Women own more than 10 million businesses, and last year they generated nearly $2 trillion in sales, that's according to the Center for Women's Business Research.

In tonight's On the Money, we hear from some women who are finding they can help their families weather the recession by starting their own businesses.

You've heard the saying the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but in Christina Catalano's household, the squeaky shoe saves the day.

Christina Catalano, realtor and entrepreneur, says "if you're child is running off or you're doing chores around the house, you can always hear where your child is."

And in this recession Christina says its saving her bottom line as well. She's a realtor who started selling these shoes to make money after the real estate market took a hit.

"Yeah ya know paying bills, I mean helping to pay the bills and school clothes, and it's summer there's always more expenses in the summertime," she says.

Lolly O'Dorisio, an entrepreneur, says "I wanted something new and fun and different to do to bring some money into our family."

She is a former flight attendant who is seeing her living room boutique take off. She says opening her home to trunk shows is proving to be recession-proof. "Women always shop and I can show them a way to make it affordable and fun and exciting."

Mira Masukawa, says "I have two patented products, mom invented."

This mom decided to pull in another income for her family with her inventions, "my husband works full time, but just knowing that there's a second source is comforting."

She says by starting her own business, they don't have to stop living. "We're able to set goals for the future, save for retirement, plan family vacations, so things we wouldn't normally be able to plan for right now in this time of recession."

The director of the Western Dairyland Womens Business Center says they are taking countless questions from women about starting their own business. Karmen Briggs says she's seen many more women looking into starting in-home daycare to stay home with their kids and to make money. Western Dairyland offers several free or low-cost resources for entrepreneurs.

If you'd like to learn more about the center, click here.