ABA Business Leaders

Join us as we dive deep into the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) , exploring real-world challenges and practical strategies to improve the quality, ethics, and sustainability of ABA services. Hosted by April & Stephen, the team behind 3 Pie Squared , each episode brings actionable insights for practice owners, clinicians, and leaders in the field—whether you’re just getting started or scaling your business. Expect candid conversations, expert interviews, and honest advice about supervision, billing, hiring, training, compliance, and more. Our goal? To help you build an ABA practice that serves clients ethically and effectively—while supporting your team and growing your business with purpose. 🔗 Learn more about our courses, handbooks, and consulting services at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.3piesquar

ABA Business Leaders is a business podcast hosted by Stephen Smith, with 218 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Stephen Smith hosts ABA Business Leaders, a business show with 218 episodes published.

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  Episode #3

  What Does Quality ABA Really Look Like? Building Better Systems with Jumpstart Autism

  Sep 17, 202647 minS6

  Welcome back to the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, brought to you by 3 Pie Squared. In this episode, Stephen and April Smith are joined by Brian Lopez and Kara Batson of Jumpstart Autism Collective for a practical conversation about what quality really means in ABA services and how business owners can build systems that support it. Brian, Director of Psychological Services and Research, shares how Jumpstart evolved from a sole-provider practice into a more structured organization. Kara, Director of Professional Development, explains how that same commitment to continuous improvement shaped the company's training, internship, feedback, and quality-assurance systems. The conversation explores why quality is never a finished product. From setting a clear vision and building repeatable systems to creating a culture of candid feedback, measuring clinician competency, narrowing the populations you serve, and learning when to step out of the way as an owner, the team shares lessons developed through years of iteration. In this episode, you'll learn: How to turn vision into clinical and operational systems Why failure, measurement, and iteration drive quality improvement How interdisciplinary consultation supports complex learners and clinicians How values and feedback shape company culture How to identify systems vs. training issues How Jumpstart built a structured BCBA internship Why a focused client population can improve quality and training How owners can build trust, delegate, and step out of daily decisions Why self-assessment and humility matter in leadership Resources & Links Business Essentials List https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24?utm_source=chatgpt.com ABA Business Leaders Support Group https://forms.office.com/r/cigPR8wFFC?utm_source=chatgpt.com Schedule a Consultation with Stephen https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page?utm_source=chatgpt.com Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment?utm_source=chatgpt.com ABA Billing Tips Guide https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips?utm_source=chatgpt.com ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs?utm_source=chatgpt.com Podcast Production This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio. Get in touch with MKM Audio https://www.mkmaudio.com/contact?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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  Episode #2

  The Only Practice Management System You'll Ever Need

  Sep 9, 202656 minS6

  Welcome back to the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, brought to you by 3 Pie Squared. In this episode, Stephen and April Smith are joined by Taylor Beagle, BCBA and Director of Product Experience at 3 Pie Squared, to officially introduce 3 Pie Squared's new ABA practice management software. Built from the ground up with input from BCBAs and people who have worked inside ABA practices, the platform is designed around the real operational and clinical challenges ABA business owners, and their teams face every day. Taylor brings 10 years of ABA experience to the product, having worked his way from RBT through roles including trainer, BCBA, assistant director, and clinical director. In this conversation, he joins Stephen and April to explain how that experience helped shape a platform built specifically for the needs of ABA providers. From managing your waitlist and client intake to scheduling, billing, data collection, documentation, parent communication, staff permissions, and training, the episode explores how 3 Pie Squared is bringing the systems needed to run an ABA practice together in one place. In this episode, you'll learn: -Why 3 Pie Squared decided to build its own ABA practice management software -How Taylor's experience from RBT to clinical director influenced the platform -Why building the software with direct input from BCBAs matters -How the platform helps organize waitlists and streamline client intake -How centralized, HIPAA-compliant messaging can improve communication with families and staff Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432 Have a question, a story to share, or a recruiting nightmare you'd like Stephen and April to discuss on the podcast? Give them a call. Resources & Links Business Essentials List https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24?utm_source=chatgpt.com ABA Business Leaders Support Group https://forms.office.com/r/cigPR8wFFC?utm_source=chatgpt.com Schedule a Consultation with Stephen https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page?utm_source=chatgpt.com Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment?utm_source=chatgpt.com ABA Billing Tips Guide https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips?utm_source=chatgpt.com ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs?utm_source=chatgpt.com Podcast Production This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio. Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Get in touch with MKM Audio https://www.mkmaudio.com/contact?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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  Episode #31

  Hiring the Right People: Building a Stronger ABA Team with Joseph Bolden

  Sep 3, 20261h 5mS5

  Welcome back to the ABA Business Leaders Podcast , brought to you by 3 Pie Squared. In this episode, Stephen and April sit down with Joseph Bolden, Head of Recruiting at 3 Pie Squared , to take a deep dive into one of the biggest challenges facing ABA business owners: finding, hiring, and retaining the right people. The wrong hire can create operational problems, impact your existing team, increase turnover, and ultimately affect the families you serve. On the other hand, taking the time to identify the right person and build a strong hiring process can create a healthier culture and give owners more room to grow. Stephen, April, and Joseph discuss everything from writing better job descriptions and using platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn to understanding what candidates want from their next opportunity. In this episode, you'll learn: Why hiring for an ABA company requires more than simply checking someone's credentials How Joseph's background in ABA operations shaped his approach to recruiting Why the needs of a startup can be very different from those of an established ABA practice The importance of understanding company culture before hiring Why a strong clinical background doesn't necessarily mean someone is ready to lead a team Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432 Have a question, a story to share, or a recruiting nightmare you'd like Stephen and April to discuss on the podcast? Give them a call. Resources & Links Business Essentials List https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24?utm_source=chatgpt.com ABA Business Leaders Support Group https://forms.office.com/r/cigPR8wFFC?utm_source=chatgpt.com Schedule a Consultation with Stephen https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page?utm_source=chatgpt.com Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment?utm_source=chatgpt.com ABA Billing Tips Guide https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips?utm_source=chatgpt.com ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs?utm_source=chatgpt.com Podcast Production This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio. Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Get in touch with MKM Audio https://www.mkmaudio.com/contact?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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  Episode #30

  The Joy of Running an ABA Business: Finding Meaning in the Day-to-Day

  Aug 27, 202645 minS5

  Running an ABA business can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be demanding. Between operational challenges, leadership responsibilities, staffing, and the constant needs of the people you serve, it can be easy to lose sight of what made you want to do this work in the first place. In our final episode of National Wellness Month, April and Stephen explore what it means to rediscover and protect the joy of running an ABA business. They talk openly about the ways stress and routine can take over, and how intentional practices can help business owners reconnect with their purpose. April and Stephen share personal experiences, mindset shifts, and practical strategies for finding more meaning in the everyday moments of business ownership. From paying attention to your energy and tracking what brings you joy to practicing mindfulness and gratitude, this conversation offers a reminder that building a successful ABA business doesn't have to mean losing the enjoyment that comes with it. Key Topics & Insights Why joy can get lost in the day-to-day demands of running an ABA business How to reconnect with your purpose and remember your "why" Why joy doesn't always happen naturally and how to intentionally create space for it April's approach to tracking joy and identifying what brings energy into your life Stephen's perspective on finding meaning in the mundane parts of business ownership Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432 Resources & Links Business Essentials List The Essential List for a Successful Business ABA Business Leaders Support Group Join the ABA Business Leaders Support Group Schedule a Consultation with Stephen Schedule a consultation with Stephen Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment Take the Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment ABA Billing Tips Guide Get the ABA Billing Tips Guide ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs Learn More About ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio. Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Get in touch with MKM Audio

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  Episode #29

  National Wellness Month: Building Better Workplaces in ABA

  Aug 20, 202648 minS5

  As part of National Wellness month, we’re re-airing some classic older episodes which look at Mental Health, Burnout and more. In one of our most insightful episodes to date, we welcomed Chris, Liz, and Rebecca from AByay! to the ABA Business Leaders Podcast to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the real, day-to-day experience of being a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in the ABA field. RBTs are often the unsung heroes of ABA. They’re the ones in homes, schools, and clinics, putting in the time, building the relationships, and helping clients make meaningful progress. And yet, they’re frequently left out of bigger-picture conversations, under-supported, and emotionally drained. What Advocacy Looks Like for RBTs: What does it mean for an RBT to speak up in a field where power dynamics can be steep? The AByay! team shared strategies for setting boundaries, asking for feedback, and pushing for the support RBTs deserve without burning bridges or burning out. The Role of Joy and Preferred Stimuli: April touched on how this is often overlooked, but also an important part of practice. Even though this varies from tech to tech, Rebecca shared helpful insight on how to motivate engagement. The Emotional Weight of RBT Work: This episode dives into how RBTs can sustain themselves emotionally and how businesses can stop treating RBT turnover as a part of the process. Final Thoughts If you're an RBT: this episode is your permission to take up space and advocate for your needs. If you're a BCBA or business owner: this is your call to examine your systems, your culture, and your leadership style. 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 ABA Business Leaders Support Group: https://forms.office.com/r/cigPR8wFFC Schedule a consultation with Stephen https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page Free 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 This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Reach out here: https://www.mkmaudio.com/contact

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