Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jovan Phillips, Co-Owner of The Outcomes Place ABA Therapy & Consulting Services, located in Houston, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

The Outcomes Place ABA Therapy & Consulting Services provides high-quality, culturally proficient applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for individuals with autism and/or other intellectuals, developmental, or genetic disorders. We also provide behavioral consultation to address the symptoms of ADHD and anxiety, as well as caregiver support and educator/service provider training for collaborative and comprehensive care. We are committed to serving our community across the life span, offering services to children, adolescents, and adults.

Tell us about yourself

I started in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) in 2007 as a behavior interventionist. The current credential for that role, a registered behavior technician (RBT), had not been established yet. In fact, my supervisors weren’t even board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA). They didn’t have to be at the time. So, I started off in the field’s earlier years and in a position that left a lot of room for me to grow and learn. That is exactly what I chose to do. I fell in love with the field of ABA and haven’t looked back since. Now, as a board-certified and licensed behavior analyst, I offer the community ABA services backed by 15+ years of experience across age groups ranging from 18 months to 64 years of age, various diagnoses from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to rare genetic disorders such as MEF2C and Syngap1, and across environments from home-based to day habilitation centers. I have also applied the principles of ABA to assist organizations in improving clinically and operationally. I was driven to start The Outcomes Place due to a commitment to establishing an ABA agency that promotes safety, transparency, collaboration, and an awareness of cultural influences on treatment through ethical practice. This commitment continues to motivate me each day to continue growing as a professional to serve the members of our communities better.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

One of our biggest accomplishments thus far is having the opportunity to provide services to underserved communities. The journey was difficult, but the reward was great.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I have experienced the typical ebbs and flows of business ownership in relation to operating The Outcomes Place; however, the hardest part of being a business owner, particularly in a social service field, is the exorbitant number of people you are unable to help. It is difficult to come to terms with what you have the capacity to do competently and ethically versus the need for the service you provide. As an owner, you get a very clear view of this, and it can be disheartening. The pandemic has exacerbated this issue in a number of ways; nonetheless, you move forward in hopes of helping whomever you can.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

My top 3 tips for future business owners are to constantly work to develop your business acumen, be flexible and prepared to pivot when necessary, and align your business to your values so that as you grow, your decisions are driven by them.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

At The Outcomes Place, we’re committed to humanistic, person-centered treatment that focuses on the achievement of meaningful life outcomes for those we serve. To be humanistic in our approach means that we also acknowledge that there are autistic people who did not have the positive experience with ABA that we seek to provide for the families we serve. It is with their experiences in mind that The Outcomes Place commits to ongoing assessment of our policies and procedures to ensure we have an environment that promotes safety, transparency, collaboration, and cultural proficiency. We understand that this will also take a continuous evaluation of ourselves and our personal values, an honest understanding of how that affects the service we provide, and the education necessary to address our own areas for growth.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.outcomesplace.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutcomesPlace
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outcomesplace/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outcomesplace/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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