Biz Her Way Series: Meet Tina Burke Founder of Burke Recruiting Inc., Vancouver's Leading Recruitment Agency
By: Sacha Walton, Business Strategist and CEO of SWI Management Group
Hi, I’m Sacha Walton, founder and editor of Biz Her Way. My mission is to celebrate women business owners and entrepreneurs who are disrupting their industries, trailblazing the norm, and impacting change within their communities.
Women are making an impact worldwide in business ownership. Whether they are Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs, Authors, Speakers, Creatives, or Intrapreneurs as C-suite employees; they are playing by their own rules and creating their narratives.
According to the Small Business Association (SBA), “over 13 million women own businesses in the US.” Women are taking their place in society and scaling businesses with ideas, talents, passions, and skillsets while staying focused on legacy building.
My heart desires to see women win and I’m excited about sharing the amazing stories of these phenomenal women.
Let’s lift up and applaud all the amazing, talented, inspirational, and diverse women worldwide who are making their voices heard.
Recently, I had a wonderful interview with Tina Burke, Founder of Burke Recruiting Inc., One of Biz Her Way’s Top 25 Women to Watch in 2024.
Thank you for having this interview with me. I’m excited about sharing your story in our Biz Her Way Series here on Medium.com.
Our readers would love to learn more about you. Please tell us who you are and a little something about yourself.
I started my career as an accountant with over a decade of experience in retail, banking, and service. I later transitioned to recruitment consulting in 1996.
After becoming a mom, I sought a way to balance work and family life. This led me to start my own business in 2001 and has guided numerous careers in finance, accounting, payroll, credit, collections, and more.
Entrepreneurship allowed me the flexibility to attend to my children’s needs, especially when I became a single mom with my kids aged six and nine.
Despite the challenges, I continued to grow my business while being present for school activities and sports commitments. The pain and challenges I faced during that time pushed me to explore meditation, spirituality, Feng Shui, and more, leading to a journey of healing and personal growth.
I am the founder of Burke Recruiting Inc., a Vancouver-based boutique recruitment firm specializing in placing accountants and human resource professionals in various roles, including permanent, contract, and temporary positions.
As a Feng Shui Master, I combine my business acumen with Feng Shui principles, offering tips and insights on my TikTok account and various social media platforms. I am a co-author of “Global Conscious Entrepreneurs” with Marie Diamond, a star of “The Secret,” a book that became a #1 Hot Release in eight countries.
I amplify my influence through a bi-weekly newsletter, a YouTube channel, podcasts, and being actively present on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
Being recognized as one of Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2005 was a great accomplishment and I continue to make a significant impact in the recruitment industry and beyond.
Now, everyone has a story behind the beginning of their business. What inspired you to start your own business, and how has your journey been so far?
I began my journey by taking accounting courses part-time in the evenings after work and graduated from BCIT in 1995. I worked as an accountant for many years before transitioning to recruitment, where I discovered my entrepreneurial spirit.
I started my firm in a challenging economic climate, just before 9/11, which felt like a David and Goliath situation as I competed against large recruiting firms in a devastated economy.
Despite doubts from others, my company turned a profit in its first year and has thrived for 24 years. Following through on my dream was challenging but ultimately rewarding.
Tell us about the pivotal moment when you knew your business idea had great potential.
I’ve always had faith in my business concept. The realization hit me when I thought about the substantial revenue I was generating for my employer — why not channel that effort into my own venture?
Moreover, I envisioned creating a company with a distinctively warmer and more approachable culture than my previous workplace. I believed there was a niche in the Vancouver market for a friendlier approach in the recruiting industry. Turns out, I was right!
Which quotes or affirmations inspire you?
I firmly believe in the power of passion driving success. One of my favorite personal affirmations is: “Pursue what you love, and success will follow!”
How are you making an impact with your business or project?
I am dedicated to integrating spirituality into the professional realm. Through my business, I provide valuable insights into how candidates and clients can leverage spiritual and Feng Shui principles in their workspaces and during job applications.
I’ve also launched a TikTok video series to share practical tips, and I’m currently authoring a book that merges business acumen with Feng Shui wisdom.
I aim to enhance personal and professional lives by introducing these transformative practices.
What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to start their own ventures?
As I reflect on my journey, I recall the doubts from friends and family when I left a secure job to start my venture. What drove me was a compelling inner urge — it felt essential.
My mindset was to give it one year, with the thought that I could always return to traditional employment if necessary. My advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs is to take things one step at a time, but also to dream big. Set your vision with long-term goals in mind and approach the initial steps as manageable milestones.
We celebrate women entrepreneurs in our publication. How do you make a difference in the lives of other women entrepreneurs?
I am committed to supporting women entrepreneurs in Vancouver by patronizing woman-owned businesses and participating in various groups.
As a Métis, I am actively involved with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), offering discounts to Indigenous-owned businesses and non-profits. My family and company also volunteer with the Union Gospel Mission, contributing to our community’s welfare.
Through these actions, I strive to uplift and empower other women in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
How do you balance the demands of entrepreneurship with personal well-being and self-care?
Balancing well-being and self-care with the demands of entrepreneurship is a priority for me. I maintain a daily practice of meditation and yoga, and apply Feng Shui and Dowsing to create a harmonious environment in my home and office.
I prioritize daily exercise, never scheduling meetings during these crucial times to ensure I’m at my best. My diet is another cornerstone of my wellness strategy; while I indulge occasionally, I generally adhere to a healthy eating plan.
This holistic approach helps me stay energized and effective in both my personal and professional life.
Provide words of wisdom in 2 -5 sentences for another woman.
If I could share some wisdom, it would be to transform negative self-talk into affirmations. Instead of seeing daily tasks or challenges as burdens, reframe them as opportunities — say ‘I get to pick up the kids from soccer’ instead of ‘I have to.’ Replace ‘I will try’ with ‘I will do it!’ and banish self-criticisms like ‘I am so stupid’ in favor of empowering declarations such as ‘I am smart.’
Begin and end each day by affirming your worth with statements like ‘I am enough,’ repeated nine times. Dream big and speak of your aspirations as if they are already unfolding.
What’s next for you?
I am expanding my business with a new service offering cost-effective resume assistance, as we’ve recognized a significant need among our candidates. I aim to provide this service at a fair price, helping candidates craft standout resumes without the excessive fees often charged elsewhere.
Additionally, I am working to complete my next book and aspiring for it to achieve the same success as ‘Global Conscious Entrepreneurs.’ I’m also developing a course on resume writing for those who prefer to undertake this task themselves.
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Sacha Walton, business strategist and owner of SWI Management Group, helps entrepreneurs level up their businesses with strategic planning, marketing, and branding, which drive business growth and visibility. If you would like to be featured Biz Her Way Series, email us at info@swimgtgroup.com
