Andy Stockglausner was thumbing through Small Business Opportunities magazine when he saw the article about a contest to win a TSS Photography franchise plus training and equipment.
The prize worth $30,000 would be given to a veteran of the U.S. military.
Stockglausner was an amateur photographer and a Marine, stationed at Camp Pendleton from 1993 to 1997.
“I had the feeling I would win right from the minute I read that article,” Stockglausner said.
He was right.
In July, TSS President Joe Lindenmayer announced that Stockglausner was the winner of a TSS franchise territory (250,000 residents) in south Orange County.
In August, Stockglausner, 31, started his new life as a business owner.
TSS, which has 235 franchisees specializing in children’s photography, is not unique in wanting to honor a military veteran and attract franchisees renowned for discipline and hard work. More than 200 franchising companies participate in the International Franchise Association’s Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative – VetFran, for short – which offers discounts to military veterans who want to buy a franchise.
As of September, 612 veterans had taken advantage of the program.
“We wanted to do something for veterans who have put forth selfless sacrifice in serving this country,” said Lindenmayer, a Marine veteran.
“Veterans make fabulous franchise owners,” he added, citing their leadership qualities, commitment, dedication and ability to follow a system and to be part of a team.
Stockglausner agreed. In addition to discipline, the Marines taught him “to follow through. You can’t be late. You can’t call in sick when you feel like it.”
All good traits for a business owner.
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