The Challenge: Breaking Free from Corporate Constraints

Jakie Canales, BCBA, is the founder of Heart of Village ABA, a thriving independent practice serving families in the Pueblo and Colorado Springs area of Colorado. Like many BCBAs, Jakie had always dreamed of starting her own practice, even from her early days as an RBT. But the timing never seemed right—until a perfect storm of circumstances forced her hand.

As a new mother with a husband transitioning to stay-at-home dad, Jakie found herself as the primary breadwinner. She took what seemed like an ideal position at a competitive rate, but quickly discovered she was miserable in a work environment that didn't align with her values.

"I was over trying to find the perfect ABA company that would finally recognize all my hard work," Jakie shared. "That's when I realized, if I'm working hard for them, why can't I do that for myself?"

The Barriers: Financial Fear and Business Inexperience

Despite her clinical confidence, Jakie faced the same roadblocks that stop many BCBAs from taking the entrepreneurial leap. The biggest hurdle? Financial anxiety.

"One of my biggest barriers was dealing with insurance and having insurance maybe pay out," she explained. "I need to get paid—I have a family, we have bills—but to have employees and the pressure of potentially not paying them made me feel even more anxious about starting my own business."

Beyond finances, Jakie knew she lacked business experience. "I feel like as a clinician, I feel pretty solid, but I've never started a business before and neither has my husband. The payroll aspect, accounting, HR stuff—I would have no idea where to even start."

The Solution: Partnership and Rapid Execution

What set Jakie apart wasn't just her clinical skills, but her mindset shift and incredible speed of execution. Once she committed to the idea, she moved fast.

"I did something very similar to what I did when I took my BCBA exam," she recalled. "I wrote my name with BCBA at the top because that was the goal, then started taking the test. We started thinking about names and getting an LLC because that makes it very real."

Jakie's approach to getting her first clients showcased the hustle that would define her early success:

• Direct outreach: She printed business cards and brochures, visiting pediatrician offices, speech therapy clinics, PT/OT practices, and daycares

• Social media marketing: She leveraged local Facebook groups to connect with families in need

• Community presence: She actively sought out and "crashed" community health events

"I got at least 4 or 5 clients just through Facebook groups," she noted. "If people don't have money to invest upfront, that's a good way to start."

The Results: Explosive Growth and Personal Fulfillment

The numbers speak for themselves. Jakie decided to start her practice in December, received insurance credentialing in February, began seeing clients in March, and by the time of our interview had:

• 10 active clients with a waiting list

• Plans for expansion including bringing on additional BCBAs

• Community partnerships with schools and other healthcare providers

But the real success goes beyond numbers. Jakie discovered something many practice owners find: entrepreneurship actually improved her work-life balance.

"I have more work-life balance now, which I know sounds crazy," she laughed. "I feel like I'm less stressed in what I'm doing now than when I was a senior BCBA with another company."

The freedom to practice according to her values has been transformative. "I'm really big on trauma-informed care and assent-based care, and being able to really lead the RBTs in that direction, not just being part of a company that says they are and then doesn't do any of it."

The Innovation: Child-Centered Flexibility

Jakie's independence allows for creative problem-solving that larger companies couldn't accommodate. She shared a unique example: "We have this client who really loves ABA, so we made a contingency that if he followed his behavior contract, he would have ABA the next day. I've never heard of a learner being able to earn time with ABA, and I don't think you could ever do that with a big company."

This flexibility extends to her team culture and hiring practices. "Now I interview each person, I like them, I have a good feeling about them. Let's bring them on," she said, contrasting this with previous experiences where companies would "hire just really whoever to be an RBT."

The Technology Edge: Streamlined Operations

Jakie credits much of her operational success to having the right technology partner. Key benefits include:

• AI-generated session notes that allow more focus on client interaction

• Simplified billing that eliminates hours of insurance phone calls

• Treatment plan generators that streamline documentation

• Intuitive data collection that requires minimal training

"I feel like I'm in a position where no matter what challenge I encounter, if I reach out, it's going to be resolved," she said. "It's more personable—I'm working with someone who says 'hey, this is what I've noticed, what are your thoughts?' It's like a team effort."

Looking Forward: Sustainable Growth

Jakie's vision for Heart of Village ABA balances growth with quality. "I don't want to get too big because then I feel like I will be too disconnected from everyone," she shared. Her plans include:

• Expanding to serve Colorado Springs and Fountain

• Adding 1-2 additional BCBAs by year-end

• Developing partnerships with local school districts

• Supporting her student analyst's transition to supervisor

Advice for Aspiring Practice Owners

Jakie's message to BCBAs considering the entrepreneurial path is clear: "I would tell them that they can do it, that they really need to believe in themselves and remember their why. If you're doing it for the clients, that's why you're working hard."

Her practical advice includes:

• Start small: "You don't have to have your 5 clinics fully staffed right off the bat"

• Overcome imposter syndrome: "You could be doing this for 5-6 years and still ask yourself, 'do I know what I'm doing?' The answer is yes"

• Embrace the mindset shift: "You're not working for a company, you're working for yourself"

• Trust the process: "Even if you have to fake it for a little bit until you finally do, do that"

The Bottom Line

Jakie's journey from overwhelmed employee to thriving practice owner happened in just months, not years. Her success stems from a combination of clinical expertise, business support, rapid execution, and an unwavering commitment to her clients and values.

"If I can do it, I'm sure anyone else could do it," she concluded. "I really don't see myself ever going back to working for someone."

For BCBAs ready to take control of their careers and provide the quality care they've always envisioned, Jakie's story proves that with the right support and mindset, independence isn't just possible—it's incredibly rewarding.

Ready to start your own ABA practice? Learn how Alpaca Health can provide the business support and technology platform you need to launch and grow successfully.