We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mike Barnett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mike below.

Mike, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I am very happy to be a business owner! I have always had a job, since I turned 16. Along the way I had some good bosses and some really bad ones. I tried to learn as much as possible from each work experience. I owe a debt of gratitude to each of my former employers. I learned what works and what doesn’t. I have been my own boss now for almost 6 years. There is a great deal of responsibility that comes with having your own business, but that is the way I like it. I’d like to think I am adaptable enough to deal with just about anything. The pandemic was a true test.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I worked in restaurants all throughout college. I always liked the fast-paced, never-a-dull-moment atmosphere. I majored in Finance, and after graduation I took a job selling investments. I quickly realized that sitting behind a desk was driving me crazy. So, I got into the golf business. I was a teaching pro for several years. In 2000 I got married and moved to New York City so my wife could attend graduate school at NYU. I worked in hotel management in Manhattan for 3 years. That was a terrific learning experience, and it suited my personality and skillset.
In 2004 we moved to Boise, Idaho to be closer to her family in Oregon. While in Idaho I was a partner in two car washes, and later opened a New York style pizza shop.
in 2014 we moved back to Texas, and I helped my good friend Seth Morgan open Denton County Brewing Company. Once the brewery was up and running, I started looking for a place to put another pizza shop. Along the way I heard that Denton Independent Hamburger might be for sale. Denton Independent has been my favorite burger place since I was a kid, and the chance to take the reigns of a Denton institution was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Next March will mark 6 years,, and we are moving to a bigger, better location late this year. I hope to expand to multiple locations, as I have long felt this concept would work just about anywhere.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2014, when we decided to move back to Texas, I sold my Idaho pizza shop on a private note. The buyer defaulted on the note and the lease, and I later learned he had not paid sales tax for months. After several attempts to work out a settlement, I had no recourse but to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. That whole experience could have discouraged me from ever owning another business. However, I learned from it and moved ahead more confident in my abilities than ever before.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The pandemic changed almost every business in some way, and the restaurant industry was especially disrupted. For several weeks we were not able to offer indoor seating. So, we retooled and supercharged our drive-thru and take-out business. Supply chain issues soon followed, and that was another daily challenge. Then, inflation took hold and we are still dealing with that today. So, the last 3 years have been a real challenge!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dentonindependenthamburger.com
• Instagram: dentonburgerco
• Facebook: Denton Independent Hamburger Company
• Twitter: @DentonBurgerCo

Image Credits
Randy Walling