Justin Barnett O.D.
Owner
When visiting his grandparents, JB could be found in his grandfather’s garage learning how to use woodworking tools he was much too young for.
His creative passion was ignited after watching his grandfather build birdhouses. Now, that creativity has expanded significantly. He’s driven by a desire to learn the best building practices while pushing the boundaries of what is possible in design.
JB’s goal remains the same regardless of scope: implement best building practices, ensure the finished project feels original to the home, and guide homeowners from start to finish so the end result exceeds their original vision.
“I knew very early that design and construction was my creative outlet.” - Justin
Path to TCP
His path to construction wasn’t linear. He was always drawn to understanding how things were built. While he always envisioned a career in medicine, he also had a strong passion for design and construction.
He attended high school in Dallas then graduated from Southwestern University. He majored in business to prepare for running a company while minoring in chemistry on the pre-med track. At Southwestern, he played baseball and finished his athletic career as an All-American.
Balancing academics and athletics was no small feat. Taking Organic Chemistry II during the spring baseball season proved to be a defining challenge, one that helped prepare him for the demands of graduate school and beyond.
Following graduation from Southwestern, JB attended the University of Houston College of Optometry. During optometry school, he spent two summers conducting research.
JB was drawn to the clinical side of the profession and the relationships built with patients, leading him to focus on his clinical career. His greatest accomplishment during that time, however, was meeting his wife, Valerie. Together, they have two daughters and a border collie named Abi.
How do the skills and experiences you gained as an optometrist contribute to your success at TCP?
I’m fascinated by the similarities that all businesses share, but it’s been especially valuable at TCP to apply my analytical background to rethink many of our systems, as well as our focus on education. In any medical discipline, doctors are required to complete continuing education each year to maintain proficiency. In construction, there is typically no such requirement to grow in knowledge or even maintain skill levels. That means we must hold ourselves accountable, as there is no minimum standard of knowledge required. At TCP, we prioritize staying at the forefront of industry knowledge and pushing the boundaries of design, while always maintaining best building practices.
During optometry school, JB formed a friendship with Steven, owner of Texas Custom Patios, who was launching his patio and pergola business in Houston. As years passed, their friendship grew, and he became increasingly involved with Texas Custom Patios.
Today, they co-own the TCP office in DFW. For him, designing and building outdoor spaces offers a perfect blend of creativity and practicality, allowing him to help homeowners design their dream outdoor environments and bring them to life.
Construction is rapidly evolving, and requires a strong commitment to ongoing learning to stay at the forefront of best practices. This is where they excel. Every day in construction presents something new and exciting, and the field continues to inspire him.
