The Making of a Philanthropist —Henry Kallan
W
e have all heard the idiom “from rags to riches” that comes from stories written by Horatio Alger (1832-1899) of poor boys who, through their own great work ethic, became rich young men. This is a story of dedication, hard work, and triumph. It is an honour to introduce you to a once poor boy with a great work ethic, Henry Kallan.
Photo credit: al Nanasi, La Femme HU
In 1968, at the age of 21, Henry Kallan immigrated to New York from Czechoslovakia with less than a few shekels in this pocket, no formal education, and most significantly, unable to speak a word of English.
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Today, Henry is one of the renowned names in boutique hotels with seven hotels: Hotel Elysee, Casablanca Hotel, Hotel Giraffe and the Library Hotel, all in New York City, The Aria Hotel Prague, The Aria Hotel Budapest and the most recently opened, Hotel X Toronto. Collectively, this group of luxury hotels is known as The Library Hotel Collection.
The Journey Henry was born in a small community on the Hungary-Slovak border where he came from a modest farming family. During the communist takeover, his father refused to capitulate to their wishes and was jailed for five years After receiving amnesty, the family was forced to move to Bratislava, Slovakia where Henry lived until he was 20 years old. In 1968, he immigrated to New York, without the benefit of speaking English and only with the change in his pocket. Henry’s first job in New York paid $1.56 an hour before he landed his first job at the Gotham Hotel as a busboy, which launched his life in the hotel world. His continued growth opportunities didn’t occur by happenchance. Henry knew that one of the most expeditious ways to grow in the hotel industry and improve his English skills was to work at the front desk. Henry took a chance and offered to work the front desk for three weeks without pay and he has not looked back. After working at the front desk and polishing his English, he earned his way to being the Front Office Manager at the Delmonico Hotel and from there, moved to the prestigious Drake Hotel.
