We recently connected with Cautney Nelson and have shared our conversation below.

Cautney, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Science and Sip® formerly (The Drunken Laboratory) began as an after-school program introducing
disadvantaged students to the incredible world of science. After quitting her job
as a patient coordinator, our founder, Cautney Nelson, started a nonprofit called
Millennial Scnce in March of 2019. Millennial Scnce allowed Nelson to teach and
inspire underprivileged students through interactive, STEM-focused programming.
As she soon discovered, both children and adults loved the fun curricula she
curated, which made her wonder how could she continue to engage this older
crowd of science lovers in an innovative way.

Thus, in October of 2019, “Sicnce & Sip” was born: Nelson created an immersive
experience, in which adults could conduct outlandish science experiments, while
sipping delicious drinks with their friends. The project evolved into “The Drunken
Laboratory,” catching guests’ attention on Groupon and selling out in just two
weeks without a set location, any reviews, or even a social media presence. One
thing was clear: Guests craved a new, exciting way to engage with science, and The
Drunken Lab’s delicious cocktails, thrilling games, immersive environment,
interactive experiments, and live DJ did the trick.

The Drunken Laboratory soon averaged over 1,500 views daily on its freshly made
website and became one of Groupon’s most viewed experiences in all of NYC. After
many successful sessions, in March of 2020, The Drunken Laboratory took to
Boston as a temporary installation and sold out all four sessions in a matter of
days. Currently, The Drunken Laboratory is preparing to expand to Atlanta, GA for
their second brick-and-mortar location in Fall 2025.

Nelson says “The simple goal of The Drunken Laboratory is to bring people together
through science; and that will continue to be its main focus, as we continue to
grow and reach more people.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Cautney is a dynamic and experienced public speaker with a passion for STEM education. As the CEO of Science and Sip™ formerly known as ‘The Drunken Laboratory’ and founder of ‘MillennialScnce’, she has made significant contributions to STEM education and outreach while also creating a new sector of fun through entertainment with science!

Science and Sip® is NYC’s hottest interactive immersive experience. Here, guests become scientists for
an evening, conducting beginner-friendly experiments and competing in science-themed challenges. It’s a fun and social experience perfect for anyone looking for a unique night out with a scientific twist. It is under Arts & Entertainment industry.

What set us apart?

The Drunken Laboratory offers a novel and immersive entertainment concept that combines science,
cocktails, and social interaction. By providing a unique and interactive experience, we address the
demand for fresh and exciting nightlife options.

What is the problem we solve?

1. Disconnection from science and education: Many adults have lost touch with science after formal education.

2. The Drunken Laboratory reintroduces science in a fun and accessible way, fostering a renewed interest in STEM.
Need for social bonding activities: Modern life often limits opportunities for social interaction. The Drunken
Laboratory creates a platform for people to connect, collaborate, and have fun together.

An advocate for STEM education for children and adults. With the creation of the World’s First Science and Sip ® she has created a new fun way to engage with science in an immersive experience that’s that had over 10,000 guests and counting. Currently holds the role as CEO of The Drunken Laboratory in New York City also founded MillennialScnce to give disadvantaged students in the most vulnerable areas mentorship and access to a plethora of industries in STEM fields and continues to lead charitable initiative.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

An Entrepreneur I met. Tyler Perry inspires me because like myself he bootstrapped his company for most of its early existence and kept ownership over everything he produced. So many people can look up to him because he made the American Dream into his and came from nothing and consistently reinvested in his company and grew it to the billion dollar company it is today.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the biggest challenges for me was navigating the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a business. Things like managing payroll, dealing with insurance, and implementing business procedures were particularly daunting. I never went to school for business, and I don’t have anyone in my family with these skills, so it was all new territory for me. It wasn’t necessarily complicated, but it was unfamiliar and took time to learn. Once I was able to get over that hill, everything became much easier. Another significant challenge was transitioning from a nonprofit focused on students to a business catering to adults, and later, navigating the expansion to new cities, each with its own regulations and market dynamics. If I had one piece of advice for someone just starting out — is to
don’t be afraid to try something unconventional. The Drunken Laboratory succeeded because it offered a unique experience that people didn’t even know they wanted until we created it. I’ve learned the importance of staying true to your mission while being flexible in your approach. I’ve also learned that sometimes the most unconventional ideas can be the most successful if executed well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://scienceandsip.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrunkenlab/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDrunkenLab/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cautneyn
• Twitter: https://x.com/thedrunkenlab?s=21