Meet JP Jones

The next few posts will highlight our team of labor professionals.

Meet John Paul (JP) Jones

JP Jones is a founding partner of The Labor Connection. Before starting the business in 2018, he worked for a global A/V technology and event-planning company for 18 years. I asked him to tell us a little about himself:

What were your formative years like?

I grew up near Aurora, Illinois. I joined the navy right out of high school. In fact, I turned 18 in boot camp! I sailed all over Asia, including the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Persian Gulf. After leaving the service, I settled in Long Beach, California for 10-years where I attended college and studied computer science before coming back to the Chicago area.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to spend time with my son, who will be 26 this year! We play video games and shoot pool together pretty often. We were fortunate enough to celebrate his 25th birthday in Hawaii last October.

My wife and I like to travel; we’ve been to Mexico, England, The Netherlands, France (where we stayed on a houseboat on the Seine), Wales, and several National Parks. Every year we try to go to a music festival in San Francisco. 

We like to go hear live music, whether it’s at Ravinia, Thalia Hall, Fitzgerald’s…we try to go several times a year.

I’m a good cook and an even better baker, thanks to my mom, who is a wonder in the kitchen and whose coconut cream pie can’t be beat!

Nearly every winter I try to go snowmobiling in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with an old navy buddy for a couple of weeks.

I also love spending time with my red-nose pitbull, Duke. He’s an old man now, but hey, I’m getting there myself.

I’m also a member of the American Legion, which is a veteran’s organization focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers, and their communities.

What’s on your bucket list?

I’d like to continue growing The Labor Connection, as long as we can keep the same standards, I think we still have more to do, more to offer. Working with my partner Joel and our co-worker Dawn has been a highlight in my career, and I’m so grateful for them.

I’d like to walk the famous 500-mile pilgrimage trail El Camino de Santiago in Spain. It takes about a month. I’ll be planning that trip in the next few years, hopefully. 

I’d like to visit as many National Parks as I can, and my wife and I still want to plan a trip to Scotland, since our 10 year anniversary trip got canceled due to COVID.

What advice would you give to your younger self, or to someone just starting out in this business?

Hmm, that’s a tough one, because we all have a winding road that leads us forward. But I guess I would say, you don’t always have to play it safe, especially when you’re young. Figure out what excites and inspires you, and do more of that. Don’t make promises lightly, and keep the ones you do make. Don’t hold grudges. Believe in yourself. Have fun.

Last question. What are your go-to experiences for visitors to Chicago?

Oh, wow, there are so many. You’ve got to see The Bean (Cloud Gate) while you’re here, and Millennium Park as a whole, if you’re here in nice weather. A free concert at Millennium or Grant Park is a great experience too.

A ride on Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive is a thing of beauty. 

The Art Institute and Navy Pier are great, especially if you have kids. Go see a Chicago sports team play, if you can. You’ll have a blast!

The Garfield Park Conservatory is really cool, and a great place to visit any time, but especially in winter. The humidity in the greenhouses is <chef’s kiss>. Also great in winter: ice skating in Millennium Park.

Rent a paddle boat in Lincoln Park or Humboldt Park. It’s always a good time.

Chicago has amazing art and street festivals and just about every neighborhood has one!

Then I’d say get out into the neighborhoods, which set Chicago apart, I think. Avondale, Pilsen, Lincoln Square, Hyde Park…see as many as you can. Eat your way through the city! 

I could go on and on. You get the idea. There’s so much to do and see and eat, regardless of what time of year you’re here. Yes, even winter. The Scandanavians have a saying: “There is no bad weather, only the wrong clothes!” Plus you get to brag about surviving a Chicago winter.