Zylo Marshall: Can Disability and Entrepreneurship Create True Independence?

What happens when the system designed to protect you also keeps you trapped?

For millions of people living with disabilities, the road to independence is filled with invisible barriers—rigid government standards, corporate discrimination, and the fear of losing essential benefits. Yet, as Zylo Marshall shared on 21st Century Entrepreneurship, those challenges can become the foundation for something greater: a life of self-determined work, freedom, and meaning.

“Just because someone says no doesn’t mean you stop. You might get fifty no’s, but one yes can change everything.”

Marshall, who lives with epilepsy and mental health challenges, refused to accept that his disability defined his potential. Instead, he turned toward entrepreneurship—not for profit alone, but as a path to independence from systems that reward compliance over creativity.

Why Commission-Based Work Matters

For many living on SSI (Supplemental Security Income), earning money can trigger financial penalties or even loss of benefits. This “fear of success” loop discourages people from pursuing meaningful work.

Marshall found a legal, ethical path forward: commission-based entrepreneurship.Unlike hourly jobs that conflict with SSI limits, commission-based work allows flexible income distribution and creative freedom.

“If you’re selling one house every four months, that’s not making money. But it’s still building your foundation. You need someone to guide you, so you do it correctly—or don’t do it at all.”

By working in real estate—specifically, properties with code violations—he discovered a niche where he could earn, contribute, and still comply with the system’s requirements. His approach evolved into a structured plan to help others with disabilities navigate the same path.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Behind Disability Empowerment

Marshall’s story isn’t just about business; it’s about mindset. Entrepreneurship, for him, became a way to redefine success—not as profit accumulation, but as personal sovereignty.

Disabled or not, he says, routine and process are the foundations of progress:

“Once you get that routine, it becomes easier and easier. Disabled people say, ‘I can’t do this.’ But one rejection doesn’t mean you’ll get rejected your whole life.”

This mirrors what psychologists call learned optimism—the ability to reframe failure as feedback. In entrepreneurship, this skill is critical. Every setback becomes an iteration; every “no” becomes data for the next move.

The Hidden Entrepreneurial Market: Code Violation Properties

Marshall built his business around code violation properties—homes and buildings that cities flag for non-compliance. These properties, often ignored by mainstream realtors, represent untapped opportunity.

His process:

1. Obtain city lists of code violation properties.

2. Research ownership (many owners are deceased or unable to repair).

3. Connect investors seeking discounted properties.

4. Facilitate sales between owners and investors, earning commission.

   
   

This model doesn’t just create income—it revitalizes communities, reduces urban decay, and empowers people with disabilities to build relationships across sectors.

Marshall’s website, codeviolationproperties.com, became a bridge between investors and opportunities—proof that entrepreneurial vision can turn limitations into leverage.

Rethinking Disability: A Call for Systemic Change

Marshall’s insights highlight a critical gap in legislation: SSI rules often discourage risk-taking. A missed paycheck or delayed commission can cost someone both their income and housing.

“If I lose my job because of my disability, I lose my SSI and my job—and I’m homeless. We need laws that make it easier to transition to independence without punishment.”

He argues for a new kind of policy—one that supports gradual independence, allowing disabled entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses without fear of losing their safety net. It’s a vision that merges economic empowerment with human dignity.

Entrepreneurship as a Mental Health Practice

Entrepreneurship isn’t only financial—it’s emotional and cognitive resilience training.For Marshall, routine became therapy. Networking became social reintegration. Earning commission became proof of worth beyond labels.

This perspective aligns with the growing field of occupational therapy through self-employment, where structured work supports mental health and autonomy. As Marshall explains, the key isn’t avoiding difficulty, but learning to work with it.

“We all have a story. Mine is disability. Someone else’s might be comedy or speaking. Whatever it is, go for it.”

Key Takeaways: Building Independence Through Entrepreneurship

• Rejection is feedback, not failure. Persistence turns “no” into growth.

• Commission-based work offers flexibility for peo

• ple balancing benefits and ambition.

• Legislation must evolve to support disabled entrepreneurs transitioning to independence.

• Entrepreneurship heals. It provides purpose, structure, and community engagement.

• Everyone has a story worth sharing. Turning that story into value is the essence of entrepreneurship.

  
  

Call to Action: From System Dependence to Self-Reliance

Marshall’s journey is a reminder that innovation often begins at the margins.If you’re living with a disability—or know someone who is—ask yourself:

• What skills or stories could become the foundation of your independence?

• Who in your network can help guide you—legally, financially, or emotionally?

• What would your version of code violation properties look like?

  
  

Reflect, act, and share. As more people transform personal limitation into social innovation, entrepreneurship becomes not just a business model—but a human movement.