353: From Grassroots to Gravity with BC Hatchett

353: From Grassroots to Gravity with BC Hatchett

From Higher Ed AV Podcast with Joe Way by Joe Way

April 14, 2026 · 54 min · Episode 353

About this episode

Joe Way and BC Hatchett discuss the evolution of HETMA from a grassroots movement to a significant player in the AV industry.

353: From Grassroots to Gravity with BC Hatchett Higher Ed AV Podcast with Joe Way 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…

People in this episode

Host: Joe Way

Guest: BC Hatchett

Topics covered

  • grassroots movement
  • AV industry
  • leadership
  • advocacy
  • business growth
  • community

Keywords

  • HETMA
  • AV industry
  • leadership
  • advocacy
  • business maturity
  • community growth

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HETMA

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