A process for preparing an aqueous dispersion of a silicone resin is disclosed by reacting a mixture containing an alkylalkoxysilane and a cationic alkoxysilane to form a self dispersing silicone resin and subsequently combining the silicone resin with water to form the dispersion. The resulting dispersions are useful for forming coatings on various substrates that are essentially free of co-surfactants or volatile organic solvents.