Small businesses play a vital role in contributing to the economy an in the past decade women business owners have contributed significantly. The U.S. Small Business Administration gathers statistics about the importance of small businesses to the U.S. economy showing that small business employ almost half of all employees working in the private sector. Women owned business make up a significant portion of that.

The Center for Womens Business Research, the National Womens Business Council and Wal-Mart commissioned an extensive, groundbreaking study of women business owners across the United States to quantify the economic impact, obtain benchmarks and identify the needs of women entrepreneurs. Previous research into women owned business by the center have revealed that women small business owners do particularly well, disproportionately, in economic hard times. Their natural ability for risk adversity management, creative problem solving and team co-operation skills all contribute to their success.

Women also have a natural aptitude for business marketing, particular in industries that are mainly female consumer based. When in times of hardship marketing budgets irrationally get cut, women owners tend to be more creative and grass roots in their campaigns which also contributes to seeing them thrive during recessions.

All this growth in female entrepreneurship has seen a greater earned trusts from banks and governments who now cater some of their products for women small business owners. There are more grants, small business loans and financial assistance to women to help them start, grow and develop their businesses. Gone are the days when women could not get finance unless they were married and with the permission of their husband.

The emergence of blogs, websites for women, and business entrepreneurial sites catering for women in business have sprung up all over the internet. Now there is a great support network both online and offline for women entering into business or other entrepreneurial activities.

The keyword search string women small business has grown substantially in the past year alone since the recession hit. Indicating more women wanting to take more control of their destiny and financial future. This is a good place to start your online search for help, resources and ideas.

The bottom line is that if you are a women looking to start of develop a small business, you will find more resources and support networks and systems to help get your started. It is worth doing a thorough search on all the support that is available to you before even drawing up your business plan, as it may impact your strategic planning and particularly your budget. One word of warning though. Not all ideas are good ideas.

As women we tend to get carried away with our creativity and we ... love ... our ideas and are passionate about what we ultimately choose to through our energy into. This is where getting good sound market research completed before spending in real money and effort is the best business advice you will ever get. Market research has never been cheaper either with much of what you need online. So no there is no excuse to get out and make a go and become a small business owner and drive your business to success.