In a business world that often places profit above all else, striking a balance between financial growth and social responsibility can feel like walking a tightrope. For Brandon Powell, CEO of HatchWorks AI, that tightrope has been both a challenge and a calling.

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, Brandon opens up about the journey that led him to build HatchWorks AI — an innovative software development company with delivery hubs across Latin America and a mission rooted in purpose. From humble beginnings and a fierce entrepreneurial spirit to bold pivots into AI and nonprofit work, Brandon’s story is a case study in what it means to lead with empathy, resilience, and values.

From Bootstrapped Beginnings to Global Vision

Brandon’s entrepreneurial path began young — starting his first business at 14 and learning the value of hard work under the guidance of a single mom. His professional career later took him into consulting and product leadership at Cricket Wireless before he founded HatchWorks eight years ago. What started as a local software firm has grown into a cross-border operation helping companies adopt and scale AI.

But growth wasn’t always smooth. Brandon shared candidly about the challenges of balancing rapid expansion with profitability — admitting that for a time, his passion for giving back outweighed financial discipline. “My heart was too big for the growth we were doing,” he said, recalling periods of fast growth but zero profits. That honesty became the turning point.

Redefining Success Through Purpose

Rather than compromise his values, Brandon recalibrated his leadership approach — focusing on both impact and sustainability. Today, HatchWorks operates under a clear purpose: to merge artificial and human intelligence in an inclusive and responsible way for all. That includes creating career pathways through AI education for underserved communities.

Through Hatch Futures, the company’s nonprofit arm, Brandon and his team have set a bold goal: train 1,000 educators across Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Colombia, and Costa Rica by 2030. “I believe AI can break poverty cycles,” he shared, underscoring the profound alignment between HatchWorks’ commercial mission and social vision.

A Strategic Advantage Rooted in Empathy

Brandon’s philosophy isn’t just rooted in ideals — it’s delivering real business results. HatchWorks maintains a 99% retention rate among its technical talent, an impressive feat in one of the most competitive sectors. The reason? Culture, purpose, and an unwavering focus on people.

It’s a recurring theme we see across The Bliss Business Podcast: companies that lead with empathy tend to outperform their peers. A recent study by Unilever found that purpose-driven brands like Dove and Seventh Generation were growing 50% faster than the rest of the portfolio. Similarly, research from Deloitte shows that 88% of consumers want brands to help them live more purpose-driven lives.

For Brandon, this insight is lived experience. “People want to work on something beyond themselves,” he said. “It’s not just about the paycheck — it’s about meaning, belonging, and impact.”

Creating a Win-Win-Win Culture

A key takeaway from the conversation was Brandon’s emphasis on what he calls “the art of the win-win-win.” It’s not just about what’s good for the business or the customer — but also for the broader community. His partnerships reflect this mindset, especially when it comes to working with schools and organizations aligned with HatchWorks’ social goals.

By tying social impact directly into HatchWorks’ strategic priorities, Brandon ensures purpose isn’t an afterthought. It’s one of the company’s “big hairy audacious goals” (BHAGs) for the year — right alongside profitability.

Final Thoughts: Leading with Love, Not Ego

When asked if love belongs in business, Brandon didn’t hesitate. “I love having a business,” he said, “because of what it allows me to do for others.” While he’s learned to detach his identity from his company, his commitment to leading with heart remains constant.

Brandon’s journey is a powerful reminder that purpose and profit don’t have to be at odds. With the right mindset, structure, and support, businesses can build cultures where people thrive, communities grow, and innovation flourishes.

Check out our full conversation with Brandon Powell on The Bliss Business Podcast.

Originally Featured on The Bliss Business Podcast Blog