It looks like 2008 is turning out to be The Year of Women in Business.

At the Wall Street Journal website, a new section has just been launched. "Journal Women," dedicated exclusively to women in business, will feature content created by two of the WSJ's better-known female columnists, and the blog "The Juggle" will examine how women balance family and career.

Not to be outdone, here at About.com we've already added a new section on the same topic with a new Women in Business guide, Lahle Wolfe, founder and CEO of her own company and an 18-year veteran of small business development and management.

Women in business has become such a hot topic because of the phenomenal growth that women entrepreneurs have seen in recent years. Whether they operate sole proprietorships or head up firms that employ hundreds, women - and most notably, women of color - are seeing successes that equal and even outstrip their male counterparts.

Take a look at these ten facts about women-owned businesses and see what many women are realizing: Now may be the best time to strike out on your own.