Finding Your Why: The Heart of ABA Business Ownership
In this special crossover episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast , April and Stephen sit down with Mike and Dan, the sharp, straight-talking hosts of ABA On Tap , for a conversation that’s equal parts honesty, humor, and hard truths.
Together, they peel back the curtain on ABA business ownership—beyond the marketing plans, startup spreadsheets, and credential checklists. What really matters? Your why . And if that foundation isn’t rock solid, your business might not be either.
Whether you’re a seasoned BCBA business owner or just thinking about launching your...
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own practice, this episode is a call to reflect, refocus, and reframe what success actually means in ABA.
Your “Why” Matters More Than Your Business Plan
It’s easy to get caught up in the mechanics of starting an ABA business—finding funding, navigating credentialing, setting up billing. But if you don’t know why you’re building this business in the first place, you’ll likely lose momentum (and maybe even your sanity) when the challenges start piling up.
Your why should guide every decision you make—from how you lead your team to the clients you serve. If it doesn’t, the work becomes transactional. You start chasing numbers instead of outcomes, and burnout follows close behind.
Not Every BCBA Needs to Be a Business Owner
One of the most important—and often unspoken—truths shared in this episode? Not everyone should run a business. And that’s okay.
Being a skilled clinician doesn’t automatically make you a skilled entrepreneur. Leadership, delegation, operations, systems—these require different muscles. Mike, Dan, April, and Stephen all share stories of BCBAs who felt called to “go solo,” only to realize they were running from bad bosses or chasing a version of success that didn’t align with their values.
Knowing when to say “this isn’t for me” is just as powerful as charging ahead.
Build a People-First Company (Yes, Even While Scaling)
It’s tempting to believe that you have to choose: people or profit. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Throughout the episode, the hosts share candid stories about building people-first ABA companies—where culture matters as much as cash flow. That starts with how you treat your RBTs. If they’re just a line item in your budget or a means to hit billable targets, you’re missing the point. Your team is the engine of your business. And if that engine is burning out, so is your mission.
When you lead with clarity and compassion, scaling doesn’t have to mean sacrificing.
Stop Obsessing Over Billables
Yes, revenue matters. But when you make billable hours the only metric that counts, you’re setting yourself—and your staff—up to fail.
This episode explores how an over-focus on productivity can actually kill your culture. It leads to corner-cutting, burnout, and resentment. And eventually, turnover.
Instead, the hosts suggest tracking what actually makes a great ABA practice: clinical outcomes, team satisfaction, client feedback, and alignment with your core values. Billables matter, but they shouldn’t be the only thing driving your business forward.
Final Thoughts
The message in this episode is clear: Before you build your ABA business, build your why . Let it guide you, especially when growth gets hard, decisions get messy, and priorities feel unclear.
Success isn’t just about expansion. It’s about building something meaningful, sustainable, and mission-driven—from the inside out.
🔗 Resources
✅ Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment Know where your practice stands—and what you need to fix 👉 https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment
✅ ABA Billing Tips Protect your revenue with smarter billing strategies 👉 https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips
✅ Book a Free Consult with Stephen Unfiltered, practical advice for ABA business owners 👉 https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page
✅ ABA Start-Up Checklist The essential roadmap for launching with clarity and confidence 👉 https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/the_aba_business_start_up_list
