Meet Ninette Howell

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ninette Howell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ninette, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

The seeds of my confidence and self-esteem were planted early in life, nurtured by a childhood filled with love, encouragement, and faith. My father who is an entrepreneur, owns a barbershop and a few properties in Los Angeles, California. His barbershop has served the community for over 40 years. Through him, I learned resilience and found the courage to pursue my dreams. I watched firsthand how passion and perseverance created a successful business. Growing up with two loving and supportive parents developed my confidence that I can do anything I put my mindset to.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a Licensed Behavior Analyst and owner of an ABA company Shape Center LLC, dedicated to children diagnosed with autism, ages 2 – 18 years old. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientifically-backed approach to helping children with autism improve crucial life skills. What’s most exciting about ABA is its ability to create lasting, positive change in areas like communication, social interaction, and daily living. As a Behavior Analyst, my job is to observe how a child behaves, figure out what’s causing certain actions, and create personalized plans to teach new skills following directions, or interacting with others. I also work closely with the families to guide them on how to support their child’s progress over time. My goal for all is to help each child become more independent and confident while improving their communication and social abilities.

I’m thrilled to announce the opening of our new ABA clinic in San Marcos, Texas which launched mid- August. This new facility is designed to promote the development of social skills and increase communication for children on the autism spectrum. With dedicated spaces for group activities, peer interaction, and specialized communication programs, our goal is to create a nurturing environment where children can thrive socially and academically.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Resilience: Running an ABA business isn’t always smooth—there are challenges with clients, staffing, and even the business side of things. Resilience helped me push through difficult moments and setbacks. Building resilience comes with time, but having a mindset that welcomes challenges is key.

2. Adaptability: The field of ABA is constantly evolving with new research, techniques, and tools. Being able to adapt—whether it’s incorporating new treatment methods or shifting the business model—is essential for long-term success.

3. Leadership: Managing a team, running a business, and interacting with families all require strong leadership. Leading with empathy and clear communication helps create a positive environment for both my staff and clients.

For anyone just starting out, my advice is to embrace obstacles as learning opportunities. Find a strong support system, whether it’s mentors or fellow business owners, to help you stay motivated when things get tough.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

My mentor recommended Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman. It played a significant role in my development as a business owner by providing a clear, structured framework for managing and scaling my ABA company. The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) that the book introduces gave me practical tools to run my business more efficiently and align my team around shared goals.

Some valuable nuggets of wisdom I took away include:
– defining my core values and long – term vision, I was able to ensure everyone on the team knew where we were headed and why. This alignment made decision-making easier and created a sense of purpose for everyone involved.
– focus on key metrics, Traction teaches that tracking the right metrics is essential for maintaining control over your business. I began regularly measuring key performance indicators (KPIs) in areas like client satisfaction, staff performance, and financial health.

The overall lesson I took from Traction was that scaling a business requires systems, discipline, and a well-aligned team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shapecenteraba.com
• Instagram: Shapecenteraba

Image Credits

Leidy Elliot