Case summary
The Tea Time Drinks Matter
A factual record of the agreement between Gray Gaulding / Standout Management Group and Tea Time Drinks, the work performed under it, and the voluntary partial refund that followed early termination.
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Claims vs. Record
What was said in the video, and what the record actually shows
Below are direct quotes from the public videos alongside a factual response drawn only from the signed agreement, captured social posts, text messages, and payment records shown on this page.
"The offer included 12,000 emails, targeted emails, and multiple posts."
What the record shows
"We were promised 12,000 emails, which we got for a burger company… We didn't get any emails for Tea Time, not one."
What the record shows
"We were supposed to get multiple social media posts. We got two within the first two weeks."
What the record shows
"We trusted these people, and we gave them over $7,500 in product and cash."
What the record shows
"Our only other option was to ask for our money, and we only got half."
What the record shows
"The next time I see this professional race car driver, he walks in and acts like he doesn't even know me… I can't say this for a fact, but what I hear is they're talking trash."
What the record shows
"I'm lucky I only got two posts for $7,500. So you wanted the world for pennies. And this is by far the itty bitty one."
What the record shows
The full signed agreement, work exhibits, and payment records are below — readers can verify each response directly.
Media
Screen recording
Screen recording retained as part of the documented record.
Statement of Facts
Gray Gaulding / Standout Management Group (SMG) / Tea Time Drinks
This statement is intended to provide a factual timeline regarding the business relationship between Gray Gaulding, Standout Management Group (SMG), and Tea Time Drinks.
April 20, 2026
Promotional Services Agreement
On April 20, 2026, Gray Gaulding and Standout Management Group entered into a signed one-year Promotional Services Agreement with Tea Time Drinks in the amount of $7,500.
The agreement included:
- Tea Time Drinks branding on the B-post of Gray Gaulding's NASCAR race car.
- Branding on Gray Gaulding's race program for upcoming NASCAR events.
- A one-year term covering promotional and sales activity.
- QR code tracking for digital marketing and product sales.
- Social media promotion and activation.
- One-year image and likeness rights for Gray Gaulding.
- Revenue sharing on tracked sales totaling 10% (5% to Standout Management Group and 5% to Gray Gaulding).
Following signing
Work Performed
Immediately after the agreement was signed, SMG and Gray Gaulding began fulfilling the contracted services.
These efforts included:
- Multiple social media posts and promotional content.
- Community appearances and promotional outings.
- Participation in events supporting Tea Time Drinks.
- Promotion of Tea Time Drinks through NASCAR-related marketing.
- Planning and launching a Tea Time Drinks giveaway prior to the NASCAR race in Mexico.
- Placement of the Tea Time Drinks logo on Gray Gaulding's race car for the Mexico event.
In addition, after meeting with Steve and Brandon, Dwayne Gaulding actively worked to help introduce Tea Time Drinks to potential retailers.
On May 29, 2026, while traveling to NASCAR events in Nashville, Michigan, and Pocono, Dwayne stopped by Tea Time Drinks after Steve advised that they had excess inventory available. Steve provided four cases of product (Root Beer and Strawberry flavors), and Dwayne distributed samples to smoke shops and other businesses while encouraging interested retailers to contact Brandon.
Warehouse visit with product cans
Gray Gaulding with Steve Rivero holding Tea Time Root Beer Float cans at the Tea Time facility.
Introduction at Southern Roots Kava Bar
Field photo documenting Gray being introduced at Southern Roots Kava Bar during product outreach.
Case pickup photo
Gray photographed carrying a case of Tea Time cans in race gear.
Tea Time can photographed at the track
Tea Time Limeade can photographed near the race car environment.
Tea Time promotional site shot
Screenshot showing the Tea Time promotional site imagery built around Gray Gaulding.
Giveaway page — Ultimate Racing Prize Pack
Tea Time giveaway page listing entry requirements (follow Tea Time and Gray Gaulding on Instagram, install Yeego.ai) and prize tiers — evidence of the Mexico-race giveaway launched under the agreement.
Giveaway page — Grand Prize (Gray with cases at Daytona)
Tea Time giveaway grand-prize section featuring Gray Gaulding in race gear holding two cases of Tea Time on pit road at Daytona.
Mexico race post — Tea Time logo on car
Gray Gaulding post showing Tea Time branding on the race car during the Mexico event.
Pre-Mexico race post with product
Gray Gaulding post referencing Mexico race week and the Tea Time partnership.
Tea Time Limeade giveaway story
Story capture showing a Tea Time Limeade can with giveaway copy.
Wheelies for Jordan event — story
Story showing Gray with Tea Time-branded tenting at the Wheelies for Jordan event.
Wheelies for Jordan event — post
Feed post mentioning Tea Time and the Wheelies for Jordan event.
Southern Roots meeting — story
Story showing Gray with Steve Rivero and the owner of Southern Roots Kava Bar.
Tea Time Instagram profile capture
Profile view showing public Tea Time posts visible at capture time.
Outreach coordination — text record
Schedule coordination with Steve
Messages showing meeting coordination and follow-up after a Naples meeting.
Warehouse pickup coordination
Messages arranging product pickup from the warehouse for retailer outreach.
Kava bar introduction outreach
Messages referencing the kava bar contact and outreach activity.
Meetup planning with Tea Time location pin
Messages setting a Monday meeting time and sharing the Tea Time map location.
June 29, 2026
Contract Termination Request
On June 29, 2026, Steve contacted Dwayne by text message stating that, after giving the matter considerable thought, he wished to end the agreement and requested that the entire $7,500 be returned. He also stated that he no longer wanted the remaining promotional services included in the contract.
Following that message, Dwayne Gaulding, Steve, and Barry Tisdale of Standout Management Group participated in a phone call to discuss the request.
During that conversation, Dwayne explained that returning the entire investment after approximately two months of work would mean SMG and Gray Gaulding had performed substantial services without compensation.
After discussing the matter, Steve agreed to accept a partial refund rather than a full refund.
Steve's refund request
Steve Rivero message stating he had given the matter considerable thought, wished to end the agreement, and requested that the entire $7,500 be returned.
Following June 29, 2026
Refund Issued
SMG immediately began processing the agreed refund.
The initial wire transfer encountered technical issues because the banking information provided could not be processed successfully. Brandon then provided an alternative payment method so the account could be verified.
SMG first sent a $10 test payment, which Steve confirmed receiving. After verification, SMG completed the remaining payment of $3,490, bringing the total refund to $3,500.
Steve confirmed receipt of the funds.
At that point, SMG believed the matter had been resolved in good faith.
Wire coordination with Barry
Redacted messages showing initial wire transfer attempts to the banking information provided.
Address coordination for wire
Redacted messages confirming address details used during the wire attempt.
Alternative payment coordination with Brandon
Redacted messages coordinating the phone number used for Zelle after wire issues.
Zelle QR verification
Redacted screenshot documenting Zelle setup used to send the refund.
$10 test payment confirmation
Steve confirms receipt of the $10 test transfer before the remaining $3,490 was sent, bringing the total refund to $3,500.
Closing Statement
Summary
Gray Gaulding and Standout Management Group fulfilled work under the agreement before Tea Time Drinks chose to terminate the contract early. SMG's position is that it was not contractually obligated to refund payment for services already performed. A partial refund of $3,500 was voluntarily issued as a good-faith business resolution.
This statement is provided so that anyone reviewing this matter can evaluate the timeline based on the signed agreement, communications, payment records, and supporting documentation.
Public story — $7,500 claim
Public story claiming a client was played for more than $7,500.
Public follow-up story
Follow-up story referencing a second public video and tagging the involved accounts.