Professionals in any field of business start their journey with some goal in mind. Whether the objective is to innovate and evolve their field, develop their own skill sets, or simply make money, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and expert professionals are all driven by specific desires, values, or philosophies. Some of the best of these are the professionals driven by a desire to make the world a better place, to positively impact their community, their industry, or others’ very lives.
For Will Hathaway, business has always been his way of helping others and creating positive change. An accomplished executive with a track record of building impactful partnerships and driving significant growth across the technology and media landscape, William Hathaway has long been inspired by the way new innovations can transform existing industries. From being a key player in the evolution of digital video, to helping news publications pivot to digital, to starting his own water filtration and treatment company, Hathaway’s career is one of transformation and positive impact.
This entrepreneurial journey is defined by a blend of strategic business acumen and genuine care for his fellow people, and it is demonstrative of Hathaway’s approach to life and leadership both in and out of the office. By creating opportunities, driving essential solutions, and building meaningful connections, Will Hathaway is able to turn business to the task of creating a better world.
Homegrown Inspiration and Career
Will Hathaway’s professional journey is heavily inspired by his parents’ experiences. The son of two local journalists, Hathaway was a first-hand witness to both the value of good journalism, and the slow collapse of the newspaper industry amidst the slow pivot to digital news. These news publications struggled to keep up with the global shift to digital-first and video news, and even those that did make the pivot often left their websites too under-monetized to survive. His own local newsroom at the Hartford Courant would close down as a result of these issues, ending a newspaper that had been in publication since 1764.
This struggle would largely define his early career, as upon entering the professional world, Hathaway joined as a founding member of a video technology company explicitly to help these publications survive. Not only did these measures succeed, they exceeded expectations; that company now powers the video for some of the world’s biggest publishers, including Gannett, Hearst Newspapers, News Corp, and more. Hearst Newspapers specifically was the company’s first tier-1 client, which changed the trajectory of Will Hathaway’s career, and let the business’ success snowball into what it is today. Of course, these same benefits and services are enjoyed by local news publications nation-wide—Hathaway wouldn’t be satisfied if they didn’t.
These early career experiences helped Hathaway define what success in business looked like to him, and that definition would guide his future business endeavors. Financial metrics and accolades were great, and remain so today, but they aren’t the main thing Hathaway is after with his work. His main metrics for success are simple: make a positive impact on the world, and fulfill his purpose to the greatest extent possible. It’s these goals that have led him to found his own water filtration company, with the goal of revolutionizing access to clean drinking water free of contaminants like microplastics.
“It's about creating a product and a company that contributes to a healthier society and makes a real difference in people's lives,” Hathaway explains. “If my company achieves that, then I will consider it a success, regardless of the size of our market share or the valuation of the company.”
Guiding Values and Role Models
Helping others has been part of William Hathaway’s core personality his entire life. From talking his best friend down from a mental health crisis, to pursuing career paths designed to bolster critical industries like local journalism, it’s clear that he’s working from a firm set of core values both personally and professionally. Honesty, kindness, and growth are core values that guide his relationships and career choices, while his dedication to excellence, innovation, and impact are clear through the quality and intensity of his work.
“I believe in doing things well, constantly seeking better solutions, and ensuring my work contributes positively to the world around me,” he says.
His entrepreneurship is inspired heavily by the life and career of Barara Corcoran, who took a challenging academic background and built a real estate empire from it, despite various obstacles like dyslexia. Her resilience, street-smart approach, and practicality are things Hathaway seeks to emulate in his own entrepreneurship. Valuing experience and attitude, and building meaningful relationships, are things Hathaway deems crucial for long term success.
“her emphasis on building a strong team and fostering a positive work environment is something I believe is crucial for long-term success and aligns with the kind of company culture I want to create,” says Hathaway. “Ultimately, her story is a powerful reminder that with determination and a focus on people, significant achievements are possible.”
Keeping Steady While Pursuing Change
Any professional, entrepreneur, or subject matter expert that’s trying to change the world for the better, or even just innovate in their field, is going to be very busy. It’s easy for passionate entrepreneurs to overextend themselves and make simple mistakes, get worn down, or suffer from burnout. Managing that stress and keeping healthy is something that Will Hathaway takes very seriously. The secret, for him, is not to try and avoid stress entirely—that’d be nearly impossible—but to develop health coping mechanisms and support systems.
“This includes trusted advisors, mentors, and personal connections with whom I can share challenges and seek advice,” he says. “I also believe in embracing flexibility; being adaptable and willing to adjust my schedule when needed is important. However, this flexibility is balanced with a commitment to protecting dedicated personal time as much as possible.”
Personal time is important to rest and recharge. From individual activities like reading and working out, to group activities like playing tennis or spending time with his family, these non-work activities are non-negotiable to Hathaway’s well-being. As his company grows, and he’s able to delegate tasks effectively to other members of the team, maintaining a sustainable work-life balance should get easier and easier. Until then, he’ll just make sure to enjoy the tennis, skiing, and basketball that brings him needed peace.
