About the Business

Readiness Program

A Wisconsin 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

OUR MISSION

The Business Readiness Program exists to help people turn viable business ideas into real, sustainable income.

We serve early-stage entrepreneurs who are ready to do the work but need structure, clarity, and support to move from idea to execution.

Our programs are designed to reduce barriers, increase follow-through, and create long-term economic opportunity through practical, community-backed entrepreneurship.

What We Are

The Business Readiness Program (BRP) is a community-anchored startup incubator designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs as they move from idea to execution.

We operate through structured, time-bound programs that emphasize clarity, accountability, and real business activity. BRP is program-based, not service-based, and exists to reduce barriers for founders who are ready to build but need structure and support to do so effectively.

Leadership Perspective

I created the Business Readiness Program after working alongside hundreds of local business owners and early-stage founders who had strong ideas but no clear path forward.

My role is not to be the center of the program, but to steward it responsibly, build the systems that support it, and ensure founders receive clear guidance and realistic expectations.

BRP exists to help people move forward, not to promise shortcuts or certainty.

- Jocelyn Kopac

Our Amazing Board

Jocelyn Kopac (she/her)

President & Treasurer

Kane Carmody (he/him)

Secretary - Chair Awards Committee

Yasmine Alamad (she/her)

Chair Grant Writing Committee

Phil Fonfara

(he/him)

Member At Large

Governance & Leadership

The Business Readiness Program is led by Jocelyn Kopac, President, and supported by an active Board of Directors, committee chairs and members at large who provide oversight, accountability, and strategic guidance.

The Board’s role includes:

Ensuring mission alignment
Providing governance and fiscal oversight
Supporting long-term sustainability
Strengthening community and partner relationships

Committees support key areas of programming, partnerships, and operations to ensure BRP remains responsive, ethical, and impact-focused.

BRP is intentionally structured to be community-anchored rather than personality-driven.

Current Board Members

Jocelyn Kopac

Kane Carmody

Yasmine Alamad

Devin O'neill

Danielle Harris

How Programming Is Structured

BRP delivers support through incubator cohorts, workshops, and ongoing founder support designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are.

Our programs are:

Time-bound and milestone-driven
Focused on execution, not theory
Built around real-world constraints founders face
Designed to support sustainable revenue, not just ideas

Participants are expected to show up, participate, and take action. In return, they receive structured guidance, access to tools, and community accountability.

BRP does not offer one-off consulting or transactional services. Everything we do is delivered through intentional programming with clear expectations and outcomes.

Our programming is made possible through grants, sponsorships, and community support.