Back to Basics: Financial Planning for Your ABA Business

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and April sit down with Shep from Live Oak Bank to simplify the world of ABA Finance, ABA funding, and smart financial planning for your ABA practice. Whether you are launching a new clinic or expanding your services, this conversation helps you understand how banks evaluate your business and what you need to secure the right bank loans.

Shep explains how Live Oak partners with ABA providers, why accurate financial planning matters from day one, and what lenders look for when assessing SBA loans. He also highlights the difference between a loan and a line of credit, and the early financial challenges most ABA practices underestimate.

The episode covers what makes an ABA startup loan-ready, how business plans influence approval, and when it may be possible to borrow without personal guarantees. Shep also touches on choosing the right real estate options and avoiding unnecessary financial strain as you grow.

Whether you are preparing to open your first location or planning long-term expansion, this episode provides clear guidance on strengthening your financial foundation.

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

Resources & Links

• Business Essentials List

• Schedule a consultation with Stephen

• Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment

• ABA Billing Tips Guide

• ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs

ABA Business Leaders Podcast — Hosted by Stephen Smith & Johanna Eddy

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and Johanna Eddy break down one of the most challenging (but most important) parts of running an ABA practice: finance. Whether you’re a new ABA provider or operating an established ABA organization, this conversation walks you through the key financial systems that keep an ABA business stable, compliant, and ready for growth.

Key Takeaways

✔ Accurate Bookkeeping Is Non-Negotiable

Before you can plan, grow, or even file taxes properly, you need clean, consistent books. Stephen and Johanna discuss why accurate bookkeeping is the backbone of every financial decision an ABA owner makes.

✔ Know Your Tax Structure

Your entity type determines how you’re taxed — and potentially how much you owe. The hosts break down common structures, what deductions business owners typically overlook, and how health insurance affects tax planning.

✔ Quarterly Taxes Don’t Have to Be Confusing

Johanna explains how quarterly payments work, common misconceptions, and strategies for staying ahead of unexpected tax bills.

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

Resources

🎧 Podcast CEU’s: ABA Business Leaders Podcast — Hosted by Stephen Smith & Johanna Eddy

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and Johanna Eddy break down one of the most challenging (but most important) parts of running an ABA practice: finance. Whether you’re a new ABA provider or operating an established ABA organization, this conversation walks you through the key financial systems that keep an ABA business stable, compliant, and ready for growth.

Key Takeaways

✔ Accurate Bookkeeping Is Non-Negotiable

Before you can plan, grow, or even file taxes properly, you need clean, consistent books. Stephen and Johanna discuss why accurate bookkeeping is the backbone of every financial decision an ABA owner makes.

✔ Know Your Tax Structure

Your entity type determines how you’re taxed — and potentially how much you owe. The hosts break down common structures, what deductions business owners typically overlook, and how health insurance affects tax planning.

✔ Quarterly Taxes Don’t Have to Be Confusing

Johanna explains how quarterly payments work, common misconceptions, and strategies for staying ahead of unexpected tax bills.

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

Resources

🎧 Podcast CEU’s:

👉 ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEU’s

🧾 Check your business readiness:

👉 ABA Business Readiness Assessment

Learn more about MarginKeepers: Visit MarginKeepers

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

Back to Basics: Emergencies!

Sponsored by MarginKeepers – specialized accounting and consulting for ABA providers.

Learn more: MarginKeepers Affiliate Link

Running an ABA business comes with unique challenges — and emergencies can strike at any time. In this episode, April and Stephen discuss how ABA business owners can stay prepared, keep operations running smoothly, and protect both staff and clients when unexpected events occur.

Key Topics Covered:

• Emergencies as a Solo ABA Business Owner Tips for managing critical tasks when you’re the only one in charge and an emergency hits.

• Continuity of Operations How to create a simple, actionable continuity plan that ensures your business continues to function during disruptions.

• Scaling and Staffing Challenges The importance of structuring your team correctly, including ensuring BCBAs are employees rather than contractors, and how high staff turnover can complicate emergency response.

• Delegation and Access Strategies for documenting responsibilities, giving employees decision-making authority, and ensuring access to critical systems.

• Emergency Procedures During Business Sale or Growth Why procedures can fall out of date during transitions and how to maintain readiness for any situation.

Takeaways:

• Emergencies are inevitable, but preparation is within your control.

• Clear documentation, delegation, and structured systems make your ABA business resilient.

• Financial and operational clarity are key to surviving and thriving during unexpected events.

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

Resources

🎧 Podcast CEU’s:

👉 ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEU’s

🧾 Check your business readiness:

👉 ABA Business Readiness Assessment

Learn more about MarginKeepers: Visit MarginKeepers

In this Back to Basics episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen and April Smith dive into one of the most overlooked parts of running an ABA business: professional boundaries.

From saying “no” when needed to building time for self-care, they explore how boundaries aren’t just about protecting your time. They’re about protecting your ability to lead well and avoid burnout.

Key Takeaways:

Reflecting on Leadership When stepping into leadership, many ABA business owners forget to stop and think about what leading actually means. Stephen and April discuss how easy it is to wear every hat in the beginning, and how that can quickly lead to exhaustion if you don’t set limits early.

Self-Care Isn’t Optional April shares her simple but powerful strategy for staying balanced: setting alarms to eat lunch, take breaks, and step away from the desk. These reminders keep you grounded and help prevent burnout. Leadership starts with taking care of yourself.

Learning to Say No Saying “yes” to everything often leads to blurred boundaries and mental fatigue. April talks about her own experience with overcommitting and how learning to say “no” has helped her protect her time and stay focused on what truly matters.

Managing Your Caseload Wisely Not all clients are the same. Stephen and April explain why it’s important to be mindful of both the number and type of clients you take on. Taking too much work, or too many high-need clients, can hurt your energy and the quality of care you provide.

Recalibrating Your Role Starting an ABA business is hard work. April discusses how becoming an effective leader means shifting from being a great BCBA to being a great business owner. It’s a learning process that takes patience, reflection, and adaptability.

Boundaries and the Helper Mindset Stephen points out that most BCBAs are natural helpers who want to take on as much as possible so people can get the support they need. But without boundaries, that good intention can lead to burnout. Setting limits keeps you sustainable and effective in the long run.

Episode Summary:

Boundaries are the framework that helps your ABA business grow in a healthy way. In this episode, Stephen and April share real experiences and insights on how to protect your time, energy, and leadership capacity by setting strong professional boundaries.

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

📚 Resources & Links:

🧾 Business Essentials List

💼 Schedule a consultation with Stephen

🧠 Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment

💳 ABA Billing Tips Guide 🎧 ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen and April Smith get back to basics. They break down the key steps for setting up your ABA business the right way — from licensing and ownership rules to credit card strategies and company naming pitfalls.

It’s a practical, down-to-earth conversation full of lessons learned and advice every ABA business owner should hear — whether you’re just starting out or getting ready to grow.

Key Takeaways

• Get your licenses in order. Many ABA businesses need multiple permits depending on their services and state. Don’t skip this step — it can save you big headaches later.
• Check ownership laws. States like New York (and soon Illinois) require practices to be owned by licensed professionals. Always confirm with an advisor before registering your business.
• Pick a smart name. Your business name and professional email setup can shape first impressions and help you stand out.
• Use credit cards wisely. When insurance payments lag, a business credit card can help you smooth out cash flow.
• Plan for growth. As your business expands, your systems, policies, and even your insurance coverage need to evolve too.
• Document your changes. Keeping notes on what’s working and what’s not makes it easier to delegate and improve operations as you grow.

Sponsored by Live Oak Bank

This episode is sponsored by Live Oak Bank — the go-to financial partner for ABA providers. Live Oak offers flexible lending and specialized healthcare financing to help your business grow responsibly.

👉 Learn more here: https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/live-oak-bank

Resources & Links

📋 The Essential List for a Successful Business Your checklist for building a strong ABA foundation: 👉 https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

🎧 ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs Earn CEUs while you learn:

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

💼 ABA Business Readiness Assessment Find out if your ABA business is ready to scale:

👉 https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

💡 ABA Billing Tips Simple tips to keep your cash flow strong:

👉 https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

🗓 Book a Consultation with Stephen Smith Get expert advice for your ABA business:

👉 https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

Want to Get in Touch?

Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline at (737) 330-1432 — they’d love to hear from you!

Description

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen and April Smith break down one of the most critical — and often misunderstood — parts of running an ABA business: billing.

From choosing between in-house and outsourced billing to understanding payer contracts, they explore the practical steps that help your clinic stay compliant, efficient, and profitable. Stephen and April share hard-earned lessons about reading contracts carefully, negotiating rates, maintaining control over your billing process, and tracking denials to spot inefficiencies before they snowball.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to clean up your current systems, this episode will help you take a closer look at your billing practices and ensure your business’s financial health is as strong as your clinical outcomes.

Key Takeaways

Your billing setup isn’t permanent. You can start in-house and later outsource—or vice versa. What matters is choosing the system that best fits your growth stage.

Always read your contracts. Never sign a payer agreement without understanding every clause, rate, and responsibility. Every business partner should be knowledgeable about what they’re agreeing to.

Know your minimum rates. Rate negotiation might not happen in your first contract, but understanding what you can’t afford to accept is vital to staying sustainable.

You can’t hand off full control. As April puts it, “Nobody will care about billing as much as you do.” Even if you delegate billing tasks, you need oversight and involvement to prevent problems.

Track patterns and denials. Billing data tells a story—watching for repeated denials or errors helps you catch process issues before they become expensive.

Clean billing builds value. When it comes time to sell your ABA business, well-organized, transparent billing records will give potential buyers confidence and increase your valuation.

Sponsored by Silna

This episode is sponsored by Silna, the first-ever Care Readiness Platform built specifically for ABA.

Silna automates prior authorizations, benefit checks, and insurance monitoring to ensure your patients are financially cleared for care before sessions begin. Operating in 45+ states and serving over 50,000 patients, Silna helps ABA providers save thousands of hours by verifying eligibility, tracking expiring authorizations, and using AI to complete and submit all ABA-related authorization types.

👉 Learn more about how Silna can help you spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork: https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/silna

Resources & Links

Stay ahead with practical insights from the ABA Business Leaders Podcast:

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

Wondering how to start an ABA business or how to know your ABA business is ready to scale? Take the free ABA Business Readiness Assessment:

👉 https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

Need straightforward ABA billing tips to keep your cash flow healthy? Grab the quick guide here:

👉 https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen and April Smith take it back to basics with a deep dive into one of the most overlooked but critical foundations of any ABA practice — policies and procedures.

From compliance and hiring to accountability and growth, Stephen and April break down why written policies aren’t just “paperwork,” but the structure that keeps your business legal, consistent, and scalable.

Whether you’re just getting started or refreshing an existing clinic, this episode is a must-listen for any ABA business owner serious about long-term success.

Key Takeaways

• Compliance isn’t optional. Follow your state’s laws and regulations — even if past employers didn’t.

• Policies help you hire better. Great staff want structure and clarity from day one.

• Get it out of your head. Your policies are the written version of your values and vision.

• Skip the AI shortcuts. Automated policies can miss crucial legal and ethical details.

• Follow through matters. Policies only work if you actually enforce them.

• Keep them alive. Review and update your policies monthly to stay current and consistent.

Sponsored by MarginKeepers

This episode is proudly sponsored by MarginKeepers — the go-to accounting and consulting team for ABA providers who want clean books, strong margins, and peace of mind.

👉 Learn more here: https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/MarginKeepers

Resources & Links

Stay ahead with practical insights from the ABA Business Leaders Podcast:

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

Wondering how to start an ABA business or how to know your ABA business is ready to scale? Take the free ABA Business Readiness Assessment:

👉 https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

Need straightforward ABA billing tips to keep your cash flow healthy? Grab the quick guide here:

👉 https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

Get in Touch

Got a question or topic you’d love Stephen and April to cover? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432