Afro Caribbean Business Network

Tag: black empowerment

  • Investing for Change: Lessons on Impact Investing in Africa from David Harley of Third Way Capital

    Investing for Change: Lessons on Impact Investing in Africa from David Harley of Third Way Capital

    At ACBN, we are guided by the proverb “I am because we are”—a reminder that prosperity is built through community and collective action. In this spirit, we recently sat down with David Harley, CEO of Third Way Capital, to explore how impact investing in Africa is reshaping opportunities for entrepreneurs, communities, and investors alike.

    Third Way Capital is a venture holding company investing in scale-ready SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a mission to see the region become home to some of the best-run companies in the world. Harley’s perspective provides valuable lessons for entrepreneurs seeking to align profitability with purpose.

    1. Impact Means More Than Financial Returns

    Impact investing in Africa is not charity—it’s a sustainable model of growth. Harley defines it as any investment made with a clear, focused outcome beyond financial return, ensuring the business itself is viable and stakeholders thrive.

    Insight for entrepreneurs: Clearly define your non-financial goals—such as advancing gender equality or green energy adoption—just as you define financial targets. This clarity attracts investors while reinforcing your commitment to holistic success.

    2. Measure Impact Like You Measure Profit

    For impact to be credible, it must be measured. Harley stresses that entrepreneurs should treat impact goals like financial KPIs, with quarterly reviews, progress tracking, and adjustments along the way.

    Business takeaway:

    • Set best-in-class standards for your goals.

    • Track your operational changes and spending toward those goals.

    • Acknowledge that some impact metrics are qualitative, but still essential to measure.

    3. Patient Capital Builds Lasting Growth

    Traditional private equity models often don’t work in developing markets because they demand rapid returns. In Sub-Saharan Africa, businesses often need patient capital—funding that gives them time to build infrastructure and long-term solutions.

    As Harley puts it: “You’re building the tracks as well as the train.”

    Insight for entrepreneurs: If your business is pioneering new systems in underserved markets, communicate your need for patient growth to investors. Seek funders who understand this long-term vision rather than those pushing for quick exits.

    4. Inclusion and Challenging Legacy Biases

    Despite women representing up to 80% of professionals in the impact space, only about 30% hold leadership positions. Racial inequities also persist—African-led funds are often unfairly perceived as riskier than Western-led ones, despite superior local knowledge.

    Business takeaway:

    • Tap into Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), which are opening up to diverse leaders.

    • Leverage diaspora networks for funding, expertise, and global connections.

    • Recognize that true risk lies in ignoring local expertise, not in embracing it.

    A Call to Entrepreneurs: Align Profit with Purpose

    David Harley’s insights remind us that impact investing in Africa is about more than capital—it’s about building ecosystems of equity and growth. For entrepreneurs, this means staying clear on your values, seeking aligned investors, and being bold enough to lead with purpose even when the old models resist change.

    🎥 Watch the full interview with David Harley here: YouTube Interview

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: Join ACBN

  • When Elders Speak: Joanne Stone-Campbell on Indigenous Wealth and Black Entrepreneurial Leadership

    When Elders Speak: Joanne Stone-Campbell on Indigenous Wealth and Black Entrepreneurial Leadership

    At the Afro-Caribbean Business Network, we know that resilience in business comes not only from strategy and capital but from wisdom—especially the wisdom of Elders. In our When Elders Speak series, we highlight powerful voices whose lessons help entrepreneurs build enterprises rooted in values, community, and continuity.

    In a recent conversation, Joanne Stone-Campbell, a Nishnabe woman originally from Northern Ontario, shared deep insights from her 35 years in education, her MBA studies, and her current role at Vancity in Indigenous finance. Joanne works at the intersection of finance and community, leading efforts to transform how financial institutions serve Indigenous people.

    For Black entrepreneurs, her lessons on Indigenous wealth offer an invaluable roadmap for building ethical, sustainable, and community-centered businesses.

    Key Lessons on Indigenous Wealth for Black Entrepreneurial Leadership

    1. Prioritize Relationships Over Transactions

    For Joanne, genuine success in business is not about services—it’s about relationships. She recalls a hereditary Chief saying, “It’s not a service we want, we want a relationship.”

    Takeaway for Entrepreneurs: Build trust and long-term connection with your clients and communities. Be present, accessible, and responsive—not just transactional.

    2. Decolonize Processes and Customise Offerings

    Much of Joanne’s work involves reviewing financial systems for bias and redesigning them to better serve Indigenous communities. She helped create the Wealth Mindset curriculum, tailored to Indigenous learners, because existing programs failed to connect.

    Takeaway for Entrepreneurs: Audit your systems for bias. Ask: Are there barriers unintentionally excluding certain groups? Customize your offerings so your clients feel represented in your content, stories, and services.

    3. Redefine Wealth Beyond the Dollar

    In Indigenous finance, wealth extends far beyond money. It includes family connections, cultural knowledge, language, songs, stories, and spiritual practice. Institutions like Vancity reflect this by reinvesting 30% of their earnings into the community.

    Takeaway for Entrepreneurs: Expand how you measure impact. Track how your business strengthens cultural ties, supports community well-being, and uplifts families—not just financial returns.

    4. Honor and Leverage the Wisdom of Elders

    Joanne reminds us that Elders carry lived experience equivalent to advanced degrees. They are teachers, healers, and advisors—and should be recognized as such.

    Takeaway for Entrepreneurs: Bring Elders into advisory roles. Compensate them fairly. Support their participation by offering accommodations. Treat their presence not as symbolic, but as a vital source of strategy and foresight.

    A Call to Action for Emerging Leaders

    Joanne’s advice is simple yet powerful: Listen, Learn, and Observe. Emerging leaders should actively seek the wisdom of Elders and seasoned professionals. Even small acts—offering assistance, showing respect, or seeking their counsel—strengthen intergenerational knowledge transfer.

    By valuing Indigenous wealth perspectives, removing systemic barriers, and prioritizing authentic relationships, entrepreneurs can build businesses that are financially strong and deeply rooted in community well-being.

    Watch the full interview with Joanne Stone-Campbell to hear her wisdom on Indigenous wealth and Black entrepreneurial leadership:
    👉 Watch on YouTube

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business:
    https://acbncanada.com/membership/

  • Building Financial Resilience in Canada: Why Income Isn’t the Only Measure of Financial Health in Canada with Eloise Duncan

    Building Financial Resilience in Canada: Why Income Isn’t the Only Measure of Financial Health in Canada with Eloise Duncan

    Recently, we sat down with Eloise Duncan, CEO and Founder of the Financial Resilience Institute, to discuss the urgent state of financial resilience in Canada. With 25 years of consulting experience and a commitment to advancing economic equity, Eloise and her team are reframing how we measure and support financial health—beyond just income.

    The Power of the Index

    Recognizing a massive gap before the pandemic, Eloise created the Seymour Financial Resilience Index (SFRI)—a tool that measures a household’s ability to withstand financial hardship from unexpected shocks like divorce, disability, or job loss.

    This independent model gives policymakers, financial institutions, and businesses the data they need to target support where it’s needed most. For entrepreneurs in the ACBN network, the SFRI is a powerful lens to design better services, employee programs, and customer solutions.

    Key Insights for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

    1. Financial Vulnerability Exists at All Income Levels

    Earning a high salary or having a strong credit score doesn’t always mean financial stability. The Index shows vulnerability across every income group, often tied to behavior or lack of social capital.

    Action step: Build solutions that address financial habits and support systems—not just income brackets.

    2. Data Can Unlock Targeted Support

    The SFRI highlights clear differences between groups, such as millennial women vs. Gen X women, or single-parent households vs. others.

    Action step: Move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. Tailor financial products, wellness programs, and tools to meet the real needs of distinct community segments.

    3. Measure Your Impact Over Time

    The Index allows businesses to benchmark and track changes in financial resilience, showing whether interventions—like wellness programs or customer tools—are making a difference.

    Action step: Use longitudinal data to prove the value of your programs and justify further investment.

    4. Canadians Want Empowerment, Not Pity

    Seventy-five percent of Canadians want to understand and improve their financial resilience. People are working hard, even under pressure.

    Action step: Provide accessible tools that empower individuals and families. The Institute’s new free score tool is one example of how to meet this demand while opening doors for partnerships.

    5. Collaboration is Key to Real Change

    Inflation, rising housing costs, and food insecurity make this a critical moment for collective action. The Institute offers tiered pricing for subscriber reports to make its data widely accessible.

    Action step: Partner with values-aligned organizations to amplify your impact and ensure that support reaches those who need it most.

    Final Word: Building a More Resilient Canada

    Income is only one part of the picture. By leveraging robust data, entrepreneurs can design programs that strengthen both individuals and communities, creating long-term financial well-being.

    🎥 Watch the full interview with Eloise Duncan here: YouTube Interview

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: Join ACBN

  • When Elders Speak: Leadership Lessons from Baba Malik Yakini on Black Entrepreneurial Resilience

    When Elders Speak: Leadership Lessons from Baba Malik Yakini on Black Entrepreneurial Resilience

    At the Afro-Caribbean Business Network, we believe wisdom is capital. Through our series When Elders Speak, we share conversations that help entrepreneurs ground their businesses in values that last.

    Recently, we sat down with Baba Malik Yakini, a Detroit-based pioneer whose decades of leadership span food security, cooperative economics, and community empowerment. As the Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN), Baba Malik has overseen transformative initiatives such as the seven-acre D-Town Farm, youth development programs, and the Detroit Food Commons—home of the community-owned, Black-led Detroit People’s Food Co-op.

    His message is clear: resilient businesses and communities require vision, alignment, and institution building. For Black entrepreneurs, his insights are a blueprint for both personal and organizational longevity.

    Key Leadership Lessons for Black Entrepreneurial Resilience

    1. Align Mission with Spiritual Purpose

    True success comes when leadership decisions align with what is just, balanced, and right. Baba Malik reminds us that spiritual grounding ensures organizations stay true to their core mission.

    Takeaway: Regularly ask yourself—are my products, partnerships, and operations aligned with my values and long-term destiny?

    2. Transition from Soldier to General

    With time, leaders must shift from frontline execution to guiding strategy, mentoring, and transferring knowledge. Baba Malik calls this the evolution from “soldier” to “seasoned general.”

    Takeaway: Entrepreneurs should document their experiences and build systems for passing lessons forward. This ensures your business thrives beyond your direct involvement.

    3. Value Wisdom and Foresight

    Elders provide accumulated wisdom that helps avoid repeating mistakes. Their foresight is a critical compass for sustainable growth.

    Takeaway: Invite experienced voices into your advisory circles. Wisdom from decades past strengthens decisions for decades ahead.

    4. Practice Self-Determination (Kuji Chagalia)

    From farming to food co-ops, Baba Malik stresses the importance of defining success on your own terms. External systems often push short-term gains, but self-determined strategies create lasting independence.

    Takeaway: Shape business models that serve your community’s needs first, not just outside pressures.

    5. Build Institutions That Outlast You

    The Detroit People’s Food Co-op isn’t just about groceries—it’s about creating structures that guarantee self-reliance for generations.

    Takeaway: Think beyond transactions. Build organizations, co-ops, and partnerships designed to stand long after your tenure.

    In Closing

    Baba Malik Yakini’s legacy teaches that leadership is about more than growth—it’s about continuity, accountability, and building institutions that strengthen future generations.

    Watch the full interview to hear Baba Malik’s wisdom on leadership and Black entrepreneurial resilience:
    👉 Watch on YouTube

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business:
    https://acbncanada.com/membership/

  • AI for Small Business Growth: How Dwayne Matthews is Helping Entrepreneurs Secure Economic Power

    AI for Small Business Growth: How Dwayne Matthews is Helping Entrepreneurs Secure Economic Power

    At ACBN, we live by the proverb “I am because we are.” It is through collective knowledge and shared insight that we uncover opportunities to thrive. Recently, we sat down with Dwayne Matthews—global education consultant, UN-recognized leader, and one of the foremost voices on the future of work—to unpack how AI for small business growth can transform our community’s economic future.

    Dwayne’s message is clear: Artificial Intelligence isn’t just about disruption—it’s about empowerment. By shifting from fear to strategy, Black entrepreneurs can harness AI to scale their businesses, create new opportunities, and build generational prosperity.

    Demystifying AI: A Tool, Not a Threat

    Matthews emphasizes that AI is not conscious—it’s a probability engine, predicting strings of words based on vast datasets. The risk is real, but the opportunity is greater.

    Insight for Business Owners: View AI as a practical tool, not an existential threat. Its power lies in automating tasks, amplifying creativity, and opening doors to growth once blocked by gatekeepers.

    The Genie’s Lamp: How AI Unlocks Small Business Potential

    For entrepreneurs, AI is like having a genie’s lamp: it can make things possible that once felt out of reach.

    Practical opportunities include:

    • Affordable Scaling: Access services once limited to corporations—like advanced research, data analysis, or customer service—without hiring full teams.

    • Rapid Web Development: AI can now create professional websites with e-commerce and SEO in hours, not months, and at a fraction of the cost.

    • Training & Documentation: By uploading business processes into AI, you create a virtual trainer, making it easier to scale staff and systems efficiently.

    Key Takeaway: Don’t “boil the ocean.” Use AI to target specific advantages that give you an edge over bigger competitors.

    Securing Economic Power Through AI

    AI is not only changing how we work—it’s changing how we earn and invest.

    • Jobs of the Future: Companies are actively hiring people with AI and ChatGPT expertise. Prompt engineering alone is commanding six-figure salaries.

    • Remote Opportunities: AI-driven roles create pathways for people in emerging economies to earn North American wages.

    • Investment Opportunities: Companies like Nvidia, which power AI’s infrastructure, represent a major part of the “picks and shovels” of this new gold rush.

    Lesson for Entrepreneurs: AI is a pathway to economic power. It creates opportunities for new jobs, new businesses, and smart investments.

    Strategic Thinking Over Panic

    Transformation always brings disruption. Matthews urges entrepreneurs to focus on strategy, not fear:

    • Contextualize Risk: Bias and misinformation aren’t new—they’ve always existed. Develop clear strategies to navigate them.

    • Keep Your North Star: Always ask, “What is the job I’m trying to get done?” Let this guide your AI use.

    • Lead with Ethics: Build human-led, purpose-driven businesses, with AI as a supporting tool, not the driver.

    Final Word: Offense, Not Defense

    Historically, our communities have created billion-dollar cultural movements—Carnival, ride-sharing models, music, and more. AI is the amplifier that allows us to scale these innovations globally.

    Now is the time to play offense, not defense. By embracing AI for small business growth, entrepreneurs in the ACBN network can build prosperity, secure economic independence, and shape the future.

    🎥 Watch the full interview with Dwayne Matthews here: YouTube Interview

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: Join ACBN

  • Impact Investing in Canada: How the Definity Foundation is Redefining Capital and Equity with Arti Freeman

    Impact Investing in Canada: How the Definity Foundation is Redefining Capital and Equity with Arti Freeman

    In a powerful conversation with Arti Freeman, CEO of the Definity Foundation, we explored how the organization is leveraging all forms of capital—not just grants—to create what they call a justice model of philanthropy. For Black entrepreneurs and community leaders, their approach offers valuable lessons on impact, equity, and sustainable growth.

    A Justice Model for Philanthropy

    Founded in 2018 with $100 million from the demutualization of Economical Insurance (now Definity Insurance), the Definity Foundation has made equity its central purpose. Instead of a traditional charity model, DF embraces a justice model of philanthropy—acknowledging historical wrongs while investing in Black, Indigenous, racialized, and equity-seeking communities.

    Particular attention is given to women and youth of colour, who are often the furthest behind in access to resources and opportunities.

    Key Insights for Business Owners

    1. Think Holistically About Capital

    DF reminds us that true equity requires more than just financial resources. They leverage:

    • Financial Capital: including impact investing.

    • Human Capital: the skills and expertise of their team.

    • Social Capital: networks, influence, and partnerships.

    • Physical Assets: spaces and infrastructure that can be repurposed for equity work.

    Lesson: Entrepreneurs should also map their holistic assets. Beyond money, how can your networks, knowledge, or spaces fuel equity and innovation?

    2. Align Investments with Purpose

    One of DF’s early moves was investing in Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. This impact investing strategy ensures resources create equity, not just returns.

    Lesson: Business owners can also align reserves, supply chains, or partnerships with impact-driven values. Every dollar should advance your mission.

    3. Trust Community Ingenuity

    DF’s relational model trusts that communities already have the brilliance to solve their own challenges. Their role is to provide flexible, long-term funding and reduce traditional power imbalances.

    Lesson: Instead of micromanaging, provide flexible support to your teams and partners. Innovation thrives when those closest to the challenge lead.

    4. Make Learning Your Strategy

    DF is committed to testing, adapting, and evolving quickly based on feedback.

    Lesson: Entrepreneurs should adopt the same mindset—launch, learn, and adjust. Courageous action and humility to learn are the real growth engines.

    5. Choose Collaboration Over Competition

    “The days of the Lone Wolf are over,” Freeman notes. DF works alongside other foundations, sharing knowledge and due diligence to accelerate change.

    Lesson: Entrepreneurs can achieve more by collaborating—sharing insights, resources, and strategies—to strengthen the entire ecosystem.

    Building the Future Together

    The Definity Foundation is proving that impact investing in Canada can go beyond grants and create systemic change. Their work challenges us to rethink how we use our assets, relationships, and influence to advance justice.

    For business owners in the ACBN network, the takeaway is clear: equity and impact are built collectively, not in isolation.

    🎥 Watch the full interview with Arti Freeman here: YouTube Interview

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: Join ACBN

  • Climate Justice in Canada: Why Businesses Must Lead the Transformation with Alicia Richins

    Climate Justice in Canada: Why Businesses Must Lead the Transformation with Alicia Richins

    We recently sat down with Alicia Richins, Climate Justice Advocate and expert in ecological economics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to explore how climate justice in Canada intersects with business, equity, and innovation.

    Her insights reveal not only why climate justice matters for our communities, but also how Black entrepreneurs can position themselves as leaders in building a sustainable and just future.

    Interconnection and Local Action

    Climate justice requires us to see the connections between social issues, economic disparity, and environmental challenges. Alicia reminds us that the SDGs provide a powerful framework, but transformation only happens when we translate broad goals into local, tangible action.

    What this means for business owners:

    • Embed sustainability into your business model, starting with your immediate community.

    • Reject “business as usual.” The old ways weren’t serving us. True sustainability means building a world that is prosperous, equitable, and regenerative.

    Innovation and Accountability as Tools for Change

    For Alicia, transformation requires both creativity and proof of impact.

    • Harness social innovation: Think of innovation as a sandbox where businesses can test bold new ideas before scaling.

    • Mandate impact measurement: Define your goals, collect data, and prove your results. A strong evidence base will make your business more credible to funders, partners, and customers.

    Unpacking Systemic Barriers

    Environmental challenges are never neutral—they disproportionately affect racialized communities. Alicia highlights that neighborhoods with fewer trees, poorer transit, and closer proximity to industrial zones face higher pollution, worse health outcomes, and reduced economic opportunity.

    Insights for entrepreneurs:

    • Demand evidence against greenwashing. Don’t settle for surface-level sustainability claims—prove your business impact.

    • Connect the dots. Understand how climate intersects with housing, health, and employment. Build solutions that address root causes.

    • Start from systems. Climate catastrophe is linked to colonialism, racial hierarchies, and a separation from nature. Businesses must commit to reconciliation and reparations as part of real climate action.

    A Call to Reorientation

    We already have the technology and knowledge to avoid climate collapse. What holds us back is the inertia of the very systems that created the crisis.

    Alicia’s challenge to entrepreneurs is clear: rethink how you do business. Sustainability is not just about cutting emissions—it’s about recognizing that we are part of nature and building businesses rooted in equity, imagination, and care.

    Watch the Full Interview

    Discover Alicia Richins’ powerful insights on climate justice in Canada and learn how your business can lead the transformation.
    🎥 Watch here: YouTube Interview

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: Join ACBN

  • Fundraising in Canada: Unlocking Capital and Impact for Black Entrepreneurs with Andre Beaudry

    Fundraising in Canada: Unlocking Capital and Impact for Black Entrepreneurs with Andre Beaudry

    At ACBN, our work is rooted in the proverb “I am because we are.” Collaboration, collective power, and community investment are at the heart of building lasting impact.

    We recently sat down with Andre Beaudry, Founder of Velocity Collaboration and a veteran of Canada’s fundraising ecosystem, to uncover essential insights for business owners and organizations navigating philanthropy. His expertise offers practical strategies on fundraising in Canada—from securing corporate partnerships to tapping into generational wealth—and shows how Black entrepreneurs can mobilize resources to create transformational change.

    The Secret to Securing Funds: Alignment and Accountability

    At its core, fundraising is about aligning values. Success comes when your vision connects directly with a donor’s priorities.

    Fundraisers act as the bridge between philanthropists—who want to create impact—and entrepreneurs, who know how to make it happen. For business owners, demonstrating accountability and keeping donors informed is crucial for building trust and long-term relationships.

    Philanthropy is especially vital in Canada. Government funding leaves gaps in healthcare, education, childcare, and community services—and your business or organization may be the solution donors are seeking.

    Where the Capital Is: Canada’s Largest Asset Pools

    To elevate your fundraising in Canada, you must know where the biggest opportunities lie:

    1. Corporate Canada (ESG focus): Companies are increasingly investing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Align your mission with their goals to unlock powerful partnerships.

    2. The Aging Population: One of the wealthiest cohorts in Canadian history is ready to give. Their focus is legacy and measurable impact. Craft your message around long-term change.

    3. Creative Assets: Beyond cash, donors can gift real estate or other assets. Through tools like charitable remainder trusts, they receive immediate tax benefits while your organization gains long-term stability.

    Scaling Up: Lessons from Capital Campaigns

    If you’re planning a major project, understanding capital campaign strategy is essential:

    • Do your research: Be clear about your priorities before asking for money.

    • Run a feasibility study: Interview current and potential donors to determine what resonates and how much you can realistically raise.

    • Use a Quiet Phase: Raise 70–75% of your goal privately before launching publicly to protect your brand.

    • Empower volunteers: Campaign success often comes from well-connected volunteers making direct asks.

    Collaboration Is the Key to Lasting Impact

    For small organizations and entrepreneurs, collaboration is not optional—it’s a necessity. Partnering with others allows you to share costs, strengthen influence, and achieve far greater results together.

    Final Insight: Fundraising in Canada is not just about money. It’s about building relationships, pooling community power, and creating opportunities for collective liberation.

    Watch the Full Interview

    For more on fundraising strategies, asset pools, and collaborative approaches, watch our full conversation with Andre Beaudry here: Watch on YouTube

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: ACBN Membership

  • AI for Black Entrepreneurs: How Innovation Can Drive Sustainable Growth with Foster Akugri

    AI for Black Entrepreneurs: How Innovation Can Drive Sustainable Growth with Foster Akugri

    At ACBN, we stand on the African principle Ubuntu “I am because we are.” Our mission is to mobilize ecosystems through authentic conversations with thought leaders shaping the future of business.

    We recently sat down with Foster Akugri—Head of Innovation at Old Mutual Limited in Ghana and Founder of the Hack Lab Foundation—to explore how AI for Black entrepreneurs can work together to unlock productivity, scale businesses, and build sustainable impact. His insights offer a roadmap for every business owner ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

    1. Harnessing AI to Multiply Productivity

    AI has shifted from theory to reality. From tools like ChatGPT to design platforms and automation systems, AI is redefining what’s possible.

    What business owners can take away:

    • Cut turnaround time: AI streamlines research, drafting, and analysis, letting you deliver results in hours instead of days.

    • Expand your capacity: Free up time from repetitive tasks and focus on people, strategy, and relationships.

    • Leverage creative tools: Tap into generative AI for posters, flyers, animations, and website design without needing large budgets.

    Key Insight: AI isn’t about replacing people—it’s about giving entrepreneurs the breathing room to innovate and lead.

    2. AI and the Future of Work

    AI is flattening barriers to entry, making space for non-technical founders to launch tech-enabled ventures.

    • Reduced barriers: Anyone with vision can now use AI platforms to build prototypes or execute technical tasks.

    • Rise of the generalist: Tomorrow’s professionals will be able to wear many hats, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

    • The caveat: AI provides knowledge, but not wisdom. Human experience and judgment remain irreplaceable.

    3. Building Businesses That Last

    Foster’s experience supporting SMEs highlights one recurring issue: too many businesses lack proper systems and governance.

    Lessons for entrepreneurs:

    • Great ideas need structure—set up systems that can run without you.

    • Adopt institutional discipline—borrow lessons from banks and large firms to build processes that ensure sustainability.

    4. Innovation Through Anticipation and Community

    The Hack Lab Foundation is a model for forward-thinking entrepreneurship. By training communities on emerging skills years before they’re needed, they help talent leapfrog industries.

    For ACBN business owners, this means:

    • Stay ahead of global trends like blockchain or AI.

    • Use competitions and collaborative challenges to inspire innovation within your teams.

    5. Lead with Purpose, Become a Change Agent

    Foster’s closing message is clear: entrepreneurs must prioritize purpose and community impact.

    • Put stakeholders first: Impact investors seek businesses driven by mission, not just profit.

    • Shift perspective: Where others see problems, train yourself to see opportunities.

    • Be the change agent: Leadership starts with self-discipline—your mindset sets the tone for your family, community, and business.

    Closing Call

    AI is one of the greatest tools of our generation, and for Black entrepreneurs, it’s an opportunity to level the playing field. The key is to embrace it, prepare your business with strong systems, and lead with purpose.

    Watch the full interview with Foster Akugri here: Watch on YouTube

    Learn about our ACBN Membership so we can work with you to build your business: ACBN Membership

  • Day 1 – Small Business Month Series: Core Values for Small Business

    Day 1 – Small Business Month Series: Core Values for Small Business

    Small Business Month Series: Day 1 — Core Values for Small Business

    Welcome to the series

    ACBN Canada and Empowered 4x have teamed up for a 24-day sprint to help you start strong or tune up what you’ve already built. Day 1 set the foundation with facilitator Chris-Beth Cowie and ACBN co-founder Ryan Knight. Every session will be compiled into an Empowered 4x learning vault so you can revisit the material later.

    What are core values for small business?

    Core values for small business are the non-negotiable principles that guide how you operate—especially under pressure. They shape your brand, your team culture, and the customer experience. More importantly, they turn tough choices into consistent actions.

    Why this matters for Black entrepreneurs

    Because access to networks and capital can take longer, clarity saves time and protects energy. Clear values help you choose aligned partners, set fair policies, and build trust in rooms that weren’t designed with you in mind. As a result, your business moves with confidence instead of reacting to the loudest voice or the fastest dollar.

    Values beat vibes

    “Vibes” fade when stakes are high. Written values act like fences: you can’t write rules for every scenario, but values keep decisions inside healthy boundaries. Without them, small compromises can snowball into costly issues.

    Core values in real life

    • Partnership fit: A founder ended a restaurant partnership after a co-owner ignored allergen-safety protocols—integrity and safety weren’t shared values.
    • Customer care: Empowered 4x pairs a strict no-refund policy with grace. Even when a deadline is missed, the team explains policies, explores options, and aims for a better outcome. In practice, compassion and excellence sit beside accountability.

    Where core values show up daily

    • Hiring and leadership: Who you bring in and how you coach.
    • Pricing and policies: Payment plans, guarantees, refunds.
    • Partnerships: Which sponsors or collaborators you accept.
    • Operations: From safety checklists to how you handle mistakes.
    • Marketing: The promises you make—and keep.

    A 15-minute exercise to define your top 3–5

    1. Reflection moments
      When were you most proud at work? Which value was present? Conversely, when were you most frustrated? Which value was violated?

    2. Role models
      Who do you admire and why? What do you refuse to emulate?

    3. Hard lines
      Under financial pressure, what line would you never cross?

    4. Future story
      How do you want people to describe your business in 10 years?

    5. Daily behaviours
      What actions should happen even when no one is watching?

    Write down themes you repeat. Then cluster them into 3–5 clear words (for example: Integrity, Safety, Service, Equity, Excellence).

    Make values operational (not ornamental)

    • Translate each value into 2–3 behaviours
    “Safety” → “We label allergens and confirm orders twice.”
    “Equity” → “We publish payment-plan options on every offer.”

    • Add a decision rule
    “If a decision conflicts with any value, we pause and escalate.”

    • Publish and teach
    Include values in proposals, onboarding, and team meetings.

    • Review weekly
    Ask, “Where did we live our values? Where did we drift, and why?”

    Common pitfalls (and quick fixes)

    • Too many values
    Fix: Cap it at five. If everything is a priority, nothing is.

    • Vague words
    Fix: Pair each value with behaviours a stranger could observe.

    • Values vs. incentives mismatch
    Fix: Align bonuses, promotions, and vendor choices to the values.

    ACBN x Empowered 4x: how we support you

    Empowered 4x is values-driven (community first, equity, excellence) and offers professional virtual office services, training, and coaching to help you build structure. ACBN focuses on breaking barriers—especially access to capital—through microlending, loan readiness, and ecosystem connections. Together, we help you turn values into momentum.

    Homework

    Identify your 3–5 core values and write behaviours under each. Then ask: do I live these values daily? If not, what will change this week?

    Next up: Day 2 — Mission

    Tomorrow we’ll craft a one-sentence mission that turns values into direction—and into decisions you can act on immediately.

    Be sure to join us for our next session: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/empowered-4x-8081928236

    Dont forget to become an ACBN Member by visiting: https://acbncanada.com/membership/