A Complete, Professionally Executed Small Business Launch — Free for Qualified Participants
Option C is not a course, a webinar, or a workbook. We pair qualified adults facing employment barriers with a mentor and a team that actually does the work alongside them — producing a real business plan, real branding, a real website, and real online presence so the participant ends up with an operating small business, not just an idea.
What the Option C Program Is
The Option C program is a structured entrepreneurship support program designed specifically for adults who face barriers that make traditional employment difficult or inaccessible — disability, prior felony conviction, long-term unemployment, or limited access to professional resources.
Accepted participants are paired with a mentor and walked through six structured stages of business building. Along the way, our team produces the professional deliverables a real small business needs to launch — a written business plan, a logo, a custom website, hosting, SEO, a Google Business Profile, Google Analytics, and branded social media pages. The participant is in the loop the whole way, learning how each piece works while we do the heavy lifting.
This is not a general business course. It's a hands-on implementation program where participants leave with an actual operating business — not a set of worksheets to figure out alone.
Who May Qualify for the Program
Option C is designed for adults who face real barriers to traditional employment and are serious about pursuing small business ownership as a path forward. We review every application individually based on readiness and commitment, not background alone.
Who May Qualify
Program Is Not For
You Work Through This With Real People — Not Alone
Option C is not a self-guided course. Every accepted participant is matched with an experienced mentor and supported by our team from the first conversation about a business idea all the way through launch and early growth. The work gets done with you, not just assigned to you.
Apply for the ProgramPowered by the Business Building Machine
Every Option C participant is guided through the Business Building Machine — a structured, 6-stage operating system developed by Option C founder Kyle K. Peterson to take a person from "I have an idea" (or no idea at all) to "I have a real, functioning small business with customers." Each stage has a clear job, defined inputs, and concrete deliverables that must be approved before moving on. One stage at a time. No skipping. No guessing.
Stage 0 — Research & Direction
The job of this stage: validate the business direction with real market data before anything is built. We replace guessing with research so participants don't waste months going the wrong direction.
- Complete an intake assessment to understand the participant's goals, skills, constraints, and any business idea they already have
- Research the market, competitors, pricing, gaps, and customer pain points
- Map real keyword and search demand to confirm there are people actually looking for this kind of business
- Deliver a written Business Direction Report that the participant reviews and approves before Stage 1 begins
Stage 1 — Strategic Foundation
The job of this stage: give the business its identity. By the end of Stage 1, the participant can explain what the business is and who it's for in two clear sentences — and we have the foundation we need to write the full business plan.
- Define the mission, niche, target customer, and the specific problem the business solves
- Write the positioning — why someone chooses this business over the alternatives
- Set a realistic 90-day goal so success is measurable, not just hopeful
- Produce the 20+ page custom business plan covering model, market, offer, operations, financials, and the 90-day launch path
Stage 2 — Offer & Path
The job of this stage: turn the strategy into something a customer can actually buy. We define the offer, the price, and the path from first contact to payment so the participant has a sellable business — not just a business idea.
- Define exactly what is being sold, what's included, and what the customer gets
- Set pricing direction and one clear primary call-to-action
- Map the customer journey from first contact to delivery
- Design the logo and core brand identity around the offer — the logo and brand assets remain the participant's property
Stage 3 — Visibility Engine
The job of this stage: make the business visible to the people most likely to buy from it. This is the largest output stage — most of the deliverables on the homepage are produced here.
- Build the custom website — pages written for the participant's actual audience, mobile-friendly, fast-loading
- Apply SEO on every page — keyword targeting, meta descriptions, headings, internal linking
- Provide free website hosting so the site stays live with no monthly bill
- Create and verify the Google Business Profile for Maps and local 3-pack visibility
- Install and configure Google Analytics so we can see what's working
- Build the Facebook and Instagram business pages, branded with the logo and ready to post
Stage 4 — Delivery System
The job of this stage: make the business deliver consistently so growth doesn't create chaos. A business that can't reliably fulfill what it sells doesn't have a scaling problem — it has a foundation problem.
- Document a simple, repeatable delivery process from sale to completion
- Set up the basic systems: payments, customer communication, follow-up, and record-keeping
- Create checklists so each customer gets the same quality experience
- Walk participants through handling their first real customers in real time, with mentor support
Stage 5 — Optimize & Grow
The job of this stage: use real data to find the biggest bottleneck in the business and fix that one thing first — then plan responsibly for what comes next. We don't add complexity until the foundation is ready for it.
- Review the numbers — visitors, leads, sales, and where the biggest drops are happening
- Identify the single biggest bottleneck and target it directly, not everything at once
- Provide ongoing 1-on-1 mentorship as the participant builds momentum
- Help plan responsibly for the next phase of growth — without scaling chaos
Nine Real Services. Built For You. Free.
Most entrepreneurship programs hand you a PDF and a link to a webinar. Option C is different. After your assessment, our team works with you to build a complete, professional small-business launch package — every item below built specifically for your business, by real people, with you in the loop.
1-on-1 Help From a Professional
From the moment you're accepted, you're paired with someone who actually knows how to launch and run a small business — every step of the way.
20+ Page Custom Business Plan
A real, written business plan covering your model, market, offer, operations, financials, and 90-day launch path. Use it for clarity, funders, or licensing.
Custom Logo Design
A professional, original logo designed for your website, social media, business cards, signage — anywhere you represent your brand.
Custom Website (Built For You)
Pages written for your business and audience. Mobile-friendly, fast-loading, and written so people understand exactly what you offer.
Free Website Hosting
We host your website so you don't pay a monthly bill, manage a server, or get hit with surprise renewal fees. Zero hidden costs.
SEO On Every Page
Proper titles, meta descriptions, headings, keyword targeting, and internal linking so customers can actually find you on Google.
Google Business Profile Setup
Created and verified so your business appears in Google Maps, the local search "3-pack," and on the right side of search results.
Google Analytics Setup
Installed and configured so you can see how many people visit, where they come from, and which pages turn into business inquiries.
Facebook & Instagram Pages
Branded with your logo and visuals, linked together, and prepared so you can start posting and reaching customers from day one.
Option C Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Program services are funded by donations, grants, and community partnerships. There is no fee to apply and no monthly charge at any point in the program.
How the 1-on-1 Mentorship Actually Works
Mentorship at Option C is not a single coaching session. It's a structured, ongoing relationship that runs alongside the entire Business Building Machine — so participants always have someone to bring their questions, their stuck points, and their progress to.
Matched to Your Business
You're paired with a mentor whose experience and skill set is relevant to the type of business you're building — service-based, online, local, or something else. Not random, not first-come-first-served.
Scheduled Check-Ins
Recurring 1-on-1 sessions to review progress, unstick decisions, and set the next milestone. Cadence is set with you based on the stage you're in and the pace your situation allows.
On-Demand Questions
Between sessions, you can bring questions — about a specific decision, a wording on your website, a price you're nervous about, a customer conversation that didn't go well — without waiting weeks for the next call.
Honest Feedback
If your plan has a hole, your mentor will tell you. We don't believe in motivational fluff — we believe in catching problems early so they don't break the business in month three.
Real Accountability
You and your mentor agree on what gets done between sessions. Then we hold you to it — gently but seriously. Most people don't lack ideas; they lack someone in their corner expecting them to follow through.
Built Around Your Reality
Many participants are managing a disability, a health condition, a family situation, or other constraints. We work with each person's actual capacity — not a rigid one-size-fits-all timeline.
Examples of the Kinds of Businesses Option C Supports — and the Kinds We Don't
We support a wide range of lawful, practical small businesses. Below are concrete examples of business types that are commonly a strong fit for the program, and the categories we will not support under any circumstances.
Examples We Support
Examples We Will Not Support
From Application to Launch — A Clear Path
Here's exactly what happens from the moment you submit your interest form to when you launch your business. There's no complicated paperwork, no fees, and no commitment to apply.
Submit the Interest Form
Complete the short interest form on our website. It takes about 5 minutes. You'll share basic information about your background, employment situation, and any business idea you have. There's no cost and no commitment to submit.
Team Review
Our team reviews every submission individually. We look at your background, situation, goals, and potential fit with the program. We aim to respond to all submissions within a few business days. Acceptance is based on readiness and commitment, not background alone.
Detailed Assessment
If your application looks like a potential fit, you'll complete a more detailed assessment form. This is the input that informs Stage 0 of the Business Building Machine — and drives the work that produces your 20+ page custom business plan.
Discovery Call & Acceptance
We schedule a short virtual discovery call to make sure the program is the right match for where you are right now. Accepted participants receive a welcome packet, are matched with a mentor, and complete a brief orientation on how the program works.
We Build With You
This is the core of the program. Your mentor and our team move you through the six stages of the Business Building Machine — research, strategic foundation, offer, visibility, delivery, and optimization — producing the real deliverables along the way: business plan, logo, website, SEO, profiles, analytics, and social pages.
You Launch With Accountability
Your business goes live with full support. You continue to get 1-on-1 help, scheduled check-ins, and accountability as you grow into real customers — with the same mentor who's been with you the whole way.
What This Program Is — and What It Isn't
We believe in being straightforward about what participants can expect from Option C. Entrepreneurship is hard, and we don't pretend otherwise.
This program provides structure, education, professional execution, mentorship, and accountability. It does not provide guaranteed income, business funding, or a shortcut to success. What it does provide is a real framework, real deliverables, and real support — for people willing to do the work.
- 1-on-1 mentorship throughout the program
- A 20+ page custom business plan
- A custom logo and brand identity
- A custom-built website with hosting
- SEO, Google Business Profile, and Google Analytics setup
- Facebook and Instagram business pages
- Honest feedback and structured accountability
- A clear, sequential path from idea to launch
- Startup loans or business funding
- Guaranteed income or business success
- Investment advice or financial planning
- Tax preparation or legal counsel
- Employment or job placement
- Government benefit enrollment support
- Support for MLM or pyramid structures
- Support for any illegal business activity
Program FAQ
No. Some participants come in with a fully formed idea, some have a general direction, and some have no idea at all. Stage 0 of the Business Building Machine is specifically designed to help find and validate the right direction for each participant's situation. Not having an idea yet is not a barrier to applying.
It depends on the participant — how quickly they complete the assessment, approve the outputs of each stage, and how complex the business is. The program is designed to be realistic for people with health limitations, complicated schedules, or other constraints. Active, engaged participants can typically move through the framework in a matter of weeks rather than months.
Yes. Qualified participants receive every service on this page — the business plan, website, hosting, logo, SEO, Google Business Profile, Google Analytics, social media setup, and 1-on-1 mentorship — at no cost. There is no fee to apply and no monthly charge at any point in the program. Option C Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by donations, grants, and community partners.
Lawful, legitimate small businesses across a wide range of industries — local service businesses, skilled trades, consulting, online businesses, e-commerce, and more. We evaluate each idea individually. We do not support illegal businesses, deceptive practices, MLM structures, or "passive income" schemes. See the examples section above for specifics.
No. A prior felony conviction is one of the specific circumstances Option C was built to address. We evaluate each applicant individually, and prior conviction history does not automatically disqualify anyone. What we look for is genuine readiness to build something legitimate and a commitment to participating actively in the program.
No. Option C does not provide loans, investment capital, or guaranteed income. We provide structured education, professional implementation services, and mentorship. Participants own and operate their own businesses — Option C does not take any ownership, royalty, or percentage of revenue.
We review every application and respond to everyone. If the program isn't the right fit right now, we'll let you know. In some cases, we may provide alternative resources or suggest a better time to reapply. We treat every applicant with respect — many people come to Option C in difficult situations, and that matters to us.
Ready to Apply?
If you meet the basic eligibility criteria and you're serious about building a business, submit the interest form and our team will review your application. There's no cost. There's no commitment.