Women-owned company to sponsor ‘Gary With Da Tea’ this month
America’s favorite low-calorie, low-sugar cocktail mix just got a little sweeter thanks to one Atlanta-based talk show that knows a thing or two about letting loose and having fun.
Starting today, June 9, Skimpy Mixers will be an official sponsor of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show’s fast-paced entertainment segment, “Gary With Da Tea.” Hosted by celebrity gossip guru Gary Hayes, “Da Tea” is one of the most popular segments on the show, which airs in 60 markets nationwide. Smiley’s talented lineup delivers a unique blend of hip-hop and R&B music, daily doses of comedy, and coverage of the hottest news, entertainment and sports topics on one of the fastest-growing morning shows in the country.
Hayes, who also appears with Smiley on Fox TV’s nightly entertainment program “Dish Nation,” said he is pumped to join forces with Skimpy Mixers, a line of delicious drink mixes for those looking to skimp on the calories, not on the taste.
“When I first heard about Skimpy Mixers, I was skeptical that they could be both low-cal and delicious. Then I tasted them and became a believer,” said Hayes. “I was also blown away by this group of women for their ingenuity and vision. They’re on their way to big-time success, and I’m glad to do my part to help spread the word.”
Hayes began his career at KJMZ 100.3 Jamz in Dallas more than two decades ago. Known for his celebrity gossip and fashion segment called “Colour of the Day,” Hayes has become one of the most popular voices on the airwaves, from Atlanta to Chicago.
“People today are much more aware of what they consume. They pay more attention to what’s on the label and want to feel good about what they buy,” Hayes said. “I know a lot of folks who will love knowing they can enjoy their favorite drinks without packing on the pounds this summer.”
The story of Skimpy Mixers began when two friends – Megan Toole and Krista LaMothe – went to a bachelorette pool party in the summer of 2010. The ladies were served an orange cream-flavored frozen cocktail that they both agreed was amazing. It didn’t take long before they realized that the cocktail they had enjoyed so much was absolutely loaded with sugar, clocking in at nearly 800 calories!
That’s when Toole and LaMothe had an epiphany: It was time to create a low-calorie version of the mixer – one that tasted just as good as the real deal, but with a fraction of the sugar and calories.
They went into their kitchens and began subbing down the ingredients to try to mimic the original version, experimenting with several different sweeteners and flavorings. They then enlisted Summer Lamons to help complete the recipe that would “skimp on the calories, not on the taste.” Before long, the trio found themselves shipping cases of their product to retail stores across the nation, including 1,300 Walmart locations.
In February, the entrepreneurs teamed up with Torrei Hart, star of VH1’s “Atlanta Exes” and former wife of superstar comedian Kevin Hart, to introduce their newest low-cal flavor, Cherry Limeade. At just 15-40 calories per serving, the entire Skimpy Mixers line – which also includes Orange, Pineapple, Berry Lemonade, Skimpy Margarita and Sweet n’ Sour – can be mixed with one’s favorite alcohol, or enjoyed on its own or with fresh fruit to make a flavorful non-alcoholic drink.
“Our mission has been a labor of love and the journey to owning a successful retail business has been one wild ride,” said Toole. “So when we have opportunities to connect with people like Torrei and Gary, it reminds us of the many others who have supported our vision from the beginning and cheered us on to make our dream a reality. We’re absolutely thrilled to partner with Gary and ‘Da Tea.’”
Skimpy Mixers can be found in more than 1,300 Walmart stores in 48 states, in 120 H-E-B grocery stores throughout South Texas, and in hundreds of grocery and liquor stores, restaurants and bars nationwide. To find your nearest location, visit skimpymixers.com and enter your zip code.