As a former corporal in the United States Marine Corps, I have always been proud that my military training taught me valuable skills that I would rely on my entire life. To name just a few, I learned discipline, dedication and ambition - qualities that are building blocks for a successful career.

I also learned to always follow through and take pride in everything I do, no matter how insignificant the task may seem. Though my military training has always been integral to my life, I did not realize the impact that my hard work and dedication would have on my future career success and happiness.

I joined the U. S. Marines on my 17th birthday and was honorably discharged four years later as a corporal, in 1997. I spent my entire four years at Camp Pendleton in California as a Legal Services Specialist, starting in the Military Justice Support Branch of Legal Team Echo.

Our commanding officer, a lieutenant colonel, recruited me to work directly for him, managing the computers in the legal department. I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason, and this was a break that would lead to many great things later in my life.

When I was 21 years old, I decided to leave the military to pursue a civilian career, taking with me a lifetime of lessons learned in discipline and maturity. My first job outside of the military was at a Nissan dealership. My thinking was that when it comes to sales, if you can sell cars, you can sell anything.

Through the car sales position, I learned how to get people to overcome their reluctance and also sharpened my communication skills. However, I decided to go back to school and earn my certification as a network engineer. I was a consultant for Deloitte & Touche before becoming a sales engineer at Vignette, a software company.

At that point, unknown to me, a virus attacked my heart. Imagine my surprise when I went to the hospital in February of 2005 for stomach pain, and the doctors informed me that I was in congestive heart failure.

At first, I was told that I would need a heart transplant in order to survive. After much treatment and medication, my heart has since been restored to acceptable function. This obviously had an enormous effect on my outlook on life.

The diagnosis made me realize that money really cannot buy happiness, and that although the high salary was nothing to complain about, the stress wasn't worth it. As a father of a 2-year-old son, I learned that spending time with family is paramount. I realized that I needed to cherish every moment with him and my family. I began to look for the elusive dream job Ð something fun that would allow me to spend time with my family and to earn a comfortable living. I was most interested in opening up my own business to have the freedom and ability to work on my own terms.

In my search for the ultimate career opportunity, I read magazines, searched online, scoured the newspaper every day and reached out to my friends and family for ideas or advice. One day, while in a local bookstore and just as I was considering rubbing a magic lamp to seek advice from a higher power, I stumbled upon a magazine that focuses on small business opportunities.

As I was reading it, overwhelmed by all the choices, I came upon an article about TSS Photography, a national youth photography franchise that was holding a "Franchise Giveaway Contest" - for military veterans.

People always say that when you find the perfect person or the perfect job, you just know it. That's exactly how I felt when I read the article about the contest. I could feel it in my bones that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I could not pass up.

The criteria for the contest fit my background perfectly Ð a former military veteran with dedication to the community, a passion for sports and working with young children, and entrepreneurial ambition. Also, I am an avid photographer and had been researching how to turn this passion into a professional career. After I read the article, I looked at my girlfriend and told her that I was going to win the contest. When I began writing the essay, the words just came to me. I never thought that I would be able to pursue photography as a profession, but my background in taking pictures of youth sports and school activities showed me that I could turn the hobby into a career. A few months later, I received a call from Joe Lindenmayer, president of TSS and also a former Marine. He informed me that I was selected as a finalist in the Franchise Giveaway contest. Though I was just a finalist at that point, I knew in my heart that I would end up winning. Sure enough, a few weeks later, I received the call that forever changed my life.

In July 2006, I flew to Atlanta for the TSS Photography Convention. There I met the corporate staff and the entire franchise system. Though it was overwhelming to meet all of my new colleagues at one time, I immediately felt embraced by the TSS Photography franchise family. The warm welcome I received solidified my feeling that I indeed had found that perfect dream job.

Since TSS Photography actively seeks military veterans as franchisees and its president is a military veteran, I felt right at home. In fact, another franchisee near my territory is a former Marine with whom I have a lot in common.

In addition to winning the franchise, I received training and public relations support, as well as start-up equipment, to launch my TSS franchise in Orange County, California. I also purchased the rest of Orange County, so that I now service more than 1.7 million people in the entire territory. My goal is to be the No. 1 school and sports photographer in Orange County, with $1 million in annual sales within five years.

In terms of community involvement, I am eager to follow the exceptional lead of the TSS Photography franchise system by becoming actively involved with my local Make-A-Wish Foundation¨. Also, I plan to make sure that every child, regardless of affordability, gets to have their school or sports photo.

In addition, I will help the local Boys and Girls Club by providing TSS products (such as blankets, tote bags, mugs, etc.) with the children's artwork on them to sell at their fundraiser auctions.

Since opening my TSS Photography franchise last summer, I am realizing how much goes into running your own business. Time management, a skill I obtained while serving in the military, has come in handy since I started my business.

What my service in the Marine Corps has meant to me is hard to put into words. If I had to choose one, it would be pride. Sitting in my home office, I look at a wall of mementos and photos from my time in the Marine Corps; a wall that is dedicated completely to Marine Corps memorabilia.

I am very proud to have served my country in a well-respected branch of the armed services. I enjoy telling people that I am a Marine, and a Marine Corps flag flies in front of my house. I am also eternally grateful to the Marine Corps, grateful for the principles that I was taught and the discipline that was instilled in me during my service. I truly believe that I wouldn't be as successful today without my time in the Marine Corps.

Everything happens for a reason. I believe that I picked up that magazine in the local book store for a reason and read about the TSS Photography Franchise Giveaway because it was meant to be the next chapter in my life. Even now, months after I won, the thrill of being selected as the winner of a national contest is still something I relive and cherish every day.