Their platform is a favorite, trusted resource for local moms, and now Erin Brown and Jen Guthrie are taking it statewide.
Brown and Guthrie are the powerhouse team behind The Gulf Coast Mom, which they rebranded and brought into a new era after assuming ownership in 2023. The platform is an online space where local moms can connect with their community and each other — not to mention find everything from fun family activities and kid-approved recipes to helpful guides, reviews and date-night ideas.
The duo has now announced the launch of The Mississippi Mom — which brings the benefits of their local platform to every part of Mississippi. Building on the trust and vibrant following they’ve created on the Coast, Brown and Guthrie are expanding in response to a flood of requests from moms across the state, who are eager to have this resource available where they live.
For a year and a half, the pair say moms throughout Mississippi have asked, “When is this coming to my area?” That overwhelming demand sparked the vision behind The Mississippi Mom — a comprehensive platform driven by moms who live, parent and thrive in communities across Mississippi.
“Everything we do is powered by local moms,” Brown says. “We believe in the unique perspective and strength that moms bring to their communities. The Mississippi Mom is about sharing those stories and making sure every mom across the state feels seen, heard and supported.”
AMPLIFYING MOMS’ VOICES
With the launch of The Mississippi Mom, Brown and Guthrie aim to offer Mississippi parents the largest, most robust digital resource available in the state. From small-business spotlights to hyper-local guides to real motherhood stories, the platform provides curated content tailored to Mississippi families.
They emphasize that a core part of their mission has always been — and remains — giving moms a place to speak up. Whether through perspective pieces or parenting tips, The Mississippi Mom exists to amplify the voices of women raising families in Mississippi.
The platform also gives moms the chance to earn some extra income by sharing their knowledge and unique insights as paid contributors. From Jackson to Tupelo, the Delta to the Coast, Brown and Guthrie say the goal is to build a thriving network of local moms who can speak directly to the families in their communities with authenticity and heart.
GUIDES GALORE
One key feature of The Gulf Coast Mom is its plethora of guides, covering everything from summer camps and sports signups to local photographers and caterers. Like its sister site, The Mississippi Mom also features robust regional guides for Oxford, Tupelo, Meridian, Starkville, Hattiesburg and beyond. From best birthday-party venues to kid-friendly restaurants, each guide comes from local contributors who know their towns inside and out.
“We’ve seen the power of moms sharing what they love and need,” Guthrie says. “By expanding to a statewide platform, we’re giving moms from every region in Mississippi a voice — and a platform to lift others up.”
From the Delta to the Pine Belt, the Coast to the capital, Brown and Guthrie say The Mississippi Mom is committed to highlighting hometown voices, supporting small businesses and building strong communities through the state’s most influential audience: moms.
To explore the platform and see a full list of regional guides, visit www.themississippimom.com. For real-mom content geared toward families here on the Coast, visit www.thegulfcoastmom.com.
ABOUT ERIN BROWN
Erin Brown, a mom of two girls, hails from Atlanta and met her husband, Richie Brown, at Mississippi State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in sports marketing. After graduating, she worked for the Yah Agency before joining MSU’s Office of Public Affairs.
When her husband entered the NFL draft in 2016, Brown started her own freelance marketing and design business with the goal of one day staying home with her children. After a serious injury ended Richie’s NFL career, the family returned to his hometown of Long Beach.
Despite juggling freelance clients, her husband’s thriving business and mommy duties, Brown took the opportunity to take over The Gulf Coast Mom alongside Guthrie. On top of owning The Gulf Coast Mom and FRAME – Branding Agency, Brown and her husband also own Beacon Contracting, which they launched back in 2022.
Offering advice to other moms, she says, “Never underestimate the impact of grace in your parenting. Gentle parenting’ gets a bad rap sometimes, but you will never regret to the extent you mirror Christ in your parenting. That is a legacy worth passing on.”
ABOUT JEN GUTHRIE
A Long Beach native, Jen Guthrie is a busy mom of four and wife to husband, Jamie Guthrie, whom she married in 2013.
“I used to joke with my parents that my biggest dream was having a bunch of kids, rescuing a bunch of dogs, and having my own flock of chickens,” she jokes. I am proud to say I am truly living my dream over here.”
She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Mississippi State University, and upon returning to the Coast, she worked as a music teacher for West Elementary School before leaving to pursue her master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Intending to pursue an administrator position, Guthrie changed her plans when she learned she was pregnant with her first baby. She started working her “side hustle” in the marketing industry full time from home.
When Erin approached her about taking over The Gulf Coast Mom, Guthrie deemed the project the perfect blend of social media, marketing, connection, community and motherhood. They also launched FRAME – Branding Agency last summer.
Additionally, Guthrie and her husband opened Renew Counseling and Therapy Services, where he provides professional counseling and therapy to individuals, couples and families.