Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills partner with air freshener company

A Buffalo air freshener startup has not only partnered with the Buffalo Bills for the upcoming season, but it has also built a meaningful relationship with one of the team’s popular players.

Azuna has stepped into the field of the Buffalo Bills’ many corporate sponsors. And the consumer products company has taken that partnership a step further by bringing on starting offensive tackle and big personality Dion Dawkins as a six-figure investor in the company.

Scott Dancy, Azuna’s CEO and founder, and Dawkins have connections from growing up in neighboring towns in New Jersey, and although Dancy is more than 20 years older, they know a lot of the same people. They began to get to know each other both personally and on the business side during Dawkins’ rookie season in 2017.

“That he wanted to be an equity partner and not a paid spokesperson demonstrates how much he believes in Azuna,” Dancy said. “His own commitment to health and wellness and his positive attitude align with our mission perfectly.”

Dancy gave Dawkins some tea tree-oil based odor eliminator samples made by Azuna and said the Bills lineman was sold on it from the start.

Founded in 2019, Azuna offers a full line of plant-based, chemical-free household products that help neutralize bacteria, mold, mildew and other microbes. The company went from sales of $12,000 per month at the start to bringing in more than $1 million each month.

“I’ve used Azuna all over my house, the locker room and in my cars. It’s a life changing product,” Dawkins said.

The charismatic Dawkins, who was nominated for the 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award stemming from his community involvement, will be playfully crowned by Azuna as “King Dionis, Protector of Fresh Air Everywhere” for events and on social media on and off the field this season.

“Dion’s energy, family commitment, charitable…