In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, April Smith speaks with Melanie Thurston and Amanda Williamson, BCBA, about one of the most important factors in successful ABA therapy: strong parent-provider relationships.

The conversation explores how ABA providers can communicate more effectively with families, build trust with parents navigating an autism diagnosis, and better understand what families truly want from therapy. Melanie and Amanda share practical insights for BCBAs, clinic owners, and ABA professionals looking to create more compassionate, collaborative care experiences.

How can ABA providers build trust with parents?

ABA providers can build trust with parents through transparent communication, empathy, and understanding. Families want to feel heard, respected, and included in the treatment process. Each family is different, and considering these differences is crucial for maintaining a strong working relationship with families.

Why is parent communication important in ABA therapy?

Strong communication helps ensure consistency between therapy sessions and home life, improves caregiver confidence, and creates stronger long-term outcomes for children receiving ABA services.

What questions should BCBAs ask families?

BCBAs should ask families about their priorities, concerns, routines, stressors, and long-term goals. At the same time, not starting immediately with goals can avoid initial overwhelm, when a family is coming to terms with a diagnosis.

About the ABA Business Leaders Podcast

The ABA Business Leaders Podcast is hosted by April Smith and Stephen Smith of 3 Pie Squared, experienced ABA entrepreneurs who built, scaled, and exited a seven-figure ABA practice. The podcast helps ABA business owners and clinicians grow sustainable organizations, improve operations, and deliver high-quality care.

Resources & Links

Business Essentials List

https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

ABA Business Leaders Support Group

https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8

Schedule a Consultation with Stephen

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

Free 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

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio.

Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Reach out here: https://www.mkmaudio.com/contact

What does a parent-led approach to ABA therapy look like? In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen Smith and April Smith speak with Zandra Santella about how ABA providers can create more collaborative, sustainable, and family-centered care.

Zandra Santella is a BCBA and founder of Beauty in Behavior, a platform focused on ethical, collaborative, and parent-led ABA practices. With more than 12 years of experience in autism services, she provides consultation, remote supervision for trainees, and parent coaching support for families and clinicians.

The Big Questions

What is parent-led ABA therapy?

A collaborative approach where parents actively participate in goal setting, strategies, and decision-making.

Why is parent trust important?

It improves communication, increases consistency, and helps families feel supported.

What should parents expect from a BCBA?

Clear communication, shared goal setting, ethical recommendations, and support that fits real-life routines.

Why are compliance-based goals controversial?

The field is shifting toward autonomy, communication, emotional regulation, and quality of life.

How can BCBAs involve parents more?

By using coaching, offering practical home strategies, validating experiences, and aligning goals with family priorities.

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio

Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Reach out here: https://www.mkmaudio.com/

Resources & Links

Business Essentials List

https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

ABA Business Leaders Support Group:

https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8

Schedule a consultation with Stephen

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

Free 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

Stephen’s Book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABA-Business-Leaders-Guide-Practice-ebook/dp/B0G1MLVTW6?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen Smith and April Smith are joined by Dr. Becca Tagg, to dive into one of the most important conversations for ABA business owners: burnout, self-care, and building sustainable systems that support leadership instead of draining it.

They explore why burnout is often less about personal failure and more about broken systems, and how many ABA business owners continue operating with outdated structures that no longer serve their teams or themselves. Stephen, April and Dr. Becca break down the importance of stepping outside your own operations to identify where stress, inefficiency, and overwhelm are really coming from.

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio

Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Find out more at www.mkmaudio.com

Resources & Links

Business Essentials List
https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

ABA Business Leaders Support Group
https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8

Schedule a consultation with Stephen
https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

Free 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

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio

Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Reach out here:
https://www.mkmaudio.com/contact

Starting and scaling an ABA business can feel straightforward at first, but the hidden mistakes can cost you time, money, and long-term growth.

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen Smith and April Smith break down 7 of the biggest mistakes ABA business owners make when starting their practice, and how to avoid them before they become expensive problems.

Drawing from their experience building, scaling, and successfully exiting a seven-figure ABA practice through 3 Pie Squared, Stephen and April share practical guidance for business owners who want to build a stronger, more sustainable company from day one.

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

ABA Business Leaders Support Group

https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8

Schedule a Consultation with Stephen

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

Free 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

What does it really look like to lead an ABA business while also navigating motherhood?

In this special panel episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, April Smith is joined by Tiffany Remy, Amarilys Morales, Corinne Mercer, and Jess Marken for an honest conversation about the realities of being both a mom and the CEO of an ABA Business.

From unexpected challenges and the constant mental load, to learning how to ask for help and intentionally designing an ideal week, this episode explores the practical and emotional side of balancing leadership, family, and personal wellbeing.

The panel also shares candid stories about what surprised them most when stepping into both motherhood and entrepreneurship, how they manage the never-ending workload that comes with both roles, and why protecting time for yourself is essential.

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

ABA Business Leaders Support Group

https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8

Schedule a consultation with Stephen

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

Free 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

ABA Business Leaders Rewind: Red Flags in ABA Service Providers

This throwback episode, Stephen and April break down the biggest warning signs to watch for when working with service providers who support ABA businesses. From vendors operating without clinician input to those charging fees that don’t align with value, this episode sharpens your ability to vet partners effectively. They also cover why broad, unfocused service offerings, lack of referrals, and hard selling tactics should raise immediate concerns.

You’ll walk away with practical questions to ask before committing, plus insight into how 3 Pie Squared evaluates vendors to protect both clinical quality and business performance.

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

Resources & Links

ABA Business Leaders Support Group:

https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8

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

Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment:

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

ABA Billing Tips Guide:

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

In this episode, hosts Stephen Smith and April Smith celebrate the release of Stephen’s new book, ABA Business Leaders Guide: How To Start, Grow, and Sustain an ABA Practice Without Losing Your Soul.

Stephen shares candid reflections on the writing process, the anxiety that comes with putting your ideas into the world, and why having a clear vision is non-negotiable if you want to build something sustainable in the ABA space.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Why most ABA businesses fail to scale sustainably—and how to avoid it
• The internal challenges (self-doubt, fear, imposter syndrome) that leaders don’t talk about
• How to define a business vision that actually guides decision-making
• The philosophy behind building a business without “losing your soul”
• Lessons learned from writing a book while running a business
• What’s next, including plans for a companion book and future resources

Pre-order your copy now:

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-aba-business-leaders-guide/id6755113017

Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hgLukNm

🚀 Resources & Links

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

Free 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

SILNA

https://www.silnahealth.com/?ref=3Pie#get-started

ABA Business Leaders Guide (Book)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXXX

Stephen Smith on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephensmith

3 Pie Squared Official Website

https://3pisquared.com

Discord Support Group

https://discord.gg/yourgroup

📞 Have a Question?

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

Coming Soon: Stephen Smith’s New Book

Stephen’s upcoming book is almost here packed with practical insights for ABA business owners looking to grow with clarity, integrity, and strong operational foundations.

Pre-order your copy now:

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-aba-business-leaders-guide/id6755113017

Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hgLukNm

Release Date: May 12, 2026

If you're serious about building a sustainable, ethical, and profitable ABA business, this is a must-read.

In this episode, Stephen and April Smith sit down with Rick Kubina to explore some of the most pressing and complex topics facing the ABA field today, including the rise of artificial intelligence.

Rick Kubina is a professor, researcher, author, and entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of behavior science, education, and technology. Since joining Penn State University in 2000, he has taught courses in reading, applied behavior analysis, instructional design, and more—while mentoring doctoral students who have gone on to shape the field globally.

Stephen, April, and Rick unpack:

• The appropriate role of AI in clinical environments
• Where AI can drive efficiency without compromising care
• The ethical boundaries every ABA leader must understand
• How business incentives can quietly shape clinical decisions
• Why human connection remains the core asset in ABA

This episode is both a strategic lens for business owners and a grounding conversation for clinicians navigating rapid change.

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by MarginKeepers, helping ABA business owners take control of their financials with clarity and confidence.

Resources & Links

MarginKeepers:

https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/MarginKeepers

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

Free 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

Have a Question?

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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