5 Signs You’re Ready to Start an Online Business as a BCBA

If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about doing something different with your BCBA certification, something that gives you more freedom, more creativity, or more impact, you’re not alone. More and more behavior analysts are realizing that the online world offers opportunities to share our science in ways that go beyond traditional service delivery.

But how do you know if you’re really ready to take that step?

Here are five signs it might be time to start your own online behavior business.

1. You're craving flexibility.

Maybe you’ve been juggling school consults, home sessions, or clinic schedules that leave little room to breathe. You want to do meaningful work, but you also want to make it to your kid’s soccer game or just have a Friday afternoon that doesn’t feel like a marathon.

Running an online business lets you design your work around your life, not the other way around. You can set your schedule, choose your clients or customers, and create offers that align with your energy and availability. I'm a huge fan of the life first schedule, the life first business model.

2. You see gaps in what's available for families, educators, individuals, or other professionals

If you’ve ever thought, Someone really should make a resource for that… guess what. That someone could be you.

Digital products, courses, or memberships allow you to share the behavioral tools you know work with more people than you could ever reach one-on-one. The world needs more behavior analysts creating practical, compassionate resources that actually help.

3. You're already sharing tips and tools, but not getting paid for it

If you’re the go-to person on your team for advice, resources, or behavior plan templates, you already have marketable knowledge. An online business simply gives structure to what you’re already doing—so your expertise can reach farther and generate income.

You don’t need a huge audience or a complicated tech setup to start. You just need clarity on what you know and who it can help.

4. You're tired of trading hours for impact

Direct work is rewarding, but it can also feel limiting. With an online business, your work can multiply without adding more hours to your week.

Whether it’s a self-paced parent training course, a downloadable resource for teachers, or a coaching program for other BCBAs, your knowledge can make a difference even while you sleep. That’s the beauty of passive income—it’s not about doing less work, but about creating something that continues to serve.

5. You're ready to grow but don't want to go it alone

You know that taking the leap will require learning new skills—like marketing, tech, and messaging—and that can feel intimidating. But with the right guidance and community, it’s not nearly as scary as it seems.

Many BCBAs who started where you are now have built businesses that allow them to reach more people, create more balance, and still stay true to the science of behavior.

The Behavior Bosses Collective has created a safe place just for behavior analysts who are growing their own reach online.

“The Bx Bosses cohort experience was invaluable. It connected me with like-minded online entrepreneurs and facilitated multiple professionals' feedback through Leanne's mediation.”

-Behavior Boss Collective grad

You don’t need to have it all figured out.

You just need to be willing to start.

If any of these signs sound like you, it might be time to take your first step toward creating something that’s yours—something that allows you to live out your values, serve more people, and build a sustainable business around the work you love.

Want a simple roadmap to get started? Download “A Simple Roadmap to Launching Your Online ABA Business” and take the first small step today.