On one hand, 2005 was a bad year for women in business. Unfortunately, the already-low number of female CEOs of Fortune 500 companies fell to seven from nine.

But on the up side, the Center for Women’s Business Research states that 10.6 million firms are now at least half-owned by a woman or women. This equates to nearly half of all such firms in the U.S., employing 19.1 million people and generating nearly $2.5 trillion in sales. Research also shows that women business owners are philanthropically active: 68% volunteer at least once a month; 31% contribute $5,000 or more annually to charities, and 15% give $10,000 or more.

“It's an exciting time and women are ready!” exclaims entrepreneur Peggy Kligman, inventor of a women's therapy game, The Goat Game. Kligman believes 2006 symbolizes the year women are rising up and marching toward their purpose. “Women are gaining more confidence from having survived in the workforce for several decades,” Kligman says. She believes that it is a natural progression for many to start heading up their own businesses and following through on their passions and goals. “There is a lot of satisfaction in running your own business,” says Kligman. “Instead of struggling to make their way up someone else’s corporate ladder, women are creating their own corporations. Oprah is a wonderful inspiration.”

According to the center for entrepreneurial leadership, women-owned businesses are growing at one-and-half times the rate of businesses started by men. “Women naturally have a creative and intuitive nature which inspire new visions,” says Kligman. “It’s fair game out there, anyone—-man or woman—-can succeed with determination and perseverance.”

Research also shows that female business owners are more likely than men to utilize the internet in marketing their businesses. Kligman explains: “The internet has opened up a whole new horizon in testing products with minimal costs. Women instinctively are communicators; instead of writing letters, they are collecting email contact lists and joining cyberspace networks in launching themselves ‘out there’. Also, women support each other and each woman who succeeds opens the path for other women to succeed. We’re great cheerleaders for each other!”

Kligman is optimistic about the trend of more women-owned businesses. “Society is excited about having women in leadership roles. The feminine energy will assist in healing our broken world by creating positive visions and seeking diplomacy between countries, religions, and environmental problems,” Kligman states. “Women, who are taking themselves more seriously than ever before, are making no apologies in claiming their place in leadership roles.”