Nichole Daher

Nichole Daher (born March 10, 1986, in Lafayette, Louisiana) is an American entrepreneur, CEO of SOS Franchising, and the founder of Success On The Spectrum, the first autism treatment franchise in the United States. Daher is recognized for her pioneering efforts in providing comprehensive care and therapy for children with autism, extending beyond the traditional limitations of age and services.

Early Life and Inspiration

Nichole Daher's journey into the world of autism care began in 2014 when she became the stepmother of an autistic child. Unfamiliar with the needs of special needs children, Daher took "parent training" classes at her stepdaughter's Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy clinic. Her stepdaughter made significant progress, but when the child turned seven, the ABA clinic discontinued its services, revealing a widespread issue: most ABA clinics only cater to children up to the age of seven and often lack ancillary services needed by autistic children.

This experience ignited Daher's passion for creating a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to autism treatment. She identified a gap in the availability of complete treatment options for children with autism and set out to fill that void.

Founding Success On The Spectrum

In 2015, Daher founded Success On The Spectrum (SOS) in Houston, Texas. The center was designed to offer a full spectrum of autism treatment services, including ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, for children up to 18 years old. Daher's innovative approach included a parent viewing room with surveillance cameras, allowing for full transparency in the care of a vulnerable demographic.

Success On The Spectrum quickly became a beacon of hope for families affected by autism, offering comprehensive and accessible services in an environment that emphasized inclusivity and empowerment.

Expansion and SOS Franchising

Despite the success of her initial centers, Daher recognized that the demand for quality autism treatment services far exceeded what she could provide through just two locations. Motivated by this realization, Daher founded SOS Franchising in 2018, making Success On The Spectrum the first autism treatment franchise in the United States. The franchise model aimed to support other entrepreneurs in opening their own SOS centers, expanding access to high-quality autism care across the country.

Daher's vision for SOS Franchising was to create a sustainable business model that balanced profitability with purpose. Each franchise was designed to provide the same level of care and transparency that made her original centers successful, ensuring that more children and families could benefit from the services.

Awards and Recognition

Nichole Daher’s work has earned her numerous accolades, recognizing her as a leader in both business and humanitarian efforts. Some of her notable awards include:

Houston Humanitarian Award (2024) - City of Houston
The Most Influential Business Leader to Watch in 2024 - The Enterprise World Magazine
Most Empowering Women Leader of 2024 - Fortunes Wall
Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives (2024)
World’s Most Prominent Women Leaders in Business (2024) - World Leaders Magazine
Top 100 Healthcare Leaders Award (2021) - IFAH
20 Most Inspiring Women Leaders (2021) - The Women's Leader Magazine
Top 20 Dynamic CEOs (2022) - The CEO Publication
20 Most Successful Women Leaders (2022) - The Corporate Magazine

Company Achievements

Under Daher's leadership, Success On The Spectrum and SOS Franchising have also received numerous awards, including:

2024 Top ABA Therapy Service Provider - Healthcare Business Review
2024 Top 10 Companies to Buy In 2024 - The CIO Media
2022 Top 50 Companies - IFAH
2020 Best Child Behavioral Franchise - CV Magazine
2019 Houston Award in the Mental Health category - Houston Award Program

Legacy

Nichole Daher’s contributions to the autism community and the field of healthcare entrepreneurship continue to inspire others. Her story is a testament to the power of combining passion with purpose, and her work has created a lasting impact on the lives of countless children and families. As she continues to expand her vision through SOS Franchising, Daher remains dedicated to making the world a more inclusive and supportive place for individuals on the autism spectrum.