Robin Byrd has had to be concerned about high overhead cost and maintaining clients since she has been self-employed, but she said she wouldn't want to work any other way.

"It's been 34 years, and I'm still elated over the fact that I went out to do my own business," said Ms. Byrd, owner of Robin's Bird Nest.

Ms. Byrd is one of 10,550 female business owners in the Chattanooga Metropolitan Statistical Area, according to the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. Many women are stating that becoming their own bosses has been the best decision they ever made.

Dr. Elenora Woods said the decision to open her own dental practice 17 years ago has allowed her to help people economically and physically.

"It's a joy and a pleasure," she said.

She started off with a dental practice and in 2002 also opened a dental school where she began to help train dental assistants. She has trained more than 100 assistants since she started, she said.

"We've transitioned a lot of women from being stay-home moms into the dental profession," she said.

Women represent a major economic force, said She'rri McClellan, director of the Small and Minority Owned Business Assistance Program. They own 26 percent or just below 118,000 of the state's small businesses and generated nearly $18 billion in revenue, according to the latest Census data available.

However, being your own boss doesn't come without hardship, Dr. Woods said.

"It comes with a lot of responsibility and some ups and downs, but if you continue to stay focused and keep your eyes on the goal, most of the time things work out for the best," she said.

By the numbers

* 10,550: local female-owned businesses

* 118,000: female-owned businesses in the state

* $18 billion: annual amount generated by female-owned businesses

U.S. Census