June 1, 2025

Summary:

In our first episode of Center Stage, Steve Schramm, former CEO and co-owner of Averte, shares his journey from working night shifts at a small residential program to leading and scaling a respected treatment center.

For anyone building or growing a behavioral health organization, this conversation offers grounded lessons in what actually works:

• Relationships first. Steve grew Averte through deep connections - families, clinicians, and community leaders. Word-of-mouth referrals were everything in the early days.

  
  

• Growth needs systems. As the industry shifted toward shorter stays and higher turnover, the team had to evolve. They struggled with spreadsheets, out-of-the-box CRMs, and clunky tools until they found something that fit their workflow and values.

  
  

• You can’t grow stuck at your desk. The turning point? Tools that supported, not replaced, real human connection. With the right systems in place, Steve and his team could spend more time building relationships and less time buried in admin work.

  
  

• The work is hard - but worth it. Steve’s journey is a reminder that growing a center takes grit, creativity, and long hours. But it’s also some of the most meaningful work there is.

If you’re running a small team, planning to expand, or just want to hear from someone who’s been through it all - this episode is for you.