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

In this April Fool’s–themed episode, Stephen and April Smith are joined by a panel of ABA owners – Chris, Jennifer, Alecia Barrett, & Mallory Stinger - sharing their most unbelievable (but very real) stories from running an ABA business.  

From insurance nightmares to staff issues and difficult audits, the conversation balances humour with practical takeaways. At its core, it’s about staying grounded, trusting your instincts, and leading with clarity when situations get messy. 

☎️ Have a Question? 

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  

• 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 

In this episode, Stephen and April sit down with Alex Veach, founder of Agenda Health, to break down what it looks like to buy or sell an ABA business. From understanding valuations to navigating the emotional and operational challenges of a sale, this conversation gives a practical look at a process many owners think about, but few fully understand. 

Alex shares insights from the transaction side of the industry, highlighting what makes a business attractive to buyers, what slows deals down, and how owners can position themselves for a successful exit or acquisition. 

Sponsored By Office Puzzle 

This episode is brought to you by Office Puzzle. 
Simplify your back-office operations and get the clarity you need to scale your ABA business. 

Try it free for 30 days: 
officepuzzle.com/3ps 

Have a Question for Stephen & 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 

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 

In this episode, Stephen and April Smith sit down with Josh Levine, co-founder of Momentum, for a conversation about burnout, leadership, and the role of self-awareness in the ABA field. Josh shares how a simple habit of daily reflection helped him grow as a clinician and develop a mindset focused on continuous improvement rather than perfection. 

The discussion explores the emotional side of behavioral work, from overcoming negative self-talk to recognizing how burnout affects business owners, staff, and clients alike. Stephen, April, and Josh also talk about the importance of trust, delegation, and hiring team members who align with your organization’s values. 

The episode closes with a powerful reminder that meaningful change in leadership starts internally. When clinicians and business owners prioritize self-awareness, compassion, and personal growth, it creates healthier teams and better outcomes for the families they serve. 

Have a question for Stephen and April? 

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

Resources & Links 

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

ABA Support Group for Business Owners 

https://forms.office.com/r/cigPR8wFFC  

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 

Audit anxiety is one of the most common — and least talked about — pressures facing ABA business owners.  

Hosts Stephen and April, joined by Alecia Barrett from A. Barrett Academy LLC, share candid stories about the audits they personally went through, including moments when accusations of fraud and recoupment demands threatened their stability. These stories highlight an important truth for ABA owners: audits are stressful, but they’re also manageable when you understand your rights and keep strong documentation. 

They also walk through what happens when insurers raise fraud concerns, how to respond to recoupment demands, and the importance of preparing long before an audit begins. Clean documentation, consistent systems, and proactive processes can make the difference between a stressful review and a business-threatening crisis. 

If you’ve ever felt the weight of compliance anxiety or worried about what an audit might uncover, this episode offers reassurance, practical guidance, and real-world lessons from leaders who have navigated these challenges themselves. 

Have a question for Stephen and April? 
Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432 

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