Social Impact & Legacy Building through Business: A Conversation with Ryan Knight
Daniel Francavilla sat down with Ryan O’Neil Knight, co-founder of the Afro-Caribbean Business Network (ACBN) and the founder of Detailing Knights, to discuss mentorship, social enterprise, and the future of entrepreneurship in Canada. Ryan’s passion for economic empowerment and community-building shines through in his work, particularly in supporting Black entrepreneurs.
Who is Ryan O’Neil Knight?
Daniel Francavilla: Ryan, always great to see you. For those who don’t know you yet, can you introduce yourself?
Ryan Knight: Absolutely. I’m one of the co-founders of the Afro-Caribbean Business Network (ACBN), where we support entrepreneurs of African and Caribbean heritage by helping them grow their businesses. I’m also an entrepreneur myself—I run a company called Detailing Knights, a mobile, waterless car cleaning service that uses plant-based, eco-friendly cleaning products.
But what I’m most proud of is our Knighthood Academy, a youth entrepreneurship program where we work with high school and college students—really anyone looking to start a business. Through our microfranchising model, we help young people gain the skills and experience to become business owners themselves.
Closing the Mentorship Gap for Black Youth
Daniel: At the recent Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto Game Changers Panel, you spoke about the mentorship gap for Black youth. What are some ways we can bridge that gap?
Ryan: One of the biggest things we can do is provide alternative paths for young people. Many youth in our community aren’t exposed to all the opportunities available to them. While formal mentorship is important, informal mentorship can be just as powerful.
At Detailing Knights, our team leaders spend time with student detailers, sometimes just driving around the city and having conversations. That exposure alone opens up new possibilities for them. I’ve seen firsthand how those car rides can spark ambition and dreams. Young people often don’t feel comfortable sharing their aspirations with peers or even family, but mentors can pull those dreams out of them.
The more we get young people out of their environments and into new experiences, the more we can inspire them to envision bigger futures.
Building a Social Enterprise That Lasts
Daniel: You’ve successfully built a social enterprise model with Detailing Knights. What advice do you have for Canadian founders looking to integrate social good into their businesses?
Ryan: It’s a balancing act. When I started, there were years when the business was doing well, but the youth work cannibalized our profits, and vice versa. I had to learn that the business itself must be profitable first. Once you have a strong, self-sustaining business, you can scale your community impact.
Social enterprises operate in a sweet spot—between a traditional nonprofit and a for-profit business. You can still qualify for grants and funding while also selling a high-quality service or product. If you’re doing it right, the more money your business makes, the more good you can do.
Why Canada is a Great Place for Entrepreneurs
Daniel: What are your thoughts on Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem? Why is it a great place to start a business?
Ryan: Canada has phenomenal support systems for entrepreneurs. Over the past 15 years, I’ve had access to entrepreneurship centers, funding programs, and mentorship networks. The Brampton Entrepreneur Centre, for example, played a huge role in my growth.
We’ve also seen new initiatives like the Black Entrepreneurship Program, which has helped build a stronger support network for Black business owners. These resources didn’t exist 15 years ago, and now we’re seeing government investment in social enterprises and social finance funds.
However, there’s still work to do. I’d love to see Canada establish a legal designation for social enterprises, similar to the S-Corp model in the U.S. or what B.C. is experimenting with. That would encourage more businesses to incorporate social good into their DNA.
The ACBN Legacy Symposium: Why Franchising?
Daniel: You’re hosting the ACBN Legacy Symposium again this year at Sheridan College. Why did you choose franchising as this year’s theme?
Ryan: This year’s theme, "Building Wealth Through Franchising," was inspired by my experience on Dragons’ Den and my partnership with Brian Scudamore, the founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Brian built a $700 million business by creating a franchise model that others could buy into and operate successfully.
Franchising is about building a business machine that can operate without you. Too many entrepreneurs are running businesses that depend entirely on them. If something happens to them, the business dies.
I saw this firsthand when a close mentor of mine passed away recently. His business kept running without him—which is rare. That experience made me realize the importance of building systems, hiring a strong team, and structuring businesses to last beyond the founder.
The symposium isn’t just for people looking to buy or sell franchises—it’s about learning how to systematize and scale a business, whether or not you franchise it.
The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub & Government Support
Daniel: The government recently announced the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, along with a $189 million extension for the Black Entrepreneurship Program. What’s your take on this?
Ryan: This is huge. The Knowledge Hub is a game-changer because it maps out all the Black entrepreneurship support programs across Canada. It ensures entrepreneurs can easily find resources, mentors, and funding opportunities.
I also love that the government is investing another $189 million into the Black Entrepreneurship Program. It shows that Canada is taking Black business ownership seriously. But we need to make sure these programs continue to evolve based on the real needs of entrepreneurs.
Social Entrepreneurship: Advice for Nonprofits
Daniel: Many nonprofits are considering social entrepreneurship. What’s your advice for them?
Ryan: The key is diversifying revenue streams. Too many nonprofits rely only on grants and donations, which are unpredictable and competitive.
I encourage nonprofits to explore alternative funding models:
Start a social enterprise that aligns with their mission.
Sell a service to companies that benefit from their expertise.
Consider franchising an existing social business (like what we’re doing with Detailing Knights).
Even if you don’t want to charge the people you serve, someone is willing to pay for the value you provide. That revenue can fund your mission in a more sustainable way.
Who should attend the ACBN Legacy Symposium?
Daniel: If someone is considering attending the symposium, what should they expect?
Ryan: If you’re serious about growth, this event is for you. We’re bringing in top entrepreneurs, like Brian Scudamore and Lynn Ferguson, to teach how to build scalable businesses.
The symposium will include:
A fireside chat with Brian Scudamore (Dragons' Den, 1-800-GOT-JUNK)
Speed networking to connect with business leaders
Workshops on marketing, HR, and operations
A pitch competition
A vendor showcase
But here’s the thing: If you’re comfortable being a solopreneur and don’t want to grow, this event isn’t for you. We’re focused on scaling businesses beyond five employees, so you have a team working on your vision.
If you’re ready to build a legacy and a business that can thrive without you, this is where you need to be.
Find out more about the event here.
What’s next?
Ryan Knight is not just building businesses—he’s building legacies. His work with ACBN and Detailing Knights proves that social entrepreneurship can be both profitable and impactful.
As Canada continues to support diverse entrepreneurs, Ryan is at the forefront, ensuring that Black business owners have the resources, networks, and systems they need to succeed.
If you’re looking to grow your business and create lasting impact, the ACBN Legacy Symposium is the place to be.
