When to Scale Your ABA Business: Insights from Local Owner Chris Robinson
Scaling an ABA business is a complex process that requires balancing leadership, staffing, and client needs. In a recent episode of ABA Business Leaders, we sat down with Chris Robinson, owner of ABYAY, and Maria Zito, the director, to discuss the challenges of growth and how to know when it’s the right time to scale.
Finding the Right Time to Grow
Chris and Maria shared that successful growth in ABA isn’t just about adding more clients—it’s about ensuring that BCBAs, RBTs, and leadership are aligned. Over the years, they’ve experienced both rapid expansion and unexpected setbacks, including staff turnover and even a wave of maternity leaves that tested their agency’s structure.
Key Lessons from Their Journey:
- Building a leadership team before scaling – Having strong directors and supervisors in place helped them navigate challenges without sacrificing quality.
- Maintaining a balance between BCBAs, RBTs, and clients – Too many cases with not enough staff can lead to burnout, turnover, and lower-quality care.
- Focusing on retention – Investing in staff check-ins, professional development, and a strong company culture helps keep the team engaged and reduces turnover.
- Prioritizing financial sustainability – Growth isn’t just about increasing revenue—it’s about ensuring that staffing costs align with reimbursement rates.
How to Get More Clients Without Losing Quality
One of the biggest challenges in 2025 for ABYAY is client acquisition. While they have a strong leadership team and capacity for more cases, finding the right clients—those who truly need intensive services—has been a focus.
Some of Their Top Strategies for Client Growth:
- Strengthening relationships with referral sources like pediatricians and diagnostic centers
- Engaging with the local community through autism walks and events
- Hosting educational trainings for parents and professionals to build brand trust
- Improving onboarding processes to reduce client drop-offs
Scaling Without Sacrificing Quality
Chris also emphasized that scaling isn’t just about getting bigger—it’s about doing it right. Their agency has prioritized quality over rapid expansion, ensuring that staff have manageable caseloads and strong support systems in place.
For ABA business owners looking to scale the right way, Chris and Maria’s advice is clear: invest in leadership, streamline operations, and grow intentionally.
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Learn More About ABYAY
Visit ABYAY to learn more about their ABA services and how they’re making a difference in their community.