September 17, 2025
Taylor Hanson, Teen Pop Idol & Entrepreneur
From “MMMBop” to Purpose-Driven Business Builder, Taylor Hanson – Teen Pop Idol & Entrepreneur
Listen on:
You know the song MMMBop. You probably danced to it. But do you know the man behind it? Taylor Hanson went from topping charts in 27 countries to brewing up a business empire. In an industry that often trades authenticity for applause, Taylor and his two brothers chose ownership over dependency—when he was just nine years old! Celebrity guests often bring star power—but few bring the depth of reinvention and a journey that includes global fame, entrepreneurial grit, and a mission-driven future.
On this episode of the Reboot Chronicles Podcast, Taylor shares his remarkable musical career journey, where they have sold 16 million records, with eight Top-40 Albums, three Top-40 singles, and three Grammy nominations. This musical fame was only their beginning. Today, Taylor is the co-founder of Hanson Brothers Beer Company, a craft brewery rooted in community and creativity, and is actively developing a nonprofit initiative focused on civic engagement and social impact. In a business that often sidelines authentic voices, Taylor’s path underscores the power of speaking up, standing firm, and creating ventures that reflect your values. Listen in for some fun stories and a few surprises.
Owning Your Music And Your Future
One of the pivotal moments in Taylor’s journey came about when he and his brothers decided to break away from their label and bet on their audience to keep them afloat. Taylor candidly shares his label was “spending them into oblivion,” and it was “driving (us) into a hole that (we’re) never gonna come out of.” This was not a glamorous exit; “it was bootstrapping” and required a lot of work to build direct relationships with their fans and truly believe their fans would pull through for them.
Taylor’s personal and professional reboot offered more than creative freedom; it delivered a crash course in business fundamentals. By stepping away from their label, he discovered a powerful truth: when you treat your audience as strategic partners, you unlock a foundation for sustainable growth. Recognizing the influence and loyalty of their community allowed Taylor and his brothers to navigate a major shift proving the boldest transitions can lead to lasting success.
Lessons From Music Lead To Success In Beer
Taylor’s music career prepared him for his next chapter in the beer industry. Surprisingly, they have some similarities, as both industries thrive off of passionate communities and regional identities, as well as being heavily ruled by legacy constraints. Taylor and his brothers, with lessons in hand, took it upon themselves to invest, partner, learn alcohol laws for each state, and begin advocacy to change beer laws. Pulling on the familiar, they launched a festival that at onset included 13 breweries of which grew to 120 breweries after a seven-year run. Their motto and driving force behind this growth is “music + beer = awesome.” No truer words have been spoken, especially as they relate to growing a community and a platform for everyone to be a part of.
Food On The Move And The Next Reboot
A decade ago, Taylor took another leap into unfamiliar territory, launching Food On The Move to tackle food insecurity. This started in keeping with Taylor’s other endeavors, by being an active listener, willing to learn all that he can, with a passion for excellence and the courage to try something new. His curiosity and willingness to start at zero display the perfect mindset to make any type of pivot. Even when personal stakes are high, it is important to take the time to learn and make a difference, especially if it is an industry or project that you are truly passionate about. As Taylor puts it “Anything you do that is worthwhile is hard. It doesn’t come easy. And so if it’s not something you’re excited about, it’s gonna be really hard to do the hard stuff.”
