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Johanna Eddy, CPA
Matthew Harrington, BCBA
How to Scale Your ABA Business: Financial & Marketing Strategies for Growth
Scaling an ABA business isn't just about taking on more clients—it requires a careful balance of financial planning, marketing strategies, and operational structure. Without the right systems in place, expansion can lead to burnout, financial losses, and even a decline in service quality.
In this blog, we’ll cover key takeaways from our latest episode of 3 Pie Squared - ABA Business Leaders, where Matt Harrington, BCBA (abadigitalmarketing.com) and Johanna Eddy, CPA (Margin Keepers) shared their insights on how ABA business owners can scale successfully.
1. The Financial Foundations of Scaling
According to Johanna Eddy, CPA, one of the biggest mistakes ABA business owners make is scaling too soon without a sound financial model. Before expanding, you should:
- Have at least 3-6 months of business expenses saved
- Ensure your rates cover payroll, overhead, and future raises
- Track accounts receivable, including both insurance and patient responsibility
- Understand your profit margins (aiming for 15-25% net profit over a 12-month period)
2. Marketing Strategies That Work for ABA Businesses
Matt Harrington, BCBA, emphasized that effective marketing is key to sustainable growth. Too often, ABA owners either ignore marketing because they have a waitlist or spend money on ineffective strategies.
💡 Cost-Effective Ways to Market Your ABA Business
- Local Outreach: Build relationships with pediatricians, SLPs, OTs, and psychologists.
- SEO & Content Marketing: Optimize your website with ABA-specific keywords.
- Paid Ads: Invest in targeted online advertising when ready to expand.
3. How to Know If You’re Ready to Scale
Not sure if now is the right time to expand? Here are clear signs that your ABA business is ready to scale:
- Your business has maintained consistent profitability (15-25% margin) over 12 months
- You have established processes for hiring, training, and billing
- Your waitlist includes verified, ready-to-launch clients
- You can afford a marketing budget to sustain growth
- You have a clear plan for delegation
4. Scaling Your ABA Business Without Losing Quality
Growth should never come at the expense of quality. Many ABA owners accidentally replicate the very business models they wanted to leave, leading to lower service quality and employee burnout.
✅ Tips for Sustainable Growth
- Set clear KPIs to monitor quality as you grow
- Invest in staff training to maintain ethical, high-quality care
- Use structured pay scales to ensure long-term financial stability
- Regularly audit your business operations to identify weaknesses before scaling
Join the ABA Business Leaders Community
Scaling your ABA practice is a complex but achievable goal—especially with the right support system in place.
🔹 Looking for expert guidance and exclusive resources? Join the ABA Business Leaders Membership for access to expert-led trainings, networking opportunities, and tools to help you grow your business.
🔹 Starting a practice or need help expanding? Download our free ABA Business Start-Up Checklist.
Final Thoughts
Scaling your ABA business requires a careful balance of financial planning, operational readiness, and effective marketing. By ensuring your business is financially stable, establishing strong marketing strategies, and maintaining high-quality services, you can expand successfully while staying true to your mission.
Ready to take the next step? Join the ABA Business Leaders Membership and connect with a community of experts to support your journey!
