Architectural Firm Growing with New York’s Development Projects
New York, NY— Suspended from the ceiling in the center of the world’s largest toy store---the Toys “R” Us in New York’s Times Square---is a multi-venue space with movable panels that allow for dynamic use of lighting, an open or closed environment and acoustic separation for events ranging from children’s birthday parties to evening cocktail receptions. It is just one example of the innovative and beautiful projects designed by Manhattan architectural firm Kenny & Khan Inc.

Kenny & Khan was founded by partners Rolando Kenny and Khalida Khan who had worked together for eight years at another company before starting their own architectural firm in 2002. The firm specializes in the planning and design of projects for educational and government agencies requiring strict compliance with specific standards and specifications in addition to the city’s and state’s myriad of construction laws.

The company’s institutional work ranges from K-12 public schools to government offices and recreational facilities. The company has a portfolio of completed work all around the city including the new athletic fields at Manhattan’s Pier 40, rehabilitation of the Bedford Park Subway Station in the Bronx, the renovation of the auditorium at PS 157 in Rego Park, Queens, and new U.S. Court Offices in the Woolworth Building to name a few.

Prior to launching their business, Kenny and Khan attended Pace University’s Small Business Development Center monthly business planning workshops in order to draft their business plan. They also took advantage of the expertise of SBDC business counselor, Ruth Wan, to fine-tune financial projections and determine their capital needs for a loan application package. Their comprehensive loan application helped Kenny and Khan secure a $150,000 working capital loan in 2002 from HSBC that was guarantied by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The partners had injected $50,000 of their own money as part of the loan deal.

Kenny and Khan didn’t draw salaries for the first three months of operation, but had planned for that income shortfall in their original business plan. By their second year, they were doing well enough to bring on an employee. With their continued success they brought on additional staff in their third and fourth years, and are looking to add more this year. Revenues increased by 10 percent in each of those years and the company is now working on 30 different projects.

According to Khan, “The SBA made it possible to begin a small journey into our future.”

“We anticipate working with the SBA as we continue to grow,” added Kenny.


-by DeAnn Misilmeri


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