ABA Business Leaders

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen and April Smith of 3 Pie Squared break down one of the most misunderstood and operationally critical areas of running an ABA practice: insurance processes. From claim denials to prior authorizations, insurance workflows can either support growth or quietly stall it. Stephen and April walk through the core insurance systems every ABA business owner needs to understand, especially in the early stages, and explain why even experienced providers can run into costly mistakes. They are joined by insights from Sagar Jajoo of SILNA, who shares real-world data on where providers most often run into trouble and how strong insurance workflows can support scalability and long-term stability. The conversation highlights why most claim denials stem from front-end issues like benefit checks and authorizations, not clinical documentation, and why relying on inconsistent or manual tracking systems can quickly become a liability as your practice grows. Stephen and April also discuss how insurance processes evolve over time, what new owners typically underestimate, and why predictable, well-documented workflows matter not just for growth, but also when preparing to exit or sell a practice. If you want to scale responsibly, improve cash flow, and reduce administrative headaches, this episode lays out what to focus on and what to fix first. Get started with SILNA today: https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/silna  Key Takeaways New ABA owners must understand the core insurance processes early, including benefit checks, authorizations, and claims submission, to avoid preventable denials. Even strong billing teams make mistakes, which is why systems and safeguards matter more than individual effort. Most claim denials originate from front-end insurance issues rather than clinical errors. Lack of standardization around prior authorizations increases risk and slows intake. Manual tracking methods often break down as practices grow. Clean, predictable insurance workflows improve scalability and make your business more attractive to buyers.  📞 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  

Back to Basics: Financial Planning for Your ABA Business In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and April sit down with Shep from Live Oak Bank to simplify the world of ABA Finance, ABA funding, and smart financial planning for your ABA practice. Whether you are launching a new clinic or expanding your services, this conversation helps you understand how banks evaluate your business and what you need to secure the right bank loans. Shep explains how Live Oak partners with ABA providers, why accurate financial planning matters from day one, and what lenders look for when assessing SBA loans. He also highlights the difference between a loan and a line of credit, and the early financial challenges most ABA practices underestimate. The episode covers what makes an ABA startup loan-ready, how business plans influence approval, and when it may be possible to borrow without personal guarantees. Shep also touches on choosing the right real estate options and avoiding unnecessary financial strain as you grow. Whether you are preparing to open your first location or planning long-term expansion, this episode provides clear guidance on strengthening your financial foundation. Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432 Resources & Links Business Essentials List Schedule a consultation with Stephen Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment ABA Billing Tips Guide ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs

ABA Business Leaders Podcast — Hosted by Stephen Smith & Johanna Eddy In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and Johanna Eddy break down one of the most challenging (but most important) parts of running an ABA practice: finance. Whether you’re a new ABA provider or operating an established ABA organization, this conversation walks you through the key financial systems that keep an ABA business stable, compliant, and ready for growth. Key Takeaways ✔ Accurate Bookkeeping Is Non-Negotiable Before you can plan, grow, or even file taxes properly, you need clean, consistent books. Stephen and Johanna discuss why accurate bookkeeping is the backbone of every financial decision an ABA owner makes. ✔ Know Your Tax Structure Your entity type determines how you’re taxed — and potentially how much you owe. The hosts break down common structures, what deductions business owners typically overlook, and how health insurance affects tax planning. ✔ Quarterly Taxes Don’t Have to Be Confusing Johanna explains how quarterly payments work, common misconceptions, and strategies for staying ahead of unexpected tax bills. Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432 Resources 🎧 Podcast CEU’s: ABA Business Leaders Podcast — Hosted by Stephen Smith & Johanna Eddy In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and Johanna Eddy break down one of the most challenging (but most important) parts of running an ABA practice: finance. Whether you’re a new ABA provider or operating an established ABA organization, this conversation walks you through the key financial systems that keep an ABA business stable, compliant, and ready for growth. Key Takeaways ✔ Accurate Bookkeeping Is Non-Negotiable Before you can plan, grow, or even file taxes properly, you need clean, consistent books. Stephen and Johanna discuss why accurate bookkeeping is the backbone of every financial decision an ABA owner makes. ✔ Know Your Tax Structure Your entity type determines how you’re taxed — and potentially how much you owe. The hosts break down common structures, what deductions business owners typically overlook, and how health insurance affects tax planning. ✔ Quarterly Taxes Don’t Have to Be Confusing Johanna explains how quarterly payments work, common misconceptions, and strategies for staying ahead of unexpected tax bills. Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432 Resources 🎧 Podcast CEU’s: 👉 ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEU’s 🧾 Check your business readiness: 👉 ABA Business Readiness Assessment Learn more about MarginKeepers: Visit MarginKeepers

Back to Basics: Building Relationships That Last In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts April and Stephen Smith explore one of the most important parts of growing a healthy ABA business: the people you bring into it. They dig into hiring, leadership, mentorship, and the communication habits that help an ABA therapy organization run smoothly over the long term. Whether you're in the early stages of building your ABA team or preparing to step back from daily operations, this episode gives you a clearer picture of how strong relationships and intentional hiring can shape the future of your business. Key Takeaways Hiring Should Push You Outside Your Comfort Zone April opens up about how ego sometimes gets in the way of the hiring process. ABA business owners often avoid hiring someone who might outperform them, but growth happens when you surround yourself with people who strengthen your weaknesses. She uses a “mom friend” analogy to show the value of having support from people at different stages of the journey. Different Thinkers Make Better ABA Teams Stephen and April talk about the importance of hiring people who think differently. When you intentionally build a diverse team, you bring in new ideas, new angles, and more well-rounded decision-making. For ABA organizations trying to grow sustainably, these differences lead to stronger outcomes for both staff and clients. Your Values Should Guide Every Hiring Decision Stephen emphasizes that hiring becomes much harder when you don’t have a clear vision for your ABA business. Your long-term goals should show up in your job postings, interview questions, and onboarding. When your values are clear, you attract the right people from the start. Onboarding Is a Two-Way Learning Experience Onboarding isn’t just training. It’s a chance for both sides to learn whether the role, the expectations, and the culture are a good match. April and Stephen highlight how the early stages of onboarding help set the tone for communication, mentorship, and long-term success in your ABA therapy practice. A Strong Culture Comes From Honest Conversation You can only spend so much time shaping culture, but fostering open communication is one of the most powerful tools you have. When your team feels comfortable discussing challenges, asking questions, and offering feedback, you start building relationships that last and support stronger outcomes across your ABA therapy organization. 📞 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 💼 Book a consultation with Stephen: https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page 🧠 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

Back to Basics: Building for Growth In this Back to Basics episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen and April Smith unpack what it really takes to grow an ABA business without burning yourself out in the process. From breaking inefficient systems before they break you to understanding your true capacity as a leader, this episode focuses on the practical, behind-the-scenes work that makes sustainable growth possible. If scaling your ABA business feels overwhelming, this conversation gives you a roadmap for doing it with intention and clarity. Key Takeaways Systems Are the Foundation of Success April and Stephen remind listeners that growth isn’t about working harder — it is about building systems that work even when things get tough. If your business has solid processes in place, you’re already ahead. Without systems, every challenge feels like an emergency. With them, you can scale with confidence and clarity. Grow With Intention by Knowing the “Why" Important requirements like CPR training or employee handbooks are often overlooked when you’re growing fast. April emphasizes the importance of understanding the “why” behind these systems, not just ticking boxes. When you know why each piece matters, your growth becomes purposeful and much more stable. Build a Business That Can Survive Without You If you want to sell your ABA business someday, or even simply step back, it must be able to grow without you constantly pushing it forward. Stephen talks about how vital it is to build a company structure that can function independently. Long-term sustainability depends on replacing heroics with systems. From understanding your limits to building a business that can thrive without you, this conversation is a must-listen for any ABA entrepreneur preparing for the next phase. This episode is sponsored by Live Oak Bank. Live Oak offers specialized loan solutions tailored to the unique needs of ABA businesses. As America’s premier SBA lender, they’ve helped thousands of small businesses secure financing for acquisitions, real estate, construction, expansion, and partner buyouts. Their team works with you to craft financial solutions that align with your business goals. 📞 Have a question for Stephen and April? Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432 📚 Resources & Links: 🏦 Live Oak Affiliate Link: https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/live-oak-bank 🧾 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 🧠 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