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No One Is Self-Made: Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life
This book isn’t just for one kind of entrepreneur—it’s for every kind. Whether you're thriving with purpose or struggling to grow your business and battle self-doubt, No One is Self-Made offers solutions and encouragement you need to push forward with the right community. From the visionary behind the groundbreaking Village Market, a direct pipeline connecting Black businesses to engaged consumers, this inspirational guide dares to dismantle the myth of individualism and reveals how collective support can shatter systemic barriers to success. It’s a bold roadmap for entrepreneurs and leaders determined to rewrite the rules of business.
Support is a verb.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon keeps this mantra pinned to her wall as a reminder of the undeniable impact of community. When she was pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams, she quickly saw the racial disparities and systemic issues affecting Black small businesses. She began meeting many brilliant entrepreneurs and small business owners, recognizing their potential to soar if backed by invested supporters.
In response, Dr. Hallmon founded the Village Market and challenged people to put the “Support is a Verb” mantra to action by rallying around businesses within their own communities. As a result, The Village Market funneled millions of dollars into local businesses, attacking the wealth gap and spiriting economic prosperity. This replicable model has inspired others nationwide to adopt a similar approach and economic strategy. She found that her beliefs were true: that by rooting our lives, businesses, and work in community–we find resources to create and support economic mobility from within.
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.
Support is a verb.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon keeps this mantra pinned to her wall as a reminder of the undeniable impact of community. When she was pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams, she quickly saw the racial disparities and systemic issues affecting Black small businesses. She began meeting many brilliant entrepreneurs and small business owners, recognizing their potential to soar if backed by invested supporters.
In response, Dr. Hallmon founded the Village Market and challenged people to put the “Support is a Verb” mantra to action by rallying around businesses within their own communities. As a result, The Village Market funneled millions of dollars into local businesses, attacking the wealth gap and spiriting economic prosperity. This replicable model has inspired others nationwide to adopt a similar approach and economic strategy. She found that her beliefs were true: that by rooting our lives, businesses, and work in community–we find resources to create and support economic mobility from within.
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.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published February 4, 2025
24 people are currently reading
2019 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 11, 2025
I did not know of Dr. Hallmon before reading this book, but I’m so glad I’ve heard of her now! “No One Is Self-Made” is a great book to gift an entrepreneur or college kid in your life. It showcases the power of networking and community and how important they are to success. In America, we are sold this idea that success is an individualistic Hunger Games process, and that, to succeed, someone else must fail. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth, and I’m glad this book emphasized community so much. We are in a new world where we can recreate the rules of success and the roadmap to get there, and this book can be a guiding hand in that.
Dr. Hallmon’s memoir-style storytelling leads us through the ups and downs of building a business, systemic barriers to achieving success, finding purpose, and more. While everyone reading this may not face the exact struggles, aspire to be an entrepreneur, or be from the same background as her, there are still plenty of takeaways that make this a must-read.
Thank you to #NetGalley for a review copy of #NoOneIsSelfMade. All feedback is my unbiased opinion, not paid, and simply for the love of books.
Dr. Hallmon’s memoir-style storytelling leads us through the ups and downs of building a business, systemic barriers to achieving success, finding purpose, and more. While everyone reading this may not face the exact struggles, aspire to be an entrepreneur, or be from the same background as her, there are still plenty of takeaways that make this a must-read.
Thank you to #NetGalley for a review copy of #NoOneIsSelfMade. All feedback is my unbiased opinion, not paid, and simply for the love of books.
April 17, 2025
No One Is Self-Made: Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life by Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon is a compelling and insightful guide that challenges the myth of individual success by emphasizing the power of community. Drawing from her experience founding The Village Market, Hallmon illustrates how collective support can dismantle systemic barriers and foster economic prosperity. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, she offers entrepreneurs a roadmap to build sustainable businesses rooted in collaboration and shared purpose. While the book is particularly resonant for Black entrepreneurs, its principles are universally applicable, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to thrive in business and life. Hallmon's mantra, "Support is a verb," encapsulates the essence of the book, inspiring readers to actively engage in uplifting one another. With its blend of personal narrative and actionable strategies, this book serves as both a motivational read and a practical toolkit for success.
February 5, 2025
First, I want to say I love Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon and all the work she is doing with The Village Market, The Village Retail, and Our Village United. This queen is doing genuinely fantastic work, and that work was expertly cataloged in this book.
Now, the reason for the rating: I felt like this book was doing way too many things at once. The title suggests a business book, but it is also a memoir and a self-help book for entrepreneurs all in one - which, for me, is doing way too much.
It's not bad by any means; it's just doing A LOT. Still, if you are an entrepreneur looking for some tea and memoir vibes from a successful entrepreneur who has been through the trenches growing their business, I recommend this.
Now, the reason for the rating: I felt like this book was doing way too many things at once. The title suggests a business book, but it is also a memoir and a self-help book for entrepreneurs all in one - which, for me, is doing way too much.
It's not bad by any means; it's just doing A LOT. Still, if you are an entrepreneur looking for some tea and memoir vibes from a successful entrepreneur who has been through the trenches growing their business, I recommend this.
January 15, 2025
At its core, this book is a very encouraging and helpful book for entrepreneurs, particularly Black entrepreneurs. It’s also quite a lot of memoir about Hallmon’s journey from teacher to running a huge nonprofit that supports Black businesses in her community and around the country. I found a lot of helpful advice that I plan to use in running a free community arts center that our family runs and also a lot of good advice for myself personally. It’s a great resource.
I read a digital ARC of this book via netgalley.
I read a digital ARC of this book via netgalley.
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September 10, 2025This is a really great book for entrepreneurs or really anyone in a leadership role. I learned a lot and took notes and will carry with me into my business as well as into coaching sessions with other business owners to help them grow.
As a “recovering” hyper independent person, I also appreciated the hints at asking for help. I also got a lot out of the reframing of the myth of being “self-made” I will definitely never call myself self made ever again ♥️
As a “recovering” hyper independent person, I also appreciated the hints at asking for help. I also got a lot out of the reframing of the myth of being “self-made” I will definitely never call myself self made ever again ♥️
February 6, 2025
I really love this book! It's the type of book you go back to read because there are so many gems! It really explains why we've been indoctrinated to think we have to be successful on our own when there are so many people along the way that help us on our journeys. I really appreciate the ideology that coalition, community, love and more is a necessary part of your village.
January 9, 2026
I enjoyed reading this book- the entrepreneurial spirit, both in conception and in action. I love the purposeful way Dr. Hallmon went about her business building her business. I was encouraged! Thank you. I'm part of the village!
August 22, 2025
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.
December 11, 2025
Review to come...
October 3, 2025
On the positive side, the author seems genuinely interested in supporting budding entrepreneurs and in expressing gratitude to the many people who contributed to her success. I found this commendable. She has some pretty good ideas, and I imagine that there are people who would benefit from her actionable insights. This was an easy and quick read, with mostly a conversational tone. There is also an extensive bibliography, broken down by chapter, starting on pages 211-227 of my copy.
For balance, I'll share my constructive comments. Some or all of these matters might be addressed in future editions of the book. I found many of the sentences redundant because of repetition, so that made the book less appealing to me as a I read through it. This 227-page book could have been even shorter if each point were made more concisely. Also, some of the language was too informal for me.
I'm not sure about the final copy, but in the uncorrected version that I received, she states some facts with very few endnotes or footnotes to link the facts with the bibliography. The nonfiction books that I'm accustomed to reading tend to have clearer citations and a more formal tone.
I am grateful for the uncorrected proof that I received before publication. Peace be with you.
For balance, I'll share my constructive comments. Some or all of these matters might be addressed in future editions of the book. I found many of the sentences redundant because of repetition, so that made the book less appealing to me as a I read through it. This 227-page book could have been even shorter if each point were made more concisely. Also, some of the language was too informal for me.
I'm not sure about the final copy, but in the uncorrected version that I received, she states some facts with very few endnotes or footnotes to link the facts with the bibliography. The nonfiction books that I'm accustomed to reading tend to have clearer citations and a more formal tone.
I am grateful for the uncorrected proof that I received before publication. Peace be with you.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews