Cleveland gift company named a top business
CMD Gifts has been recognized as one of the top 10 mom-owned businesses in StartupNation's 2009 Leading Moms in Business Competition out of several thousand entrepreneurs.

Tammy Gentry, a mother of three and CEO of CMD Gifts, introduced her first product, Penny Stones, to the gift market at the Atlanta International & Home Furnishings Market in January. Penny Stones ("A penny for your thoughts ... ") are conversation-starters, with questions like "superpower you'd like to have" and "best trait of person on your left," that offer a way for people to start conversations and strengthen relationships.

Made of glass, Penny Stones are available in five editions-Original, Faith-Based, Slumber Party, Love & Marriage and New Parents. Each set, which is made in Cleveland by people with disabilities, has 21 stones, one penny and instructions for two games. Suggested retail price per set is $14.99.

The Faith-Based stones were created at the request of the owner of five Catholic gift stores, Gentry said. Within the first four months of 2009, CMD Gifts went from selling Penny Stones in about 100 stores to more than 200 stores, and the company has tripled its sales over 2008.

"Moms across America were honored in this year's ranking, showing that they're capable of starting and running successful businesses while managing to balance family, career, home and self," said Rich Sloan, co-founder of StartupNation. "Well over 600,000 votes were cast in support of several thousand contestants."

StartupNation launched the first annual Leading Moms in Business Competition this year with the support of VerticalResponse to recognize the achievements of mom entrepreneurs across the country. Winners were selected and ranked according to public votes accumulated from January through March.

For more information about CMD Gifts and Penny Stones, visit www.pennystones.com.

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