Community-Made vs Self-Made

Rethinking Success in the Age of Interconnection

I’ve often been called a “self-made entrepreneur.” It’s a term we toss around a lot in American culture—an ideal that glorifies independence, hustle, and singular vision. But every time I hear it, I pause. Because the truth is: I am not self-made. I am community-made. And if we’re being honest with ourselves, we all are.

The myth of the self-made man—or woman—is seductive. It feeds the ego. It tells us we are the architects of our own destiny, that our success is a direct product of our personal grit and genius. But that’s a dangerous illusion. One that obscures the networks of support, love, labor, and lineage that make our rise possible.

When I reflect on the journey from my roots in Miami’s multicultural neighborhoods to becoming a developer, investor, and steward of regenerative communities, I don’t see a lone warrior story. I see a constellation of souls—mentors, teachers, risk-takers, caregivers, culture-makers, and ancestors—who held and continue to hold the container for my growth. Especially now as I am journeying through a grief process I never thought I would live with the recent passing of my beloved wife Ximena, my community is holding me. I could not get through this by myself.

And nothing has taught me this more deeply than my relationship with Ximena. So much of what I may get credit for was co-created — born from her intuition and instinct, paired with my passion and drive. She reminded me, again and again, that community is the medicine. That when we create spaces for others to thrive, we heal and rise together.

The deeper I go into this work—of regenerative placemaking, of investing in people and place, of building cities of the future—the more I understand that nothing regenerative can be built alone. Regeneration is a collective act. It's rooted in interdependence, in the messy, miraculous dance of collaboration, in ecosystems thinking. It asks us to let go of the illusion of isolation and lean into the truth: we rise together, or not at all.

This isn’t just philosophy—it’s strategy.

When we over-index on individualism, we build extractive systems. When we recognize our interdependence, we build ecosystems.

The future belongs to those who can weave, not just win. To those who can listen, not just lead. To those who honor the invisible hands that lift them up and, in turn, reach back to lift others.

So I reject the label of “self-made.” I am a product of community. Of shared dreams, collective labor, and spiritual guidance.

To the young visionary out there: know this—your greatness will never be a solo act. Build with others. Heal with others. Dream with others.

Let us celebrate the truth that humbles and liberates us: We are not self-made. We are community-made.

And together, we are unstoppable.

In purpose and possibility,

Tcho

@_tonycho_ | tony-cho.com | LinkedIn