Watch full video interview here: https://youtu.be/Hytub8liU_c
At ACBN, we believe in the power of I am because we are. Our collective strength lies in sharing the knowledge and tools that help our community thrive.
In this spirit, we sat down with Harpreet Gill, a certified financial advisor and educator, to unpack how entrepreneurs—especially Black business owners—can achieve financial freedom. Harpreet’s journey began when a bank refused her access to her own financial information. That moment of systemic denial fueled her transition from 17 years in social work to finance, with a mission to bring ownership and wealth strategies directly to our community.
Her message is clear: financial freedom for Black entrepreneurs is possible when we understand the rules, apply the knowledge, and build systems for generational wealth.
From self-employed to business owner
Harpreet introduces the Cash Flow Quadrant, popularized by Robert Kiyosaki, to highlight the difference between trading time for money and building systems that generate wealth.
Left side (Employee & Self-Employed): You stop working, you stop earning. No real financial freedom.
Right side (Business Owner & Investor): You own systems and make money work for you. This is where wealth grows and taxes shrink.
Key takeaway: If you are self-employed, your next step is building systems so your business can thrive without you. That’s how financial freedom begins.
Leveraging debt the right way
In Canada, wealth isn’t built just by saving—it’s built by understanding credit. With a strong credit score, you can leverage other people’s money to invest, scale, and build. Financial literacy, Harpreet reminds us, isn’t about math—it’s about knowing the rules of the game and using them to your advantage.
Habits that build wealth
Knowledge only matters when applied. Harpreet advises entrepreneurs to start with their personal finances before scaling their businesses:
Review your last 2–3 months of bank statements. Label every purchase as a need or want.
Recognize that many people overspend $600–$700 a month on convenience items without realizing it.
Start small and start now—time is the most valuable asset in investing.
Protecting your legacy with generational wealth
Generational wealth is more than a buzzword—it’s strategy and preparation. Harpreet breaks down the hidden costs many families overlook:
Debt transfers to next of kin.
Estate freezes with capital gains, probate, and final taxes.
The solution: Life insurance. It covers tax liabilities and transfers wealth tax-free. Without it, families may lose 50% of their assets just to cover taxes.
Ready to take action?
Harpreet’s advice is simple: don’t wait. In just 3.5 years, she paid off $33,000 in debt, saved $93,000 for her first property, built a $30,000 emergency fund, and transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship.
Her mission now includes building financial literacy curricula, children’s resources, and hosting major events like the Branding and Business Scaling Conference (September) and the Wealth Building Gala (November).
Watch the full ACBN interview with Harpreet Gill to learn how to build systems, leverage the rules of money, and protect your legacy: Watch on YouTube
