Meet Nichole daher

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nichole Daher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nichole below.

Nichole , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

The overwhelming majority of all ABA therapy clinics in the US only serve children up to age 6. When my step daughter aged out of her autism therapy program, I was told that she would never be able to find help. If there was no place in the world where she belongs, I was determined to MAKE it. In 2015, I founded Success On The Spectrum, one of the first ABA clinics that served children up to age 18 that also provided ancillary services (like Speech therapy and Occupational therapy).

Currently, the ABA therapy industry is dominated by private equity groups. These ABA therapy clinic must turn a profit for there investors or they shut them down. The financial investors’ fixation on profit has lead to increased analyst caseloads, reduced parent involvement, and therefore, reduced the quality of services kids receive. These cookie-cutter profit machines are turning most ABA clinics into the equivalent of fast food therapy.

I was determined to break this mold. In 2018, I converted Success On The Spectrum into the very first Autism treatment franchise. Each location is individually owned, and over 50% of SOS CEOs are either Autism parents or Autism siblings. We are all dedicated to pursuing quality over profit.

The franchise model in the ABA industry has the advantage of large company resources, training, operations monitoring, purchasing power, and brand recognition… while still holding the “mom and pop” feel and attention from individual owners. The Success On The Spectrum franchise is now setting the standards for high-quality treatment and blazing a trail for excellence.

As the first franchise in the country, the SOS model is transforming the industry by opening brick and mortar Autism Treatment centers that are driven by quality instead of profit. The Franchise company enforces lower caseloads, monitors that client/staff ratios are actually one-to-one, and ensures ethical billing practices.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

In 2014, Nichole Daher became the step mother of an autistic child. Having no experience with special needs, Nichole took “parent training” classes at her stepdaughter’s ABA therapy clinic. Everything seemed well and the child was making progress in leaps and bounds.

When her step daughter turned 7, the ABA clinic terminated services. Nichole discovered that the vast majority of ABA clinics only accepted children up to age 7. In addition, ABA clinics do not offer ancillary services that children with Autism also need in conjunction with ABA. Nichole found this to be a concerning trend, as it was nearly impossible to find complete treatment for autistic kids.

This ignited a passion within her to create a new type of business that provided more access to care for children who need it most. In 2015, Nichole founded Success on the Spectrum— a complete Autism Treatment center that provides ABA therapy, Speech therapy, and Occupational therapy to children with Autism up to age 18 years old.

Through innovative programs, tailored mentorship, and collaborative partnerships, Nichole’s vision took shape. “Success on the Spectrum” became a beacon of hope for individuals and families navigating the challenges of autism. Not only did SOS offer comprehensive services to children of all ages, but it also boasted another visionary feature- a parent viewing room. In effort to have full transparency for a vulnerable demographic, the SOS clinics were monitored by surveillance cameras, which were displayed in a parent viewing room.

She opened 2 different locations in Houston, Texas hoping to offer children like her daughter a pathway to fulfillment and achievement. However, Nichole’s journey was not without its hurdles. She faced guilt about her ever growing waitlist after her 2 clinics were full. She quickly realized that the unmet demand for Autism Treatment services were not going to be fixed by one person’s effort. Armed with a mother’s determination and fueled by her passion, Nichole set out to create something extraordinary—a business that not only generated profit but also made a profound impact on society.

In 2018, Nichole founded SOS Franchising- the first Autism Treatment franchise in the US. This groundbreaking venture is dedicated to providing support, resources, and opportunities for entrepreneurs to open their own Success On The Spectrum treatment centers.

Driven by her mission, Nichole tirelessly worked to build a franchise model that balanced profitability with purpose. She understood that sustainable success required not only financial gains but also high quality services for kids. With this mindset, Nichole infused every aspect of her company with intentionality, ensuring that every decision aligned with her values of inclusivity and empowerment.

Today, Nichole Daher continues to inspire entrepreneurs and activists alike. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of passion, purpose, and profit—proving that with dedication and determination, anything is possible. As she continues to drive change and create opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum, Nichole remains a beacon of hope, lighting the way for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.

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?

A great leader utilizes the skills of others to accomplish a goal. My best advice is to surround yourself with a team of passionate professionals and give them the power to make decisions.

How would you describe your ideal client?

SOS Franchising awards territories to people who are seeking profit with a purpose. Autism parents, teachers, and behavior health professionals have the passion to make a difference in people lives.

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