We were lucky to catch up with Nathan Wilson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nathan, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

When Mike and I first started talking about Corporate Menace Coffee Co, it wasn’t about building a business for the sake of it. It came out of real nights we lived through. We were young professionals just starting our careers, juggling 9–5 jobs, grad school classes, and late-night projects that stretched into the early morning hours. Coffee wasn’t just a pick-me-up—it was survival.

But what we noticed was that so many coffee brands out there didn’t really feel like they spoke to us. They either leaned into this overly polished corporate image that felt disconnected, or they went too far in the other direction with hipster minimalism that didn’t reflect the grind of actually starting your career and trying to carve out a place for yourself. There wasn’t a brand that captured the reality of staying up until 2 am finishing a paper, then showing up at work by 8 am ready to prove yourself.

That’s when the idea clicked. We wanted a coffee brand that represented who we were in that moment—ambitious, restless, a little rebellious, and fueled by more than just caffeine. Corporate Menace was born from that headspace: the feeling of wanting to challenge the norm, keep pushing forward, and find humor in the madness of balancing it all.

What excited us most was the chance to create something we actually related to, and that other people in the same stage of life could see themselves in too. We weren’t just solving the “problem” of needing energy. We were building a brand that gave an identity to the late nights, the ambition, and the hustle that so many young professionals know all too well.

Nathan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We got into this industry because, at the heart of it, we care about fueling the future. Both Mike and I spent our early careers in corporate and nonprofit sales roles, and we quickly realized how much coffee wasn’t just part of our day—it was the thing that kept us moving through long hours, late nights, and big wins. But most of the coffee out there felt stale, generic, or like it didn’t really add anything beyond caffeine. We wanted to change that.

Corporate Menace Coffee Co. was built to deliver more than just coffee. We serve specialty-grade beans—meaning the highest quality coffee available—sourced ethically and sustainably. Every order is roast-to-order, which means your coffee isn’t sitting on a shelf for weeks before you drink it. Instead, when you place an order, that’s when we roast your beans. This ensures the freshest flavor possible and preserves the natural antioxidants that make each cup not only taste better but feel better.

What sets us apart are our natural, unique flavor profiles and the personality behind the brand. Our coffees come with a playful corporate twist—names and blends that poke fun at the late nights, high-pressure meetings, and small victories that every ambitious professional knows too well. We want every sip to feel both relatable and rewarding, whether you’re gearing up for a big presentation or celebrating a hard-earned success.

Beyond the coffee, we’re building a community. Corporate Menace isn’t about fitting into the polished mold of traditional corporate life—it’s about embracing ambition, breaking away from the status quo, and having a little fun along the way. We’re most proud of creating a space for young professionals to connect, recharge, and become the best versions of themselves, one fresh cup at a time.

The way we picture it is simple: you close a deal, crush a project, or survive that marathon workday—you deserve a coffee that celebrates with you. That’s what Corporate Menace Coffee Co. is all about.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Mike and I like to joke that our friendship was brewed under the perfect mix of chaos, caffeine, and questionable college decisions. We first crossed paths at FGCU when he was rushing our fraternity and I was already a brother. I like to think I was the “responsible one,” but the truth is we bonded over late nights, bad pizza, and figuring out how to survive 8 a.m. classes after doing anything but sleeping.

What really cemented our friendship, though, was when we both got involved in this wild student media conglomerate on campus. One week we were hosting YouTube series, the next we were planning music festivals—neither of us fully qualified to do any of it, but somehow pulling it off with duct tape, ambition, and way too much coffee. Those projects taught us how to hustle, how to work together, and how to keep laughing even when everything was on fire around us.

From that point on, we’ve been inseparable. It’s one of those friendships where you look back and realize you’ve been through just about every kind of grind together—academic, professional, and now entrepreneurial. Starting Corporate Menace Coffee Co. felt like the most natural next step, because the foundation of this company is the same thing our friendship was built on: long nights, bold ideas, and the kind of fuel you need to keep going.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what really helped us build our reputation is that we didn’t try to be everything to everyone—we leaned into exactly who we are and the people we’re trying to serve. From the start, we’ve been focused on delivering the highest quality specialty-grade, roast-to-order coffee, but we also wrapped it in a brand that young professionals can actually relate to. That authenticity resonated.

We didn’t just sell coffee—we built a community and a voice that speaks to the grind of corporate life with humor and honesty. People can tell when a brand is being real, and that transparency helped us stand out. Our reputation grew because we consistently delivered on two things: the freshest, best-tasting coffee you can get, and a brand that feels like it’s in your corner when you’re chasing big goals or pushing through late nights.

At the end of the day, it’s the combination of quality and personality that built our reputation. We made great coffee non-negotiable, but we also made it fun, approachable, and unapologetically us. That’s what people remember and come back for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.corporatemenace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_corporatemenace_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Corporate-Menace-Coffee-Co-61574440404409/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/corporate-menace-coffee-co_coffee-corporate-coffeeforclosers-activity-7315765490788761601-XZt7/
• Other: Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@corporate_menace?_t=ZT-8uH4f5NhZrK&_r=1