Maybe this will help further clarify.
Business expenses are itemized as such on SCH C. You don't have much of a choice in that matter, as the IRS requires you to claim all of your business expenses.
Other non-business costs such as medical, property taxes, mortgage interest, etc. are a SCH A itimized deductions.
It doesn't matter if you take the standard deduction or if higher, your SCH A itemized deductions. Your business expenses are still fully deductible as such, on the SCH C.
Also, don't confuse business expenses with business start-up expenses. While both are claimed on the SCH C, they're reported differently.
