An Inspired Chat with Janique Burke of Johns Creek

We recently had the chance to connect with Janique Burke and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Janique, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
The gym. I have to start my day with a workout. Working out sets the tone for my day and puts me in a great mood. I also have a group of friends who regularly go to the gym, so it’s a great social space for me since I’m always working. The gym definitely brings me joy these days.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Janique Burke, a journalist turned hospitality and AI strategist with over 25 years of experience in storytelling, service, and systems. My career began in the magazine industry, where I worked as an Associate Editor for a major music publication and contributed articles to Essence, Vibe, and other outlets, covering topics in health, wellness, finance, and entertainment.

As technology transformed media, I pivoted into the luxury hospitality sector, joining Forbes Travel Guide as a copy editor and luxury hospitality evaluator. There, I had the privilege of assessing five-star hotels, restaurants, and spas worldwide, refining my understanding of what defines exceptional guest experiences.

In 2021, I released my eBook, “Girlfriends’ Guide to Luxury: 5 Benefits of Five-Star Hotel Stays,” now available on Amazon. The book explores the art of luxury travel through my experiences evaluating world-class properties and serves as an empowering guide for women who aspire to embrace elevated, five-star living.

Building on my passion for service excellence, I launched The Hospitality Playbook™ under my company, Burke Media Consulting Services LLC. The Hospitality Playbook helps restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop owners and team leaders strengthen their service culture, streamline operations, and boost revenue through training systems inspired by luxury hospitality standards. My programs combine structured systems, curated resources, and consulting to help teams deliver consistent, high-quality experiences that guests remember.

Recognizing that smaller establishments often lack access to the same level of training as five-star brands, I created a simple yet powerful framework using service standards, scripts, daily shift checklists, roleplaying exercises, incognito inspections, and AI integration. The goal is to help owners and managers replace chaos with confidence, transforming their staff into service professionals who embody excellence.

The true innovation behind my system is The Hospitality Playbook GPT™, a 24/7 AI-powered training assistant that reinforces service standards, teaches upselling, and provides instant answers to staff questions. This technology merges my two worlds: luxury hospitality and artificial intelligence.

As an AI Data Trainer and AI Consultant, I’ve spent the past year and a half helping train LLMs and chatbots, while also developing automation systems and custom GPTs for businesses that integrate their menus, operations, and brand voice. I also lead AI education workshops for educators and business owners, teaching them how to leverage AI to increase productivity.

Through Burke Media Consulting Services, I now offer AI-powered automation solutions that help businesses streamline their workflow and elevate customer experience. Currently, I’m collaborating with a New Jersey coffee shop to design a customized GPT that modernizes staff training and improves service consistency.

In every venture, my mission remains the same: to fuse luxury-level service with smart, AI-powered solutions that help hospitality businesses grow, evolve, and thrive in a digital era.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What often breaks the bonds between people is a failure to truly communicate, listen, understand, and empathize. When communication falters, connection fades, and collaboration suffers. The path to restoration begins with accountability. Owning our actions and opening honest dialogue rebuilds trust. In hospitality, as in life, accountability is the foundation of loyalty. When businesses truly listen, they don’t just mend relationships, they strengthen them.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering gave me what success never could: resilience, perspective, and faith. It prepared me for every reinvention, from newsroom deadlines to luxury hotel evaluations to building AI solutions. When technology reshaped the journalism world, I was forced to pivot. Each shift stretched me, tested me, and ultimately strengthened me. Now, I teach others how to embrace transformation instead of fearing it.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My family. Anyone who knows me knows how important my family is to me. They know that most of my free time, when possible, is spent with my son, Mason, and/or my parents. My family members are my support system and my biggest cheerleaders.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop worrying. Even with strong faith, I sometimes find myself overthinking what’s already in God’s hands. Worry has never changed an outcome; it only steals peace from the present. If I had 10 years left, I’d trade every moment of worry for gratitude, faith, and the freedom to live fully in each day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thehospitalityplaybook.com
• Instagram: @_thehospitalityplaybook.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Hospitality-Playbook-61579602394382/
• Other: Girlfriends’ Guide to Luxury: 5 Benefits of Five-Star Hotel Stays
  

  TikTok: @thehospitalityplaybook

Image Credits
I apologize, but I do not have great images at this time.