Gulf Coast biz moms score big

Four of the top 65 women-owned, mom-centric businesses in the country, in a contest sponsored by StartupNation, are from the Gulf Coast.

StartupNation is an Internet portal designed to help entrepreneurs start and grow a business. The 2012 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business competition ranked the top 200 mom-run businesses across the country. The contest was based on both online voting and decisions made by StartupNation judges.

The Gulf Coast-based businesses that made the top 100 are:
• TeetheMe, Tampa; ranked 19th: Akemi Williams launched the company in January. It's a monthly subscription service for baby and toddler products.
• SpingGym LLC, St. Petersburg, ranked 31st: Company, founded in 2009 by fitness entrepreneur Forbes Riley, markets and sells resistance training exercise products.
• Luv-Me-Knot Boutique, Bradenton, ranked 58th: An upscale children's boutique with handmade custom children's clothing and accessories. Founded in 2008 by Ariane MacNevin.
• Kim Garst-Social Media Branding, Tampa, ranked 65th: A social media consulting business founded in 2010 by Kim Garst. Forbes magazine ranked Garst a Top 50 Social Media Influencer earlier this year.