Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathenael Hailegiorgis.
Hi Nathenael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
If someone had told me a years ago that I would be opening a center for ABA therapy I would not have believed them. Our journey to get here was not easy. It was an winding road that involved a lot of learning and taking risks. I had to believe in myself and my ability to create something that would make a difference in peoples lives.
This experience taught me how important it is to provide kind and reliable care to people who need it. I also saw how hard it can be for families to get the help they need.
As I learned more about autism and ABA therapy I realized that I could build something that would put families first. I talked to parents who had been waiting for months to get help, therapists who wanted to work in a place where they felt supported and professionals who thought that care could be provided in a way. These conversations stuck with me. Eventually became the foundation for Sunbeam Center.
Starting the center was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever taken on. There were countless unexpected obstacles, and moments where I questioned whether everything would come together. We invested not just financially, but emotionally. Every decision from designing the therapy rooms to hiring our first team members was made with one question in mind: “Is this what’s best for the children and families we serve?”
When we finally opened our doors in March 2026 it felt amazing. Seeing our first clients walk in is a moment I will never forget. Watching children get better celebrating their successes with their families and seeing our staff care about the kids reminds me every day why we started Sunbeam Center.
We are still small organization and we are learning and growing every day. But our goal has not changed: we want to create a place where children feel safe families feel supported and our team feels proud of what they do. I know we are just getting started. I am excited to see what the future holds for us and the lives we will touch along the way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. I’ve learned that building a business is never as straightforward as it looks from the outside.
One of the biggest challenges was simply starting from scratch. There were days when it felt like every time we solved one problem, two more would appear. Between licensing, insurance credentialing, hiring qualified staff, and preparing the clinic to open, there were countless moving pieces that all had to come together at the right time.
Finding the right people has probably been one of the hardest parts. In healthcare, your team is everything. We’ve had situations where people accepted job offers and changed their minds, didn’t show up for interviews, or left shortly after starting. Those moments are frustrating, especially when you know families are waiting for services and depending on you. But they’ve also taught me to be patient and to never compromise when it comes to building the right team.
There were also plenty of moments of self-doubt. As a business owner, you carry the weight of every decision. You’re responsible for your employees, your clients, and the future of the organization.
Financially, opening a clinic is a huge commitment. Before we ever welcomed our first client, we invested a significant amount of time, energy, and money into creating a space that families could trust. There isn’t a shortcut, you have to believe in your vision long before anyone else can see it.
What has kept me going is remembering why we started. Every time I see a child make progress, hear a parent say they finally feel supported, or watch our team celebrate a client’s success, it reminds me that the difficult days are part of building something meaningful.
I’ve come to realize that the challenges weren’t roadblocks, they were lessons. They forced me to become a better leader and a better listener. Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey because it’s shaped both me and Sunbeam Center into what we are today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
we provide clinic-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism, but our goal has always been much bigger than simply providing therapy. We want to create a place where children genuinely enjoy coming, where parents feel heard and supported, and where our team has the resources they need to do their best work.
One thing that sets us apart is that we’re intentionally growing at a pace that allows us to give every family the attention they deserve. We’re not focused on becoming the biggest ABA provider, we’re focused on becoming one of the most trusted. That means building real relationships with families, communicating openly, and making sure every child receives an individualized treatment plan that reflects their unique strengths and needs.
We also believe that quality care starts with quality people. We invest heavily in hiring compassionate professionals who genuinely care about the children they work with. Skills can be taught, but kindness, patience, and empathy are qualities we value just as much. We want every child who walks through our doors to feel safe, encouraged, and celebrated for who they are.
We’re still at the beginning of our journey, but that’s what makes this chapter so exciting. Every family that chooses Sunbeam places an incredible amount of trust in us, and we never take that for granted. As we continue to grow, our commitment will remain the same: to provide evidence-based, compassionate care while creating a positive experience for every child and every family who walks through our doors.
At the end of the day, our mission is simple. We want to help children build the skills they need to become more independent and confident, while giving families hope, support, and a partner they can rely on throughout that journey.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Simply by helping us reach the families who need our services. If you know a family looking for compassionate, high-quality ABA therapy, we’d be honored to be part of their journey.
We’re also always looking to connect with others who share our passion for helping children thrive. Whether you’re a BCBA, RBT, healthcare provider, pediatrician, speech or occupational therapist, school professional, or another organization serving children and families, we’d love to explore ways we can collaborate. We believe the best outcomes happen when professionals work together with families toward a common goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunbeamaba.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunbeamabacenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sunbeam-ABA-Center-61581080121943/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunbeam-aba-center/
- Other: https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Sunbeam-ABA-Center-EI_IE10795972.11,29.htm
