Today we’d like to introduce you to Zubin Patrawala.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I moved from the East Coast in 2006 to San Diego. Started working at a local Civil Engineering company and was laid off during the low of the downturn. Looked for additional work with other firms that were going through the same process with their own employees.
Decided to start an Engineering company that was different from the typical model. One that leaned forward in its thinking, not just having engineers that think about solving a specific task, but blurring the line between engineering and art and architecture. A firm that had a no nonsense approach, customer oriented, and really trying to help people and in a small way enact positive social change with our knowledge base one that bucked the typical trends that have frankly given Engineering a bad name in some circles.
In some ways, it’s perceived to be a bad time to startup a company, but in our case, it was the best time. It forced us to be lean, to be hungry and to provide the best customer service and designs that we can dream up, and hopefully to change the engineering design firm landscape. We’re just getting started. We can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course not, the biggest struggle was, and still is trying to get the word out about our company. Showing people, the value that’s provided is unprecedented with our firm. Convincing clients that we really can provide a better level of support and direction than a multinational company can. Having the opportunity to do so, is a big deal for us. We actually care about our projects. These are people’s homes, places of work, learning and places of worship. Every little detail counts, every dollar counts, and we never take any of it for granted.
Please tell us about Enginuity Consulting.
We are a Civil Engineering Design firm. Our projects are typically teaming with Architects, Landscape Architects and Developers and Owners to build or renovate a project. Our scope deals with mostly everything outside of the actual building. The parking areas, the infrastructure and utilities that support the building systems, and all the regulatory requirements that are part of developing here in San Diego and California.
We combine all these disciplines, regulations, customer preferences, into a design that is creative, efficient and functional. It is a really tricky line to walk because of all the input involved, but an exiting one because of how social and interactive it is. Working with a team to a completion of a project is a big deal for us. We are so excited to be part of these projects.
Our final deliverable to our clients are our drawings. They are how we convey all our ideas and the compilation of all this information is built by the contractors, and reviewed by the reviewing agencies. Part of the ‘art’ I mentioned earlier is expressed in our drawings. Ours are better than any other engineering firm hands down. It conveys exact information in a clear and concise way. If we cannot convey it clearly, what’s the point? You could have the best idea in your head, but if you cannot convey that clearly it will never come to fruition.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Probably taken more risks and been more aggressive. It’s not in my nature to be that way. I very much go with the flow of things. I recently went to a talk where a speaker talked about his scuba diving hobby. He said that we can’t wait for humans to be able to evolve so we can breathe underwater. What do we do? We bring the air with us so we can explore. We bring and take what we need to do what we need to.
That really resonated with me. I’m going to bring the air with me and not wait for it to come to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.enginuityconsulting.com
- Phone: 8586050056
Image Credit:
Zubin Patrawala
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
