"But what truly keeps me going is my faith. Losing everything changed my perspective."
Andrew Taylor is a self-taught inventor and entrepreneur with seven patents and a track record of building and exiting multiple multi-million-dollar businesses. As the founder of the Wild West Crypto Show, EdisonCoin.io, and other ventures, he has established himself as a leader in blockchain technology, media, and business innovation.
Spanning industries from franchising to cryptocurrency, Taylor’s career reflects resilience, adaptability, and an endless drive for discovery. In this interview, he shares insights into his early life, experiences, and the lessons that have shaped his success.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET FEATURED?
Grow Your Brand and Authority in Our Global Magazine
Can you share some insight into your early years? Where did you grow up, and how would you describe your childhood?
Andrew Taylor: I grew up on a small farm just south of San Antonio, Texas, as the middle child in a family of seven boys. Although we didn’t realize it at the time, we had very little. We were a family of nine living in a 900-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bathroom house built in the 1850s. Accessing our home required crossing three easements. But my father had a knack for stretching a dollar, so we never felt like we were lacking.
Were your parents from Texas as well?
Andrew Taylor: My father was born in Slaton, Texas, but my mother came from a very different background. She was a debutante and the youngest daughter of an optometrist, musician, and professional baseball player from North Adams, Massachusetts. Raised in a 15-room home with a gardener, nanny, and cook, her upbringing was quite distinct from my father’s.
They met in Rhode Island when my father was discharged from the Air Force after serving in Korea. My mother was a teacher and worked as a waitress on the military base, where she met my father—a tall, Southern cowboy. Two weeks later, they were married, and she moved to Texas. It was quite the culture shock for her.
You mentioned growing up poor—how did that shape your mindset?
Andrew Taylor: Growing up, we didn’t realize we were poor. When I was around eight, my father’s financial situation improved, and my mother returned to teaching. They expanded our home, doubling the kitchen and living room while adding another bedroom and bathroom. But even then, my four brothers and I still shared a single room.
My father was incredibly resourceful. He would buy pinball machines, motorcycles, and boats that needed repairs, and we would fix them together. Without realizing it, we were developing lifelong skills. He also kept us engaged in various jobs, from mowing lawns and clearing lots to picking and selling watermelons and even giving pony rides. He took half the earnings, and we split the rest.
Our home became a hub for adventure, filled with hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding, camping, and swimming. Looking back, it was an incredible childhood that instilled in me a strong work ethic, problem-solving skills, and a deep appreciation for resourcefulness.
Would you say that upbringing instilled a strong work ethic?
Andrew Taylor: Absolutely. I was milking a cow at 5 a.m. every day. I handled most of the plowing and mowing on the tractor. My father believed in keeping us busy, which not only kept us out of trouble but also taught us the value of hard work.
When we had a contractor build an addition to our house, my father told us, “Watch and learn so we can do it ourselves next time.” That lesson stayed with me. After high school, I worked at a coal power plant and later started my own remodeling company at 21, applying the skills I had developed growing up.
It sounds like farm life prepared you for the real world.
Andrew Taylor: Absolutely. Growing up on a farm taught me that money is a tool, and if I wanted something, I had to work for it. I started as a home inspector in 1984, and by 1986, I was a full-time contractor, remodeling homes and taking on commercial projects.
My father was a master at bricolage. He could fix anything with whatever materials were available. I remember when the latch on our refrigerator broke. My mother thought it was time for a new fridge. Instead, my father cut a strap from an old bicycle inner tube, stretched it around the fridge to keep the door closed, and called it fixed. It wasn’t the most elegant solution, but it worked. Eventually, he did replace the fridge, but that problem-solving mindset had a lasting impact on me as an inventor.
How did growing up as the middle child in a large family shape you?
Andrew Taylor: Being the middle child meant I had to fight for everything. I once asked my mother, after having my first son, how old I was when I took my first steps. She said, “Probably around two. Every time you stood up, one of your brothers would tap you on the head, and you’d sit back down and crawl.”
I doubt I was actually two, but growing up with seven boys in 11 years made for a chaotic household—it truly felt like a tribe.
Would you say your childhood was a positive experience?
Andrew Taylor: It was both good and bad. There was a lot of stress in our household. My father struggled with heavy drinking, and when he drank, he was often angry. Discipline was severe. I remember my uncle once telling my father, “Taylor, you sure have well-behaved boys.” My father responded, “I have to be in control, so when they get out of line, I whip them until I can’t swing the belt anymore.” The punishments left marks that lasted for days, but once they were over, he would shift gears and create some kind of adventure for us.
He also had strict rules, particularly about when we were allowed to do certain things. When I was 13, I asked if I could watch The Twilight Zone with my older brothers. My father asked what time it aired. I told him 9:00 p.m. He asked how old I was, and when I said 13, he responded, “When you’re 14, you can stay up until 10:00.” My birthday was just two weeks away, but he wouldn’t budge. Structure and discipline were non-negotiable to him. He once told me, “Drew, if I didn’t keep you busy every minute of every day, you’d lead your brothers into trouble.” That lesson stuck with me—I’ve always had the instinct to lead.
You’ve accomplished so much in your career. What continues to drive you forward?
Andrew Taylor: My wife describes my mind as a “theme park,” which is a fitting way to put it. I relate to something Elon Musk once said in an interview with Joe Rogan—he mentioned that everywhere he looks, he sees a better way to do things, and his biggest challenge is narrowing his focus. That really resonated with me because I face the same challenge. My mind is always working, constantly thinking of ways to improve, innovate, and build.
What keeps you motivated every day?
Andrew Taylor: I‘ve been a multi-millionaire more than once, and I’ve also lost everything. In 2010, I was homeless in Las Vegas, something only my wife knew. The 2008 financial crisis wiped me out, forcing my family to move in with my in-laws. But by 2011, I was back on my feet when my sons and I launched the first local cold-pressed juice bars in San Antonio. I even designed our own juicers with higher extraction rates and innovative cooling and bottling methods, just before cold-pressed juice became a major trend.
Beyond business, I’ve had over 15 radio, TV, and podcast appearances since the late 1990s, always centered on the companies I built. I learned that paid programming was a powerful tool because it positioned me as an expert and was far more cost-effective than traditional advertising. This approach played a key role in scaling every business I’ve had.
But what truly keeps me going is my faith. Losing everything changed my perspective. In 2008, before my mother passed away, she asked me to dedicate my life to serving God. At the time, I declined, telling her, “God has many people who need Him more than me.” Nine months later, I lost everything. It was a humbling experience. My wife, Sherry, and my sons were the only ones who stood by me. Sherry, in particular, helped me deepen my faith and put God first in my life. That foundation is what keeps me moving forward every day.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded.” That is my life’s mission—to help every life I encounter breathe easier.
What inspired your latest venture in Mexico?
Andrew Taylor: I’ve watched so many people my age and older working just to make ends meet in retirement. After buying out my sons’ shares in the juice bars, my oldest traveled the world and eventually settled in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Mexico. He kept inviting me to visit, but I kept putting it off. Then, a couple of years ago, he sent me a picture of a baby and said, “If you want to meet your granddaughter, come to Mexico.”
That trip changed everything. I discovered a culture of kind, hardworking people who, despite financial hardship, were richer in spirit than most Americans. I was struck by their pride, civility, and work ethic—qualities I feel America has lost.
During that time, my son introduced me to my now-business partner, Roberto, and his wife, Amelia. Their family owns a historic property that has been passed down for generations. It features a 500-year-old Spanish conquistador chapel and was once a key passage between Tuxtla and San Cristóbal. Long before the Spanish arrived, the Mayans inhabited the area for thousands of years.
This venture has become my passion project, allowing me to create meaningful impact while honoring the heritage and spirit of this remarkable place. My goal has always been to uplift those around me, and this endeavor allows me to do exactly that.
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
Read Special Edition Articles
- 10 Traits of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs
- Unlocking the Secrets of Smart Goal Setting Leads to Success
- Maximizing the Power of Networking: The Key to Growing Your Business
- Conquering the Top 5 Most Common Challenges Faced by Entrepreneurs
- Discovering the 3 Essential Steps to Building a Strong, Effective Team as a Startup Founder
- The 7 Key Roles of Market Research in Startup Success
- 5 Ways to Unleash the Benefits of Mentorship for Entrepreneurs
- Mastering Financial Management: The Key to Success for Small Business Owners
- The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Job Markets
- Resilience and Persistence: The Two Essential Ingredients for a Successful Business
