One of my best friends from high school, Stephanie, died from breast cancer two years ago. She had battled the disease for years and just when things began to positively come together in her life, it came back with a vengeance and killed her.

Five years ago, at 23 years old and barely a year out of the Marine Corps, I launched my first company in my hometown. It's a source of pride to me that today, that company -- which offers supplemental tactical training to the military and law enforcement agencies -- is a thriving, successful business.