No One Is Self-Made
Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life
HarperCollins Author, Social Entrepreneur, and Architect of One of America’s Most Impactful Black Business Ecosystems
“No One Is Self-Made” is an inspirational narrative weaving together themes of community, purposeful businesses, and collective economics. This book debunks the myth of being self-made and empowers readers to abandon the notion and lean into community on their pathway to success. Entrepreneurs at any stage of growth will appreciate Dr. Hallmon’s story—with all the ups and downs of founding the Village Market—and the road-tested advice she dispenses for those trying to find success in business, career, and life. She explains economic and social factors, missteps that can derail goals, and the tools necessary to create their own thriving village. Along the way, it becomes clear why working within a collective is a more effective path to success than going it alone.
“Build Your Village.” —
Best Leadership Book Of 2025
A Motivational Self-Help Guide with a Community-Oriented Approach, Rewrite the Rules of Business with Collective Support
Named to the Next Big Idea Club’s Best Leadership Books of 2025
(Curated by Adam Grant, Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink)
As Published by Fast Company
Endorsements
Tabitha Brown
“Dr. Hallmon is showing us how to care for ourselves while building community with others.”
New York Times Bestselling Author, Actor, and Entrepreneur
Eric Ries
“This is a vital resource for a powerful but often underestimated economic force hiding in plain sight.”
New York Times Bestselling Author of The Lean Startup
Tiffany 'The Budgetnista' Aliche
“A powerful reminder that success is built on community and collaboration. A must-read for anyone ready to build something meaningful.”
New York Times Bestselling Author of Get Good with Money
Nedra Glover Tawwab
“Dr. Hallmon is showing us how to care for ourselves while building community with others.”
New York Times Bestselling Author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace
About the Book
We endure so much over the course of building something meaningful. We celebrate the lone genius, the bootstrap founder, the self-made success story. But here’s the truth: every success is a village story.
This book is for those who feel like they’re doing everything right but still struggling—high achievers whose lives look perfect on the outside while they’re quietly exhausted on the inside. It’s for anyone who has been told to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, only to realize those boots were never designed to fit.
Dr. Key Hallmon offers a new framework: one built on collective support, intentional community, and the revolutionary idea that asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s strategy.
Readers Will:
Identify and dismantle the "self-made" myth holding them back
Build a village of strategic supporters who amplify their growth
Create systems for collective success within teams and organizations
Transform from isolated performer to community-centered leader
Apply discussion questions at the end of every chapter
Reader Testimonials
“Dr. Hallmon breaks the trance of hyper individualism and offers a new approach of communal responsibility, with practical steps and reflections to shape your own entrepreneurial village.”
Lindy
Goodreads Review
“Anyone in business—no matter how large or small—should read this book. All aspiring entrepreneurs should grab a copy. It should also be integrated in leadership courses.”
Audible Listener
Audible Review
“A compelling and insightful guide that challenges the myth of individual success… While the book is particularly resonant for Black entrepreneurs, its principles are universally applicable.”
Marcus
Goodreads
“This is a really great book for entrepreneurs or really anyone in a leadership role. As a ‘recovering’ hyper independent person, I appreciated the hints at asking for help.”
Samantha
Goodreads
“Don’t just buy 1 copy, buy 10. No One is Self-Made is one of the best reads I have come across in a long time. This book can change lives, strengthen communities and challenge viewpoints.”
Customer
Village Retail Review
“Her teachings apply to any community—women, Latinx, immigrants—searching for support.”
Customer
Booklist Review
“A great book to gift an entrepreneur or college kid in your life.”
Jessica
Goodreads Review
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Who This Book is For
This book is for anyone ready to grow with intention, lean on community, and build success that’s shared—not solitary.
For Entrepreneurs
Whether you’re just starting or scaling, learn how to build the village that will sustain your growth and protect your vision.
For Corporate Teams
Transform your team from isolated performers into a collaborative village. Perfect for leadership development, team offsites, and culture initiatives.
For Universities & Incubators
Ideal for entrepreneurship programs, business schools, and accelerator cohorts. Discussion questions included in every chapter.
For Community Organizations & Book Clubs
A blueprint for building economic ecosystems that create collective prosperity. Perfect for groups exploring leadership and intentional community.
Bring this Book to Your Organization
Equip your team, conference, or cohort with a shared language for collective success. Bulk discounts available for orders of 25+ copies.
Keynote + Book Bundle: Every Attendee Receives A Signed Copy When You Book Dr. Key To Speak.
Meet the Author
Dr. Lakeysha "Key" Hallmon
Author | Keynote Speaker | Architect of Collective Success
Dr. Key Hallmon is one of the most sought-after voices on collective economics and community-centered leadership. Through her flagship organization The Village Market, retail storefront Village Retail, and national nonprofit Our Village United, she has transformed the lives of thousands of entrepreneurs and deployed nearly $1 million in micro-grants. Her village model has mobilized millions in Black economic power across retail sales, marketplace events, and vendor and contractor partnerships. An award-winning expert in education and business development and proud graduate of Tougaloo College, her work has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, The Breakfast Club, Forbes, and Fast Company.