My experiences as a seasoned business consultant for women business owners over the past 25 years has provided me with the delightful title of Business Therapist. I help them solve their problems and resolve their issues like any good therapist.

Looking back, When I started my first business over 30 years ago only 4% of all small businesses were owned by women as compared to over 50% today and closer to 60% in larger cities like New York, Chicago and LA. And while I watched people feeling sorry for me that I had to work (I thought they were nuts) and my mom called me to say she hoped I could take a nap (I didn't know I was tired) I also saw the mushrooming of women in business.

I watched them slowly, a little at a time step into the arena and take their chances. In the beginning there were no women's business organizations, few support systems and even fewer role models or mentors for women who wanted to succeed in business.

I began to meet with women who wanted to start businesses, some, from their home, small businesses to bring in a few extra dollars, to do something they loved and made them feel valued. Often missing was clarity on how to grow from a small idea to being a big success, family support, money and a society where the businesswoman was akin to being the new kid on the block.

I also began speaking out at luncheons and meetings where women came together. My message to them was about my strong belief that woman had an inherent right, in fact a need, for financial independence and economic security. My office was opened to them and they kept coming, asking for advice, asking for help. They showed up on my doorstep and sometimes they even offered to work for me for free, to learn, so they might have the courage to go out on their own.

It is certainly difficult for any one to succeed in business. It has been especially hard for women. Yet we have become a strong and critical economic force bringing millions of dollars into the U.S. economy.

Also over the past fifteen years I have seen dozens of women's organizations offer women programs, materials, workshops, seminars and one-on-one consultations to help them meet the challenges. Many of these organizations have reinvented their early concept of teaching and training to offering leadership opportunities and access to some capital (if you qualify).

Like other women from the latter part of the 20th century I have been a part of the volunteer "army" training women for business "combat", so they would be prepared, be savvy and know how to defend themselves when necessary. We all believed it was important for all women and for our place in society. Every time a woman became successful it was one more woman and then one more woman and we were winning our right to be seen and heard, successful and powerful.

Women are in their own businesses for many reasons. They want to use their brains and talents and their education. They want an opportunity to expand to their fullest potential without the constraints of Corporate America. Today two income households have become a necessity for most couples and many single moms are burdened with at least two full time jobs, their work and their children. Childcare continues to be inadequate for many. Owning a business has afforded many women the opportunity to earn a living and still have a flexible schedule to meet the needs of family life.

Yet, looking forward, with all of these changes, the organizations, the access to money, literally hundreds of thousands of women entrepreneurs, more women in congress, women still need to access more of the power of leadership roles in every aspect of society and business. We need it to protect ourselves and our futures.

Today many women across America are powerhouses in their chosen field. For ourselves, for daughters and grand daughters…you can be a leader too!!!

Marcia Glenda Rosen