My Story

I’m often asked how I became ‘Your Marketing Magnet’. Here is my story:

WHERE I BEGAN – Hailing from a long-line of self-made over-achievers, I’ve been a FEMPRENEUR my entire life. Fascinated with every aspect of “Business”, in particular “Marketing”, I began selling brand-name men’s fashions in my father’s clothing stores when I was just eight years old. Moving from trading quality men’s garments to promoting them, I started implementing print, radio & television campaigns, customer incentives & rewards, fashion shows and other special events by the time I was fifteen. And soon discovered I had a KNACK for successfully marketing, publicizing, promoting and GROWING other businesses.

BEYOND THE THEORY- Functioning as an on-campus “Social Director” while earning two University degrees at WESTERN & YORK gave me more EXPERIENCE dealing with people and assessing their needs – and further caused me to pursue certification and a career in PUBLIC & MEDIA RELATIONS marketing.

THE RISE AND FALL OF ‘THE PR PRINCESS’- After holding different “Marketing/PR” internships and positions in the Food, Fashion, Professional Development and Interactive Amusement industries, in 1997, I founded Prime Time PR – a boutique marketing/PR firm emulated after leading PR firms such as Hill and Knowlton that offered similar services – only it was primarily geared towards independents, smaller companies and book authors who were often neglected by larger firms or their publishers.

Affectionately deemed ‘The PR Princess’, I revolutionized standard industry practices and boldly brought PR and its many faces and facets to restaurateurs, retailers, lawyers, financial planners, chiropractors, psychotherapists, dentists, professional organizers, outdoor enthusiasts, art dealers, artists, dating services, resorts, pharmaceutical representatives, professional speakers, cell phone distributors, a few politicians, celebrities, and more!

‘Walking my talk’ and leading by example, I set out to educate the business masses about PR’s numerous benefits – initially by becoming a Competent Toast Master (CTM), then by devising a series of marketing/PR talks (and delivering them at THE LEARNING ANNEX as well as at various venues around the GTA). Creating and serving as editor of PRtalk (Canada’s only online PR magazine), media appearances and my regular marketing/PR columns published in The York Region Business Times, Women with Vision! Magazine and Elevation’s Profile Marketing soon followed. I was also the first to introduce a PR club with pay-per-placement alternatives in the Canadian market place. My intent – simply to make PR and marketing more accessible to those who didn’t have an advertising budget in excess of $50,000 and needed it the most — so they could understand how PR differs from advertising and incorporate it into their marketing efforts to extend their outreach and generate bigger bang for their promotional buck!

TRANSITIONING INTO MY TRUE CALLING- You might think I had it made and was living the GLAMOUROUS life. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I endured many dark moments throughout my career as a publicist. Years of doing it all, living on 3-hours of sleep, one failed relationship after another, serious illness, setbacks and financial hardship. Totally BURNT-OUT, I wanted to throw in the towel many times and go work for an agency. But my creativity, commitment to personal & professional development and sheer determination pushed me through. I did a lot of SOUL-SEARCHING, trusted my intuition and transitioned into what I now consider my TRUE CALLING – Janette Burke, ‘Your Marketing Magnet’ – Marketing Mentor, Strategist, Speaker, Author and TV Personality.

MOVING FORWARD- Within two short years, I re-branded myself, decided only to work with Women Entrepreneurs, wrote 67 Plus Ways to Promote Your Business & Make Money Today! - Proven Tricks of the Trade for Catching Customers and Becoming a Marketing Magnet, had more of my articles published, developed “The Magnetic Marketing Report” e-zine and moved from behind the camera to where I always believed I belonged…in-front of it with “The Magnetic Marketing Moment” – my 15-minute monthly marketing segment that first aired on That Channel – Toronto’s #1 Internet Radio TV Station’s MENSCHLife TV with David Grossman. When MENSCHLIFE left the That Channel family, I joined LIQUID LUNCH, That Channel’s flagship lifestyle & business show, where in addition to doubling my segment, I served as co-host along side host Hugh Reilly, the 3rd Monday of every month from April 2010 until February 2012. Highlights included planning shows & topics, booking guests, doing show notices & promo, being exposed to the ‘behind the scenes’ technology,  posing interesting questions, ad-libbing, doing my own hair & make-up, selecting wardrobe, meeting & interviewing local business owners, professionals, authors, musicians, performers,  comedians, TV Show Hosts, politicians, members of the Media, fundraisers, coaches, consultants & celebs, as well as twice working the RED CAEPET at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival).

Click HERE to see some of the GUESTS who appeared:

Here is a PARTIAL list of the GUESTS that APPEARED on:

That Channel’s Liquid Lunch -

  • Jenna Elfman
  • Sash Jordon
  • Lighthouse
  • Debbie Travis
  • Carla Collins
  • Tyrone Power Jr.
  • Kenny MacLean (Platinum Blonde)
  • Glass Tiger
  • George Chuvalo
  • Leslie Roberts, anchor Global News Hour
  • Cheryl Hickey, ET Canada
  • Kim D’Eeon, ET Canada
  • Rosey Edeh, ET Canada
  • Eric Bradon, “Victor Newman”, The Young & the Restless
  • Joshua Marrow, “Nicholas Newman”, The Young & the Restless
  • Peter Kent, MPP Thornhill
  • David Frum
  • Jake Gold, Canadian Idol judge
  • Mark Breslin, Yuk Yuk’s, Berlin Nightclub
  • Measha Brueggergosman
  • Michael Landsberg
  • Ex-Mayor David Miller
  • Mik,e “Pinball” Clemons
  • Carole Pope
  • Jesse Sulidis – The Bachelor Season 12 and The Bachelor Pad Season 1 Reality TV Star
  • Boris Chernyak, “The Incredible Boris”
  • Rose Reisman, Rose Reisman Catering, Pickle Barrel & Glow Restaurant
  • David Cohen, Host of The Small Business Big Ideas Radio Show
  • Marc Gordon, Host, Marc TV
  • Elliott Katz, author, Being the Strong Man a Woman Wants
  • Dr. Cory Torgerson, Facial Cosmetic Surgeon

I’m Every Woman! -

  • Rosalie Moscoe, author, Frazzled Hurried Woman
  • Mr. March & Mr. November, The Toronto Fire Fighters Association, Princess Margaret Foundation 2012 Calendar Firemen

Click HERE to watch previous LIQUID LUNCH episodes!

Click HERE to see more of my INTERVIEWS on my YOU TUBE CHANNEL!

Click HERE to see I’M EVERY WOMAN’S premiere!

TODAY – I continue to EMPOWER Women in Business, enrich and enhance their lives via my MARKETING MENTORING PROGRAMS, WRITINGS, SPEECHES and I’M EVERY WOMAN! web TV show – giving them the MOTIVATION, MINDSET and TOOLS they need to MUSTER anything!