If you've always thought about starting your own business, now might just be the right time.

Westchester County is offering a free online program to give aspiring entrepreneurs a head start.

The uncertainty of the pandemic prompted Mamaroneck resident Carol Ward to finally act on a dream of starting her own consulting business to help up-and-coming artists.

The director of an art school and gallery in Larchmont jumped at the opportunity to learn business skills through the free Launch 1000 online training program offered by Westchester county for its residents.

"To learn from all the amazing mentors and people that are being put in front of us that are experts in the field has been invaluable for me and learning on how to create a business plan for my consulting," says Ward.

Deborah Novick runs the Launch 1000 program through the Westchester County Office of Economic Development.

"We've admitted over 500 people to the program already, we're able to admit up to a thousand people into the program. So there is still plenty of space, and we'd love for more Westchester residents to take advantage of this great program," says Novick.

Elmsford resident Jaquetta Jenkins did.

The Launch 1000 program just the greenlight she was looking for to start a nonprofit to help female victims of domestic violence.

"My mother is a survivor of domestic violence. And since the pandemic, and having people shelter in place, I couldn't imagine having to shelter in place, me and my sister back then, and that really prompted me to want to do something," says Jenkins.

The Launch 1000 program is self-paced and takes about four to five months to complete.

It's expected to run through the end of this year.