Can you scale an ABA company without losing your values… or your soul? 👀In this episode of The BC(BAes) Podcast, Jordan and Melina sit down with Javon May, CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Autonomous Behavior Solutions in Los Angeles, for a real conversation about growing an ABA business the right way.The ABA field is expanding faster than ever. 🚀 But with growth comes hard questions:⚖️ How do you scale ethically?📈 How fast is too fast to grow?🧠 How do you protect staff from burnout while maintaining quality care?💼 And what responsibilities come with being the person at the top?Javon shares what it’s actually like running a clinician-led ABA organization — from making difficult ethical decisions, to turning down clients when necessary, to building systems that support sustainable growth.If you’re a BCBA, RBT, clinical director, or behavior analyst thinking about starting your own company, this episode pulls back the curtain on leadership in ABA.Because scaling a business is one thing…Scaling it without sacrificing your values is another.⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 – Meet the BC(BAes) & guest Javon May00:40 – Why a CEO should stay grounded in the clinical side01:30 – Wearing both CEO and Chief Clinical Officer hats03:40 – The ABA paradox: working yourself out of a job04:05 – What sustainable growth actually means in ABA05:00 – “More money, more problems” in business growth06:20 – Avoiding staff burnout while scaling an ABA company07:40 – Systems and SOPs that support growth08:05 – Small company vs large company leadership09:40 – Delegation and trusting your leadership team10:15 – The speedboat vs oil tanker analogy in business growth11:10 – When company growth naturally slows down13:10 – Ethical challenges CEOs face in ABA organizations14:20 – Balancing client needs vs staff protection15:45 – When you have to turn down a client16:40 – Protecting staff from disrespectful situations17:20 – Ethical decisions that aren’t in the BACB code18:30 – Tough leadership calls in ABA organizations19:50 – Advice for BCBAs thinking about starting a company21:00 – The reality of wearing every hat as an owner22:15 – Why being a great BCBA doesn’t automatically make you a great CEO23:40 – The responsibility of leading a team24:00 – The “no shield” feeling of business ownership25:45 – Staying motivated as a CEO in ABA26:50 – Why seeing client progress still fuels the mission27:40 – Measuring quality care in an ABA organization28:30 – Supporting staff while maintaining clinical excellence🧠 Topics We Cover✔️ Scaling an ABA company ethically✔️ Sustainable growth in the ABA field✔️ Preventing burnout for RBTs and BCBAs✔️ Leadership for clinician-owned organizations✔️ Ethics in business decisions✔️ Measuring quality ABA services✔️ Systems and procedures for growth📲 Follow The BC(BAes)Instagramhttps://instagram.com/thebcbaesTikTokhttps://tiktok.com/@thebcbaesYouTubehttps://youtube.com/@TheBCBAes🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.If you're in the ABA field, subscribe so you don’t miss conversations about the real life of behavior analysts — leadership, ethics, business, and the science that drives it all.🔎 Hashtags#BCBA #ABAtherapy #BehaviorAnalysis #ABAfield #BCBAlife #AutismSupport #ABAclinic #RBTlife #ABAethics #BCBAPodcast #TheBCBAes #BehaviorAnalyst

In this powerful episode, we sit down with a leader whose journey embodies what it truly means to build, grow, and lead in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. From early challenges to building thriving agencies, to redefining mentorship, culture, and community impact — this conversation will leave you inspired, grounded, and ready to level up.We dive into:💡 The truth about mentorship (and why it’s not about giving answers)🤝 How to build a culture of collaboration instead of compliance📚 Teaching RBTs & BCBAs to think critically, not dependently🔥 Creating a learning environment where everyone grows📉 Turnover, agency culture, and real accountability🌱 Supporting parent communities and long-term sustainable impact🌍 Expanding ABA access through Head Start programs & community training🏁 The future of ABA, legacy building, and the “why” behind the workWhether you’re an RBT, BCBA, agency owner, or student, this episode is a must-watch for anyone committed to meaningful, ethical, and effective practice.Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if you found value — it helps us reach more people doing the work! 💛⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Introductions00:22 – How Jordan & Vargas Met01:03 – Vargas’ Background & Why He Started an Agency02:18 – Providing Services Across the Lifespan03:00 – Perspective from Working With Adults04:18 – Walking Alongside Families vs. Telling Them What to Do06:17 – Cultural Considerations & Differences in Mississippi vs. Arizona06:58 – Mississippi Story: “What Do You All Like to Be Called?”08:16 – Barriers Faced by Black Behavior Analysts in Mississippi09:05 – Why Arizona Feels More Welcoming09:19 – Experiences as the First Black-Owned ABA Agency in Mississippi10:15 – Professional Scrutiny & Credential Challenges11:17 – Being Under a Microscope as a Black Business Owner12:21 – Family Pressures & Fear of Entrepreneurship13:02 – Living Without Regrets & Starting the Business Anyway14:08 – ABA Clinicians as Entrepreneurs14:39 – Applying ABA Concepts to Business Growth15:16 – Vision Behind Mississippi Behavior Services & Trinity Behavior Consulting16:12 – Making Meaningful, Equitable Access to Services17:07 – Scaling Meaningful Change Through Providers17:52 – Strategy, Learning From Mistakes & Business Growth🎙️ ABOUT THE BC(BAes)The BC(BAes) Podcast is hosted by Melina & Jordan — two BCBAs committed to honest conversations, community building, cultural responsiveness, and elevating the field of ABA one episode at a time.📲 CONNECT WITH USInstagram: @thebcbaesLinkedIn: The BC(BAes) PodcastTikTok: @thebcbaesYouTube: @thebcbaes🔖 HASHTAGS#BCBA #RBT #AppliedBehaviorAnalysis #ABAPodcast #TheBCBAes #AutismSupport #ABACommunity #LeadershipInABA #Mentorship #Collaboration #BehaviorAnalysis #BCBASummit #EntrepreneurshipInABA #ParentTraining #CulturalResponsiveness

In this special on-the-road episode of The BC(BAes), Jordan and Melina pile into the car with keynote speaker Dr. Andre Anderson, the First Lady Angie, Amber Furby and a car full of powerhouse energy fresh off the ABA conference stage.From unpacking the keynote’s impact, to talking about representation, leadership, multitasking at conferences, love, poetry, cognitive maps, symbolism, and the emotional weight of community — this carpool turns into a rolling masterclass in inspiration, connection, and Black excellence in ABA.Dr. Anderson also shares a deeply personal and poetic tribute to his wife, delivers a spontaneous breakdown of learning theory and memory, and leaves the field with one final message every clinician needs to hear.This episode is heartfelt, funny, chaotic in the best way, and full of gems for BCBAs, students, and anyone who cares about culturally grounded, community-centered ABA.⏱️ Chapters0:00 – Welcome to the Keynote Carpool0:29 – Meet the Car Crew: First Lady & Dr. Anderson0:59 – Delivering the Keynote & Inspiring the Room1:28 – Emotion, Vulnerability & Impact2:06 – Representation: Black Men in Leadership3:09 – Wearing Multiple Hats at a Conference4:11 – Balancing Hustle with Quality for Attendees5:03 – Fun Facts About Jordan6:06 – “Most Men Only Get Their Flowers on Their Deathbed”7:05 – Dr. Anderson’s Poetic Tribute9:29 – The Art of Public Speaking & Not Showing Mistakes10:27 – ABA Theory: Cognitive Maps, Word Gaps & Symbolic Play11:40 – One Word to Describe the Conference13:44 – Final Wisdom: The Power of Journaling🔗 Follow The BC(BAes)🎧 Listen & Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts📲 TikTok: @the.bcbaes📸 Instagram: @thebcbaes🔍 Hashtags (SEO)#TheBCBAes #KeynoteCarpool #DrAndreAnderson #BehaviorAnalysis #BCBA #ABAConference #BlackBCBAs #LeadershipInABA #CulturalResponsiveness #AppliedBehaviorAnalysis #ABACommunity #Inspiration #Neurodiversity #ABAPodcast