We, “The Enterprise World Magazine,” endure an unquenchable desire to share business stories of leaders at the forefront of a revolution.
For our Issue of “The Most Influential Business Leader to Watch in 2024,” we present Nichole Daher, Founder and CEO of SOS Franchising, leading her way to revolutionize Autism Treatment for good.
However, before we get to her trailblazing story, we need to understand what ABA therapy is. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a leading approach for supporting autistic individuals. This science-based method focuses on developing observable improvements in behavior. Through positive reinforcement and errorless teaching, ABA therapy reduces problem behaviors, teaches essential skills like communication and independence, and promotes a love of learning.
A Mother Building a Bridge of Hope
ABA therapy helps individuals move beyond their symptoms and thrive as functional adults within their communities. This is where Nichole steps in as someone who just started her journey of being a stepmother of an autistic child. New to the situation, she attended parent training classes at her stepdaughter’s ABA therapy clinic.
As the child progressed in leaps and bounds, everything seemed well until she turned 7, and the ABA clinic terminated services. At this point, Nichole discovered the flaws in the system, like the vast majority of ABA clinics only accepted children up to age 7. Additionally, they did 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.
However, she turned these concerns into a passion to create a new type of business that provided more access to care for children who need it most. Witnessing the limited resources available, Nichole envisioned a center that could provide comprehensive services and hope for families. Thus, “Success on the Spectrum” (SOS) was born—a complete Autism Treatment center providing ABA therapy, Speech therapy, and Occupational therapy to children with Autism up to age 18 years old.
Building a Brighter Future
SOS clinics offered high-quality ABA therapy, customized programs, and a unique feature – parent viewing rooms with live camera feeds. This transparency element addressed a crucial concern for a vulnerable population. However, the growing waitlist at her two Houston locations highlighted the unmet demand for such services.
Determined to make a bigger impact, Nichole launched SOS Franchising in 2018. This first-of-its-kind franchise model in the US empowers entrepreneurs to open their own SOS treatment centers.
Nichole Daher meticulously crafted a model that balanced profitability with exceptional care. She believed that long-term success rested on financial sustainability and delivering high-quality services to children. Every aspect of SOS Franchising reflects this commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.
Before dedicating herself to autism treatment, Nichole had a successful career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, working in various hospitals and clinics for over eight years.
Success on the Spectrum: Transforming Autism Treatment
Success on the Spectrum (SOS) is revolutionizing the ABA industry by prioritizing quality care within a franchise model. This unique approach combines the advantages of large-scale resources with the personalized care often found in “mom-and-pop” operations. SOS prioritizes excellence by:
| Enforcing lower client caseloads: | This ensures each child receives the individualized attention they deserve. |
| Maintaining strict one-to-one client-to-staff ratios: | This maximizes the effectiveness of ABA therapy. |
| Mandating ethical billing practices: | Transparency and integrity are core values at SOS. |
SOS goes beyond traditional models by offering comprehensive services, including:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
This holistic approach caters to the diverse needs of children with autism, from diagnosis through adolescence (up to age 18). SOS’s commitment to quality extends beyond its service offerings. The company prioritizes:
- Highly trained staff: Behavior technicians receive comprehensive training, and Behavior Analysts provide superior supervision.
- Scientifically-proven methods: SOS’s ABA programs are built upon the latest research and best practices.
The result? Exceptional care, leading to improved client outcomes and high satisfaction rates among parents and staff. As SOS expands, its mission is to provide children with autism the best possible start on their journey to success.
For Potential Franchise Owners, SOS offers a comprehensive support system, including:
- Discovery Day: A comprehensive introduction to the franchise model, ensuring a clear understanding of all aspects before signing the agreement.
- Protected Territory: Each franchisee receives exclusive rights to operate within a designated geographic area.
- Site Selection and Design: SOS assists with site selection and offers guidelines for the layout, design, and branding.
- Equipment and Supplies: It offers equipment lists, approved vendors, and guidance for acquiring everything needed for smooth operations.
- Licensing and Insurance: SOS helps with the process of obtaining licenses, permits, and in-network contracts with insurance providers.
SOS is more than just a franchise—it is a community dedicated to providing the highest quality autism treatment with a compassionate, human touch. As it continues to grow, its dedication is bringing hope and access to care for countless families.
Empowering Franchisees with Ongoing Support
Beyond providing a proven model and comprehensive services, SOS prioritizes the success of its franchisees through a robust support system:
| Training: Up to 3 franchisee representatives undergo a 2-week intensive program at SOS headquarters. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills to operate their centers effectively. They’ll learn client onboarding, program execution, activity and workshop facilitation, pricing strategies, service standards, operational procedures, record-keeping, accounting, and administrative practices. |
| Group Mentorship: Monthly group meetings for all CEOs foster collaboration and professional development. These meetings focus on analyzing the organization’s structure and culture, identifying areas for improvement, and developing strategies for success. |
| Ongoing Support: SOS offers on-demand assistance for unforeseen administrative challenges with on-site support as needed. |
| Staff Acquisition: SOS helps franchisees find qualified staff by providing hiring guidelines, interview training, and access to a pool of potential candidates through national university partnerships. |
| Technology Integration: Comprehensive software training ensures smooth operations. SOS teaches franchisees how to utilize their practice management software, billing and data collection software, and bookkeeping and payroll software. |
SOS goes beyond simply franchising a business model–it empowers its franchisees with the tools, knowledge, and ongoing support needed to thrive and deliver exceptional care.
Excellence in Empowerment
Nichole Daher is driven by her mission to build a franchise model that balances profitability with purpose, ensuring high-quality services for kids while staying true to her values of inclusivity and empowerment. Her story inspires entrepreneurs and activists, proving the transformative power of passion, purpose, and profit. Nichole Daher remains dedicated to driving change and creating opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum, lighting the way for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.
Her company, Success on the Spectrum, garnered recognition for its achievements:
- Nichole Daher was featured as “World’s Most Prominent Women Leaders in Business, 2024”, Issued by World Leaders Magazine Feb 2024
- In 2019, Success on the Spectrum earned the prestigious BHCOE Accreditation and was honored with the 2019 Houston Award in the Mental Health Clinic category.
- In 2020, CV Magazine awarded Success on the Spectrum as the “Best Neurodevelopmental Disorder Support Franchise – USA” and “Best Child Behavioral Therapy Franchise.”
- Nichole received the Top 100 Healthcare Leaders Award by IFAH in 2021 and was named among the “20 Most Inspiring Leaders” by The Women Leaders Magazine.
- In 2022, Success on the Spectrum was recognized as one of the Top 50 Companies by IFAH for its innovation in the healthcare industry.
- Nichole Daher was honored as one of the “Top 20 Dynamic CEOs in the World” by GHO and The CEO Publication in 2022.
Nichole Daher’s vision and dedication have propelled Success on the Spectrum to remarkable achievements, earning accolades and setting new standards in neurodevelopmental disorder support and child behavioral therapy franchising.
