## 1. Your Vision and Mindset Iliana, before we dive into building the nuts and bolts of your ABA therapy company, I want you to think about why you’re doing it and how you see it developing over time. This section is all about **getting clear on your underlying goals** and the mindset that will help you stay motivated through any challenges. It sets the tone for everything else. --- ### 1.1 Clarify Your Purpose 1. **Reflect on What Drew You to ABA Therapy** - Think back to the moments or experiences where you felt that “spark”–maybe it was witnessing the progress a child made, or realizing how valuable evidence-based interventions can be. - Write them down. You’ll draw on these memories to stay focused and enthusiastic. 2. **Identify Core Values You Want to Uphold** - Are empathy, integrity, and innovation at the heart of the work you do? Or do you lean toward collaboration, growth, and accountability? - Jot down 3–5 values that feel most authentic to how you want to run your practice. 3. **Define What “Success” Means for You** - Is it about helping a specific number of families? Creating a supportive workplace culture for staff? Having a steady but manageable caseload? - Pin down a success metric or two that truly resonates with you. _Why This Matters:_ Taking time to articulate your “why” will ground you when you run into typical startup frustrations—like insurance approvals taking forever or juggling client schedules. You’ll remember the reason you’re doing this in the first place. --- ### 1.2 Develop a Business Vision Statement 1. **Think Big Picture** - How do you want your company to impact the community or even the larger field of ABA therapy? Maybe you envision a place where families feel heard, staff feel valued, and progress is consistently measured and celebrated. 2. **Draft a Clear, Concise Statement** - Aim for one or two sentences at most. Something like: > _“We strive to empower children and families through exceptional, evidence-based ABA therapy, delivering measurable outcomes in an atmosphere of genuine care.”_ 3. **Turn Vision into a Practical Guide** - Refer back to this statement whenever you have to make decisions—like expanding services or deciding on the best EHR platform. It should be your north star. _Why This Matters:_ Your vision statement isn’t just fluff. It’s a reference point you can use for setting priorities, attracting the right staff, and shaping how you talk about your work. --- ### 1.3 Emotional Preparation 1. **Acknowledge the Ups and Downs** - Running a solo practice or a small ABA clinic can be exhilarating one week and exhausting the next. Insurance credentialing alone can test anyone’s patience. - Expect the roller coaster; knowing it’s normal helps keep things in perspective. 2. **Plan for Self-Care** - Whether it’s a quick walk to clear your head or a standing lunch date with a friend, carve out moments to decompress. - This is important not just for you but for the quality of care you offer. Burnout can creep in fast if you don’t monitor your own energy levels. 3. **Build a Support System** - Friends, colleagues, mentors—whoever can listen, give advice, or just share a laugh when things get hectic. - Don’t be afraid to lean on people. Sometimes just talking through a challenge can spark a solution you hadn’t seen before. _Why This Matters:_ The emotional side of entrepreneurship is a real factor. Staying grounded and supported ensures you can keep delivering top-notch services without running yourself ragged. --- ### Key Takeaways - **Purpose**: Know your “why” and let it guide daily decisions. - **Vision Statement**: Condense your goals into a concise message you can refer to every time you chart a new path. - **Emotional Readiness**: Build in self-care and a support network from the start. This will pay off tenfold once the intensity of running a business kicks in. In the next section, we’ll move on to **business fundamentals and legal structure**—the practical steps to turn this vision into a real-world operation.