, business maturity, and the uncomfortable truth that sometimes success requires hard pivots, difficult self-awareness, and the willingness to outgrow your own early identity.
The conversation also explores what it means to advocate for yourself, your community, and your profession. Joe and BC unpack the tension between being visible and being divisive, between being liked and being respected, and between having fun while building something serious. They close by encouraging listeners to step out, take risks, and understand that growth is rarely smooth, but it is often worth it.
Along the way, the episode includes a fun “Hot or Not” segment covering topics like BYOD in learning environments, AI in cameras and microphones, classroom standardization, USB-C over HDMI, hiring for attitude over skill, whether leaders need to be experts, and why respect matters more than popularity.
Guest
BC Hatchett is the Director of Classroom Technology at Vanderbilt University and the co-founding partner alongside Joe Way in building HETMA. In this episode, he brings a grounded perspective on leadership, responsibility, and the challenges of turning vision into sustainable impact.
Connect with BC Hatchett:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bc-hatchett-88746312/
X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/bchatchett
