In this episode, Stephen and April Smith of 3 Pie Squared explore how values shape decisions, culture, and growth in ABA businesses. Drawing from their experience building and exiting a seven-figure practice, they discuss aligning goals with values, learning from mistakes, and turning abstract principles into actionable business practices.

Stephen and April also highlight the role of teams in upholding values through trust, communication, and accountability, and share how 3 Pie Squared introduced a new value to reflect their evolving business.

Whether you are starting, scaling, or preparing your ABA practice for exit, this episode offers actionable insights for integrating values into leadership, operations, and financial strategy to drive ethical, sustainable growth.

Sponsored by MarginKeepers

This episode is sponsored by MarginKeepers, a full-service accounting firm specializing in ABA businesses. MarginKeepers helps practice owners maintain financial clarity so their values can be upheld in daily operations and long-term strategy.

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

ABA Practice Management Software: Why You Need It and What to Look For

Running an ABA practice and delivering great clinical care go hand in hand with efficient systems and reliable software.

In this episode of ABA Business Leaders, Stephen and April Smith sit down with Charlene Kurth, Chief Operating Officer at Office Puzzle, and Hailu Jardines, CEO of Office Puzzle, to unpack why practice management software (PMS) is a crucial tool for scaling your ABA business, and how the right platform can directly impact efficiency, compliance, and long-term enterprise value.

Together, they explore the evolution from pen-and-paper operations to fully integrated systems, common mistakes practice owners make when selecting software, and what to look for if you’re considering switching platforms. The conversation also dives into Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), scalability challenges, and why your PMS plays a critical role if you plan to one day sell your practice.

Whether you’re just getting started or managing a multi-location organization, this episode offers practical insight into aligning your technology with your business goals.

📞 Have a Question for Stephen & April?

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

🔗 Resources & Links

Office Puzzle Affiliate Link

https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/office-puzzle

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 of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, April Smith, co-founder of 3 Pie Squared, hosts an expert panel discussion featuring:

• Alecia Barrett BCBA, COBA, LSW and owner of A. Barrett Academy, LLC located in Holland Ohio

• Brooke Schneider, M.S.Ed., BCBA, LBA is the Founder and Clinical Director of Orange Pediatric Therapy, which she opened in 2015

• Mallory Stinger, BCBA, CEU Coordinator, IEP Advocate, Sleep Consultant. Mallory has been in the field since 2010.

• Jennifer Helten, the CEO and Founder of Unique Pathways LLC.

The panel explores the risks of micromanagement, the challenge of delegating before you feel “ready,” and why most owners are never fully prepared for the next level of scale. Plus, each founder answer one of the most pressing questions ABA Business Owners ask:

What one move can I make to drive my business forward?

Key themes include:

• Identifying decisions that unlock operational momentum rather than adding complexity

• Letting go of control without sacrificing quality or outcomes

• Choosing your “hard” as a business owner and accepting that growth always comes with trade-offs

• The long-term impact of training, developing, and growing alongside your BCBAs

• Why background work and infrastructure matter just as much as visible leadership

Have a question for Stephen and April?

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

Join our ABA Business Owner Support Group here for Free: Sign up here

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 special panel episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, host April Smith, co-founder of 3 Pie Squared, is joined by Jennifer Helten and Mallory Stinger for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the realities of owning and leading an ABA business.

Together, they explore the emotional, operational, and leadership challenges that show up once you step into ownership. From guilt and over-responsibility to delegation, boundaries, and the constant pressure of “everything being a priority.” The discussion also introduces the ABA Business Leaders Support Group, a new monthly space designed specifically for ABA owners who want connection, clarity, and support from peers who truly understand the role.

This episode is sponsored by SILNA, the leading care readiness platform and AI-driven prior authorization management tool, helping ABA organizations reduce administrative burden, improve authorization workflows, and focus more time on delivering care.

Learn more about SILNA here:

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

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Common emotional and operational crossover experiences amongst business owners, regardless of size or location
• How owner guilt shows up day-to-day
• Why “if everything is a priority, nothing is a priority” increases your risk of burnout as an ABA Business Owner
• Practical insights on delegation, time audits, and letting go of tasks that no longer serve your role
• The emotional process of mourning tasks after delegating them
• Parallels between parenting and running an ABA business, including boundaries and time off

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/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

Episode Sponsor — SILNA

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

Back to Basics – HIPAA 101

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and April Smith of 3 Pie Squared return to fundamentals, breaking down HIPAA through the lens of real operational decisions ABA owners face every day. They are joined by Nandy Bo, Cybersecurity Expert from Cyber Swiss Army Knife Squad. From device security and Wi-Fi risks to IT systems, policies, and staff practices, this conversation is designed to help you identify vulnerabilities before they become liabilities.

You’ll hear practical guidance on encrypted devices, bring-your-own-device policies, iPads in ABA clinic settings, cloud systems, and remote monitoring tools. The discussion also explores scalable IT recommendations for small and mid-sized ABA practices, including penetration testing, multi-factor authentication, and how to evaluate whether a platform is genuinely HIPAA-compliant.

Whether you are just getting started or reassessing your current systems, this episode provides a clear, actionable framework for strengthening HIPAA compliance across your organization.

Episode Highlights

• What HIPAA means for ABA business owners

• The risks of unsecured devices, public Wi-Fi, and poor systems

• Bring-your-own-device policies in clinical environments

• Best practices for ABA document storage and access

• IT system recommendations tailored to ABA practices

• iPads, cameras, and remote technology in your ABA clinic

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

Resources & Links

• Need Nandy’s Help? Check out Cyber Swiss Army Knife - https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/cyber-swiss-army-knife-squad

• 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 of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosted by Stephen and April Smith of 3 Pie Squared, the conversation focuses on one of the most overlooked elements of long-term success in an ABA business: exit planning. Drawing from their experience building, scaling, and exiting a seven-figure ABA practice, Stephen and April explain why your exit strategy should be considered from day one, not as an afterthought.

Throughout the episode, Stephen and April break down how exit planning directly impacts financial security, operational decision-making, and business scalability. They also share personal stories about how defining your “why” as a founder can make it significantly easier to shape a clear and intentional exit strategy.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why having a defined exit plan is essential for long-term success

• How exit planning supports financial security and smoother transitions

• The link between exit strategy and confident, strategic decision-making

• Key factors that influence a successful and profitable exit

• Why early-stage ABA business owners should prioritize exit planning

• How understanding exit options influences daily operations and growth

• Practical insights from Stephen and April based on real-world experience

• How clarifying your personal “why” helps simplify exit planning

This episode is essential listening for ABA business owners who want to build with intention, reduce uncertainty, and maximize the long-term value of their practice.

This episode is sponsored by MarginKeepers, a full-service accounting firm that specializes in supporting ABA businesses:

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

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 of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen and April Smith of 3 Pie Squared break down what it really takes to create a healthy, sustainable company culture while supporting staff at every stage of an ABA practice’s growth.

Drawing on their experience building, scaling, and exiting a seven-figure ABA organization, Stephen and April share practical guidance for founders and leaders who want to align values with business realities, course-correct when needed, and intentionally shape the workplace experiences of their teams. Joined by Cortney and Chris of Keene Perspectives, the conversation explores hiring, retention, leadership responsibility, and the long-term impact ABA business owners have on their staff, many of whom are entering the workforce for the first time.

This episode is especially valuable for startup owners, growing practices, and established leaders navigating team dynamics, post-COVID culture shifts, and the balance between mission-driven work and operational sustainability.

Episode Highlights

• Starting Without Perfection
• Establishing Your “Why” and Early Alignment
• Course Correction as a Leadership Skill
• Balancing Values With Business Decisions
• Hiring for Both Objectivity and Fit
• Retention, Culture, and Workplace Impact

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 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