(FORTUNE Small Business) – You've Seen the numbers: Women-owned businesses have been the fasting-growing segment in the small business boom for a decade. But being a woman and an entrepreneur still is no easy feat--and that's clearly reflected in our special report, spearheaded by deputy managing editor Jolie Solomon, that begins on page 57. Don't get me wrong, we've got a lot of success stories to tell, starting with the anchor of our cover package, which profiles 25 women who are making their mark in small business (page 60). And our survey of women who've abandoned corporate America (page 78), conducted with the executive search firm Korn/Ferry International and Columbia University, shows why the rough-and-tumble life of an entrepreneur attracts so many women.

But we also take a hard look at some problems women owners face. In "Follow the Money" (page 72) we explore why women seem to have more trouble raising money than their male counterparts do. Then there's the tale of iVillage (page 82) and its founder, Candice Carpenter, who is get-ting pretty bad marks in the role-model department these days.

Good news and bad, we hope you enjoy the entire package. It was put together over the past few months by Solomon and frequent FSB contributor and former Lifetime Television hand Pamela Kruger. Freelancer Abby Schultz reported on dozens of women to come up with our 25 list. The special report not only offers smart advice to women business owners but also, like everything else in this magazine, will help any reader run a business better. Male or female, you're more likely than ever these days to work with, sell to, buy from, or hire a woman.

Got a take on the women's package or anything else in this issue? Write to us at FSB, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 42nd floor, New York, N.Y. 10020 or e-mail me at hank_gilman@timeinc.com.

HANK GILMAN Managing Director