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