Market Analysis for ABA Businesses: Back To Basics

This week on the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and April continue the Back to Basics series with a practical deep dive into market analysis — one of the most important, and often misunderstood, steps in building an ABA company.

From cutting through the noise of 40-page reports to understanding what your competitors really charge, this episode is all about asking the right questions and applying lessons you can actually use.

💡 Whether you’re planning your very first clinic or refining your growth strategy, you’ll walk away with a sharper sense of how to analyze your market and use that knowledge to make better business decisions.

🔍 Inside the Episode:

✅ The job that keeps changing – Stephen explains how quickly your role evolves once you open your doors, and why setting clear boundaries on services and clients is essential.

✅ Five questions that matter – April breaks market analysis down to the basics: Who, What, Why, Where, and How. No lengthy reports required, just clarity on the right questions.

✅ What people say vs. what they do – Stephen shares a hard-earned lesson about the gap between verbal commitments and the real-world follow-through required when launching clinics or new services.

✅ Defining your own goals – April reminds us that not every business needs to scale to a multi-clinic model. Growth should be aligned with your personal goals, not someone else’s playbook.

✅ Setting rates with confidence – Stephen stresses that rates should rise, not fall, with private funders, and that knowing competitors’ pricing keeps you competitive.

✅ Collaboration as strategy – April highlights the increasing demand for BCBAs and ABA services, and why working with other providers can strengthen both your business and your community.

📌 Resources:

✅ ABA Business Readiness Assessment – See where your business stands

✅Book a Consult with Stephen – Honest guidance from someone who gets it

📞 Want to get in touch via our new hotline? Give us a call at (737) 330-1432!

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and put these fundamentals into action — your business will thank you for it.

Episode Title: Start an ABA Company: Back To Basics

This week on the ABA Business Leaders Podcast as part of their ‘back to basics’ series for 2025, Stephen and April sit down to share hard-earned lessons about the early stages of business ownership. From carving out time while still in a 9–5 to setting boundaries that stick, they dig into the practical — and often overlooked — steps that can make or break an ABA business.

From money management to mentorship, and from fighting isolation to facing failure, this episode is packed with insights for ABA leaders ready to take their first steps with confidence.

🔍 Inside the Episode:

✅ Making the leap – Stephen explains why it’s crucial to use your free time wisely before leaving your full-time job to build early momentum.

✅ Boundaries that last – April unpacks how quickly new owners can get sucked into the whirlwind, and why sustainable schedules are non-negotiable.

✅ Money myths – Together, Stephen and April get real about finances: if you don’t have at least $500 in reserve, it may not be the right time to start.

✅ Mentors & accountants – Why having these two key players in your corner from day one can save you from costly mistakes later.

✅ It’s lonely at the top – Stephen reflects on the isolation of business ownership and the power of connecting with other leaders who “get it.”

✅ Don’t become the bad boss – Lessons on tying your business back to your values, so you don’t recreate the same problems you left behind.

✅ Facing failure – April and Stephen normalize mistakes and highlight why policies, procedures, and learning moments are essential for growth.

💡 Whether you’re on the verge of launching your ABA practice or looking to strengthen your foundation, this conversation will give you the clarity, encouragement, and tools you need to start strong.

📌 Resources:

✅ ABA Business Readiness Assessment – See where your business stands

✅ Book a Consult with Stephen – Honest guidance from someone who gets it

💼 This episode is sponsored by Live Oak Bank Live Oak Bank offers specialized loan solutions designed for the unique needs of your ABA business.

👉 Find out more

🎧 Tune in and take notes — your future ABA business depends on it.

📞 Want to get in touch via our new hotline? Give us a call at (737) 330-1432!

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen and April Smith get personal with some life updates, share exciting news about the growth of their team, and introduce new services—including billing support. They also announce an upcoming podcast series focused on startup advice and take on common misconceptions about what it really takes to start an ABA business.

Whether you’re in the early stages of planning your practice or already managing a growing team, this episode delivers practical insights about balance, planning, and the mindset shifts that fuel long-term success.

And a big thank you to our sponsor, SILNA – supporting ABA providers with the tools and advocacy needed to strengthen the field.

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

📞 Want to get in touch via our new hotline? Give us a call at (737) 330-1432!

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Taking intentional time off is crucial for entrepreneurs.

• Building a strong team creates better work-life balance.

• Effective communication is the foundation of team success.

• Planning ahead makes extended time off possible.

• A new podcast series will focus on startup advice and resources.

• Marketing your ABA business is essential for attracting clients.

• You don’t need to know everything before you start.

• Business plans matter—but they don’t have to be perfect.

• Success doesn’t mean working 24/7.

• Curiosity and continuous learning drive growth.

📚 Resources & Links

Looking for ways to strengthen your ABA business? Check out these resources:

👉 Earn CEUs while listening to the podcast: https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

👉 Wondering how to start an ABA business or how to know if your ABA business is ready to scale? Take the free ABA Business Readiness Assessment: https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

👉 Need practical tips to keep your ABA billing on track? Download the quick guide here: https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

👉 Partner with SILNA to support and advocate for the ABA field: https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/SILNA