Mark Victor Hansen, born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois, is an American inspirational and motivational speaker, trainer and author. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1970 with a B.A. in Speech Communications. Along with business partner Jack Canfield, Hansen is best known for creating the *Chicken Soup for the Soul* book series, one of the most successful publishing franchises in the world today. In 2005, he co-wrote the book *Cracking the Millionaire Code* with Robert Allen, in which he highlights several self-made millionaires as examples of how to build wealth. In 2006, Hansen co-wrote the book *How to Make the Rest of your Life the Best of your Life* with Art Linkletter. In 2010, Hansen co-authored the book *Cash in a Flash* with Robert Allen as the sequel to the New York Times bestseller *The One Minute Millionaire*. In 2002, The University of Toledo presented Hansen with an Honorary Ph.D. in Business Administration and established the Mark Victor Hansen Entrepreneurial Excellence Fund, which will help shape the minds of future business leaders and assist in the development of the faculty who will teach them. In 2004 Hansen was inducted into the Sales & Marketing Executive International’s Hall of Fame, receiving the Ambassador of Free Enterprise award. He is also the recipient of the 2004 Visionary Philanthropist for Youth Award by Covenant House of CA. Source: [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Victor_Hansen)