CINCINNATI — As the preseason NFL football season kicks off, stadiums are once again filled with eager fans, presenting significant opportunities for local businesses that advertise at venues like Paycor Stadium. For the second consecutive year, Paycor has partnered with the Cincinnati Bengals to spotlight a minority-owned business through their “Earn Your Stripes” contest.
What You Need To Know
Paycor and the Cincinnati Bengals are collaborating for the second edition of the “Earn Your Stripes” contest.
The contest provides a local minority-owned business with a sponsorship package worth $100,000, which includes marketing assets, signage, and season tickets to Bengals games.
This year saw 43 applications, with six finalists competing in a pitch-style event.
Mixicles, a company specializing in botanically infused non-alcoholic ice cubes, emerged as the winner of this year’s contest.
Celebrate a new partnership! Jen Morales’ company, Mixicles, is now associated with the Cincinnati Bengals.
“We’re thrilled to be recognized as a proud partner of the Cincinnati Bengals,” Morales stated. “The exposure and awareness that this brings is critical for a new brand, as it allows more people to discover us.”
Mixicles is the second recipient of the Earn Your Stripes competition, designed to provide visibility for minority-owned businesses within Paycor Stadium.
“It’s beyond the level of exposure that we could have ever imagined,” Morales expressed.
Now in its second year, the contest is a collaborative effort between the Bengals and Paycor. The Bengals commented in a statement:
“We are proud to support the ‘Earn Your Stripes’ contest alongside Paycor. The values of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and pursuing one’s passion resonate with minority-owned small businesses in the Greater Cincinnati area. Mixicles showcased exceptional passion and creativity during their pitch. We are excited to support them as they expand and hope this initiative positively impacts their business.”
Morales, a first-generation Puerto Rican, aims to spread awareness about her product—botanically infused ice cubes designed for easy cocktail or mocktail preparation.
“Mixicles are alcohol-free, and you can use them with any beverage,” Morales explained.
The concept originated five years ago between Morales and her business partner.
“I hadn’t seen this concept for home use before. I thought they would be fantastic for parties and tailgating,” she recalled. “So we decided to go for it.”
She is now becoming a skilled mixologist.
“I wasn’t familiar with making good cocktails before,” Morales admitted. “I’ve improved because it’s now part of my job!”
Morales highlighted that raising brand awareness has been her biggest challenge, and winning this contest offers an ideal opportunity to elevate their business.
“We aim to expand from Cincinnati outward,” she said. “Being rooted here with my business and my family is significant for us. Aligning ourselves with organizations like Paycor and a team like the Bengals, who share our values, really resonates with me.”