It must be a sign of the times: More working women than ever are starting their own businesses. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Business Owners shows there were 9.9 million women-owned businesses in 2012, a 27.5 percent increase from 2007.

Another finding: Minority women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs. The data showed Hispanic women-owned businesses grew by 87 percent in the same time period, while the number of companies owned by black women was up by 68 percent.

So if you're thinking about taking the leap and going to work for yourself, why not now?

Women today have more resources available than ever — content, networks, mentors and fellow entrepreneurs — to help them get started, says Rachel Braun Scherl, a New York City-based entrepreneur, speaker, growth strategist and owner of consulting firm SPARK Solutions for Growth. Scherl, who first started a business in 1996, said it began somewhat inadvertently.

"I was working very hard for someone else, and said wow, if I'm going to work this hard, I should do it for myself," she said.

Owning a business gives owners more power over their day-to-day work, but be prepared to work harder than ever before, Scherl said.

"It's a little bit misleading to communicate to women that entrepreneurship is somehow an easier life," she said. "It's just that you have the potential to work differently. It's a marathon and not a sprint. No matter how much planning you do, the only thing you can expect is the unexpected."

Despite the growing number of women-owned businesses, their revenue numbers aren't keeping the same pace.

Business run by women make up 36.2 percent of firms, yet they earned only 11.3 percent of the more than $14 trillion in total sales revenues from 2012. However, businesses owned by men make up 54.7 percent of firms and took in 79 percent of revenue.

While there could be many reasons for the discrepancy, one is that women tend to own service or consumer products focused businesses, which may not bring in as much revenue, Scherl said.

So what's the basis of successful entrepreneurship? Find a better solution to a current problem, Scherl says.

"I think ultimately you have to figure out a way to sell your idea," she said.

Maia Tucker, of Washington, D.C., hopes to pair a solution with a problem when she launches a luxury dress rental company this fall. The idea was born out of her own dilemma of whether to overspend on a formal dress to wear to a gala or charity event, only to put it in her closet and never wear it again.

"The most cost effective thing to do is it rent a dress," she said.

Tucker, who still stays busy at her day job, sometimes finds herself working on her business late into the night, but has found the process empowering and looks forward to full-time entrepreneurship.

"It's definitely possible to start your business and have other things going on, but prioritize and use your time very wisely," she said.

Aisha Barnes, who owns fashion styling firm Closet Fashionistas based in Washington, D.C., acknowledged the tough road faced by women in business.

"There are always hurdles and things you have to jump to prove that you can do the job just as well as a man or even better," she said.

Barnes also said it's essential to have thick skin because you're likely to hear "no" often.

"Be ready for rejection," she said, "but also prepare yourself for the victory you will get from your hard work."