Hanson married Luise Voss on November 14, 1935, and in 1937, they purchased Hanson’s Furniture and Funeral Home. Hanson drew his first national exposure in 1947 with a Time magazine article that featured a unique sales promotion for his store. It allowed customers to exchange farm produce for furniture and appliances. In 1948, Hanson also became a partner in an International Harvester Implement and Oldsmobile dealership, becoming sole owner in 1951. Both were sold in 1953.