Building Mighty Minds ABA: An Interview with Javier Herrera
Starting your own ABA practice can feel overwhelming. Between credentialing, insurance headaches, and finding clients, many BCBAs never make the leap—even when they dream of independence. But for Javier Herrera, a BCBA of five and a half years and the CEO of Mighty Minds ABA, that leap became possible with the right support.
After completing Headstart’s Provider Bootcamp and training, Javier didn’t just launch his practice—he nearly reached full client capacity in under two months. His passion for helping families, paired with the right systems and support, turned what once felt impossible into a thriving, people-first practice.
Today, Javier runs Mighty Minds ABA with confidence, knowing he has the tools, infrastructure, and team behind him to focus on what truly matters: helping kids and supporting families.
In this interview, Javier shares his journey—the challenges, the wins, and why he believes BCBAs shouldn’t have to do it alone.
Q: Can you introduce yourself and share a little about your background as a BCBA?
Javier: My name is Javier Herrera. I’ve been a BCBA for about five and a half years. Before that, I did case management in ABA. Now, I’m the CEO of Mighty Minds with Headstart.
Q: What inspired you to become a BCBA?
Javier: I did RBT work for many years and fell in love with the progress I saw with kiddos and the lasting impact on families. That’s what really drove me to become a BCBA.
Q: Before partnering with Headstart, what did your career look like?
Javier: I bounced around a bit—lead BCBA, operations management, clinical director for smaller companies, mostly working remote. I even tried running my own small practice, but it was tough.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced before Headstart?
Javier: Honestly, it was “not knowing what we didn’t know.” From credentialing and intakes to insurance processing—we were in the dark on so much. With Headstart, everything became a much smoother process.
Q: Was there a moment when you realized you needed more support?
Javier: Definitely. With my previous practice, getting clients was tough, especially competing with big companies with massive budgets. It made me realize something had to change—I needed more support.
Q: Why did you decide to partner with Headstart?
Javier: I’ll be honest—I was skeptical at first. There are so many companies that promise the world. But when I met Me,Training and Engagement Lead, she was bubbly, direct, and walked me through everything. That was the turning point.
Q: How has Headstart supported you in building and growing your practice?
Javier: You’ve done almost everything—setting up my LLC, providing billing and scheduling platforms, and even helping with clients. Anytime I have a question, someone has the answer—or connects me to the right person. That support means everything.
Q: What have been some of your biggest wins since partnering with Headstart?
Javier: Bringing on new kiddos right away was huge. Families are often on waitlists for six months to a year, so helping them sooner feels like a major win. Plus, the consistent support from the team has been a big confidence boost.
Q: What would you say to another BCBA on the fence about starting their own practice?
Javier: It’s scary—but it doesn’t have to be. In hindsight, I wish I’d gone with Headstart from the beginning. They take care of the foundation—insurance, billing, intake—so you can focus on clinical work.
Q: What are your goals moving forward?
Javier: My dream is to build a center that includes a private school for the kids we serve—somewhere they can receive an education tailored to their needs while also accessing ABA services. A place where every child feels welcome.
Q: In one word, how would you describe Headstart?
Javier: Unexpected. I didn’t expect such a positive experience, but that’s exactly what it’s been.
From Dream to Demand: How One BCBA Built a Thriving Practice in Just Weeks
Javier’s journey is proof that BCBAs don’t have to choose between their passion for helping families and the overwhelming demands of running a practice. With Headstart, he gained more than tools—he gained clarity, confidence, and a team that helps him grow sustainably.
In less than two months, he went from launching to nearly full capacity—a milestone that reflects both his commitment and the power of having the right support system in place.
If you’ve ever thought about starting your own practice but felt held back by the unknowns, take it from Javier: you don’t have to do it alone. With the right partnership, your dream of independence isn’t just possible—it’s scalable.
Headstart is here to help you build the practice you’ve always envisioned.
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