Back to Basics: Building Relationships That Last

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts April and Stephen Smith explore one of the most important parts of growing a healthy ABA business: the people you bring into it. They dig into hiring, leadership, mentorship, and the communication habits that help an ABA therapy organization run smoothly over the long term.

Whether you're in the early stages of building your ABA team or preparing to step back from daily operations, this episode gives you a clearer picture of how strong relationships and intentional hiring can shape the future of your business.

Key Takeaways

Hiring Should Push You Outside Your Comfort Zone

April opens up about how ego sometimes gets in the way of the hiring process. ABA business owners often avoid hiring someone who might outperform them, but growth happens when you surround yourself with people who strengthen your weaknesses. She uses a “mom friend” analogy to show the value of having support from people at different stages of the journey.

Different Thinkers Make Better ABA Teams

Stephen and April talk about the importance of hiring people who think differently. When you intentionally build a diverse team, you bring in new ideas, new angles, and more well-rounded decision-making. For ABA organizations trying to grow sustainably, these differences lead to stronger outcomes for both staff and clients.

Your Values Should Guide Every Hiring Decision

Stephen emphasizes that hiring becomes much harder when you don’t have a clear vision for your ABA business. Your long-term goals should show up in your job postings, interview questions, and onboarding. When your values are clear, you attract the right people from the start.

Onboarding Is a Two-Way Learning Experience

Onboarding isn’t just training. It’s a chance for both sides to learn whether the role, the expectations, and the culture are a good match. April and Stephen highlight how the early stages of onboarding help set the tone for communication, mentorship, and long-term success in your ABA therapy practice.

A Strong Culture Comes From Honest Conversation

You can only spend so much time shaping culture, but fostering open communication is one of the most powerful tools you have. When your team feels comfortable discussing challenges, asking questions, and offering feedback, you start building relationships that last and support stronger outcomes across your ABA therapy organization.

📞 Have a question for Stephen and April?

Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

📚 Resources & Links

🧾 Business Essentials List: https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

💼 Book a consultation with Stephen: https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

🧠 ABA Business Readiness Assessment: https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

💳 ABA Billing Tips Guide: https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

🎧 ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs:

https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

Back to Basics: Building for Growth

In this Back to Basics episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen and April Smith unpack what it really takes to grow an ABA business without burning yourself out in the process.

From breaking inefficient systems before they break you to understanding your true capacity as a leader, this episode focuses on the practical, behind-the-scenes work that makes sustainable growth possible. If scaling your ABA business feels overwhelming, this conversation gives you a roadmap for doing it with intention and clarity.

Key Takeaways

Systems Are the Foundation of Success

April and Stephen remind listeners that growth isn’t about working harder — it is about building systems that work even when things get tough. If your business has solid processes in place, you’re already ahead. Without systems, every challenge feels like an emergency. With them, you can scale with confidence and clarity.

Grow With Intention by Knowing the “Why"

Important requirements like CPR training or employee handbooks are often overlooked when you’re growing fast. April emphasizes the importance of understanding the “why” behind these systems, not just ticking boxes. When you know why each piece matters, your growth becomes purposeful and much more stable.

Build a Business That Can Survive Without You

If you want to sell your ABA business someday, or even simply step back, it must be able to grow without you constantly pushing it forward. Stephen talks about how vital it is to build a company structure that can function independently. Long-term sustainability depends on replacing heroics with systems.

From understanding your limits to building a business that can thrive without you, this conversation is a must-listen for any ABA entrepreneur preparing for the next phase.

This episode is sponsored by Live Oak Bank. Live Oak offers specialized loan solutions tailored to the unique needs of ABA businesses. As America’s premier SBA lender, they’ve helped thousands of small businesses secure financing for acquisitions, real estate, construction, expansion, and partner buyouts. Their team works with you to craft financial solutions that align with your business goals.

📞 Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

📚 Resources & Links:

🏦 Live Oak Affiliate Link: https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/live-oak-bank

🧾 Business Essentials List: https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

💼 Schedule a consultation with Stephen: https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page 🧠 ABA Business Readiness Assessment: https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

💳 ABA Billing Tips Guide: https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

🎧 ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs: https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

Sponsored by SILNA This episode is proudly sponsored by SILNA, a platform helping ABA providers navigate compliance, resources, and advocacy in the field.

👉 Learn more

Episode Summary

Success looks different for every ABA business owner, especially as your company grows. April and Stephen discuss how to define and measure success when starting out, how your definition evolves over time, and strategies to grow your ABA business with intention and purpose.

Key Topics Covered

• Defining Success When Starting Out Early-stage success might mean keeping clients happy and managing billing effectively. April shares how your success metrics will evolve as your business grows.

• Knowing Your Why Establishing your purpose helps guide decisions. April explains that even an informal sense of direction is enough to measure progress.

• What Do You Want to Avoid? Stephen suggests that success can also come from identifying what failure looks like and what kind of business you don’t want to run.

• Finding a Healthy Work Rhythm Work-life balance isn’t always realistic. Enjoying your work and creating sustainable habits is a better measure of success.

• Growing with Intention Metrics matter, but they shouldn’t overshadow your purpose. April and Stephen discuss aligning growth with your mission.

• Making Success Visible Systems, culture, and structure should clearly reflect your business success, especially if you plan to sell or step back from day-to-day operations.

Takeaways

• Success in ABA evolves over time.

• Align growth with your purpose and mission.

• Metrics should support your goals, not define them.

• A well-run business shows visible, intentional success.

Resources & Links

🎧 Podcast CEUs: ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEU’s

📊 Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment: ABA Business Readiness Assessment

💰 ABA Billing Tips Guide: ABA Billing Tips

Get in Touch

Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432