Podcast Episode: Building Ethical, Sustainable ABA Businesses with April and Stephen Smith

In this episode of In the Field: The ABA Podcast, I chat with April and Stephen Smith of 3 Pie Squared, two seasoned ABA entrepreneurs who built, scaled, and exited a seven-figure practice—and now dedicate their time to helping others do the same. Whether you're a BCBA navigating job offers or a founder shaping your company culture, this episode is packed with insights about building workplaces that are ethical, supportive, and sustainable.

We dig into what job-seeking BCBAs should look for (and avoid) when interviewing, how caseload and pay structures impact clinical quality, and why training, transparency, and values alignment are the foundation of a thriving team. On the flip side, April and Stephen offer candid advice for ABA business owners trying to scale without burning out.

Key Topics:

🔍 Red Flags for Job-Seeking BCBAs: From unclear onboarding to inflated caseloads, learn what to ask and how to evaluate whether an organization aligns with your values and needs.

💬 Why Communication Matters: How your questions are received during the interview process says a lot about what it’ll be like to work there. Transparency, responsiveness, and psychological safety are everything.

📊 The Reality Behind the Numbers: High salaries and billable hour quotas may look great on paper—but how do they actually play out day-to-day? April and Stephen break it down.

🧠 Employee vs. Contractor: A no-fluff conversation about the legal and ethical implications of hiring (or being hired) as a contractor in ABA.

🧰 Training and Self-Advocacy: For both BCBAs and techs, training isn’t a one-and-done. We talk about the importance of self-assessment, mentorship, and ongoing growth systems.

📈 Sustainable Business Systems: What every ABA business owner should have in place—from basic policies to onboarding pathways—and why perfection isn't required, but planning is.

🧾 Delegation and Growth: Why burnout often stems from bottlenecks in delegation, and how hiring even a few hours of admin support (or automating key processes) can shift your trajectory.

Key Takeaways:

• A solid interview process sets the tone for the entire professional relationship—don’t ignore the signs.
• Clinical decisions should never be based solely on what the funder allows. You need systems that support both ethical practice and financial viability.
• BCBAs need training and mentorship just as much as technicians—and business owners must build that into their systems if they want quality care.
• Delegation isn’t optional as you grow. Start with small steps and document as you go.
• Values and vision aren’t just for your mission statement—check in with them regularly and use them to guide decisions when things get tough.

Keywords: ABA Business, BCBA Supervision, ABA Hiring Practices, Onboarding in ABA, Contractor vs Employee in ABA, Caseload Management, ABA Ethics, ABA Startups, Self-Advocacy, ABA Systems, ABA Training Programs, April Smith, Stephen Smith, 3 Pie Squared

Connect with April and Stephen Smith
🌐 Website: 3piesquared.com
🎧 Podcast: ABA Business Leaders Podcast
📱 Facebook: ABA Business Leaders
💼 LinkedIn: 3 Pie Squared
📱 TikTok: @3piesquared

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