JP (James Parker) Hansen was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. He attended Boston College, where he studied English and Economics. Following college, he ascended corporate ladders at blue-chip companies: Nestle, Bristol-Myers Squibb, SC Johnson Wax, and ConAgra. 

In 1994, he founded Hansen Executive Search, Inc., and is currently its President. Though the corporation has billed millions of dollars, he is most proud of the fact that he has helped thousands of people find bliss in their dream jobs.