“It takes a village.” It’s a phrase many of us are taught, rooted in the belief that unity and togetherness drive collective success. Yet, in today’s culture—where entrepreneurship and individual success are glorified—the term self-made has become a badge of honor. But can both community and individualism propel us forward? Dr. Key Hallmon, an entrepreneur, speaker, and change agent, tackles this question head-on in her HarperCollins debut, No One is Self-Made.

For Dr. Key, village is more than a word—it’s a movement. When she engaged with entrepreneurs at all stages of business, one common thread emerged: they needed community and funding. Rather than focusing solely on financial solutions, she set out to solve both. She understood that building a strong community would organically lead to increased sales, visibility, and access to resources—ultimately impacting funding in a more sustainable way.

This vision materialized as The Village Market, a direct pipeline connecting Black entrepreneurs with consumers and corporate partnerships. To date, her model has generated $8.8 million in direct sales for Black-owned businesses and awarded $800K in grants. Through partnerships with brands like Mastercard and Sprite, The Village Market and The Village Retail have created new opportunities for Black business owners to thrive.

Her belief remains true: “Community will always be the thing that saves us and propels us forward.”

Before launching The Village Market, Dr. Key founded a speaker series called It Takes a Village, where she introduced audiences to successful business owners. This early initiative was a precursor to her broader mission—proving that entrepreneurship thrives in community, not isolation.

Now, with her debut book, No One is Self-Made, she’s expanding this conversation on a national scale.

Set to release on February 4, No One is Self-Made challenges the deeply ingrained belief that success is achieved alone. Dr. Key argues that individualism erases the critical role of mentors, supporters, and communities who help shape an entrepreneur’s journey.

“We must return to community to build our coalition and collective.”

The book explores key challenges entrepreneurs face, including:

• Loneliness
• Financial insecurity
• First-generation business struggles
• Purpose and vulnerability and more.

Dr. Key provides actionable solutions to humanize the hardships while celebrating the journey—offering a bold roadmap for business owners who want to embrace collective economics and community-driven success.

More than just a mantra, “Support is a verb” is Dr. Key’s call to action. She challenges people to actively support Black-owned businesses—not just through one-time purchases, but by making it a lifestyle.

Real support means patronizing Black businesses consistently, knowledge-sharing and mentorship, and gathering intentionally to align on shared missions and visions

By embodying these principles, communities can build long-term economic strength from within.

Dr. Key’s journey as an author started long before No One is Self-Made. At just seven years old, she dreamed of writing a book. Now, she’s bringing that vision to life—not just to share her story, but to provide a blueprint for others.

Reflecting on her journey, she shares:

“You can have a vision when you’re younger, and if you’re diligent, work hard, and treat people well, there will come a time when you actualize the dreams you once spoke about.”

No One is Self-Made is not just a book; it’s a movement. It calls on entrepreneurs, change makers, and leaders to embrace the power of collective success—because real, lasting impact is never built alone.