After graduating from Coventry University, Kenny Aladenola applied the skills he had built at university to create something of his own. Instead of stepping into a traditional graduate role, he launched Kitchen Makeovers Coventry, a local franchise business helping homeowners transform their kitchens in a simpler, more affordable way.
His journey shows how the knowledge and confidence developed at Coventry University can be applied to practical business ownership, giving students the skills to build careers in ways that work for them.
Building business confidence at Coventry University
Kenny studied Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons) at Coventry University, where he developed the commercial awareness, planning skills and practical mindset that now shape the way he runs his business.
Through his degree, he built an understanding of project planning, budgeting, operations and client communication, skills that are now central to how he manages day-to-day work, leads a team and delivers a high standard of service.
Rather than learning in theory alone, Kenny developed skills he could apply in real situations, from managing timelines and costs to understanding how projects come together from start to finish.
That practical approach gave him a strong foundation for running a business of his own.
Turning university skills into a business
After graduating, Kenny chose to apply what he had learned by launching Kitchen Makeovers Coventry, a locally run franchise business based in the city he had called home for six years.
“I’ve always been interested in how projects come together and I wanted to build something of my own instead of going into an employed role.”
Launching a franchise gave Kenny the chance to build his own business while working within an established model, combining the independence of business ownership with the structure and support of an existing brand.
For Kenny, it was a practical way to move from university into entrepreneurship, using the skills he had already developed to build something with long-term potential.
Applying project management in the real world
Kenny’s degree continues to shape the way he works. His background in quantity surveying and commercial management gives him a strong understanding of how to manage budgets, coordinate teams and keep projects running smoothly.
These are the same skills he now applies every day, from planning customer projects and managing expectations to overseeing delivery and making sure work stays on track.
“I understand how important the kitchen is – it’s often the heart of people’s homes - so I take a lot of care in making sure everything is clearly planned, well communicated and delivered to a high standard.”
His ability to manage projects clearly and confidently is rooted in the practical, career-focused skills he developed at Coventry University.
Building a customer-focused business
His business offers homeowners a more affordable and less disruptive alternative to a full kitchen renovation.
By replacing doors, worktops and fittings rather than removing the entire kitchen, Kenny helps customers transform their space more quickly and cost-effectively.
He works directly with homeowners from the first consultation to final checks, making sure each stage is clearly managed and delivered with care.
“I’ve pulled a great team together and I’m enjoying working closely with customers and seeing the results first-hand.”
This hands-on approach reflects the balance of technical understanding, organisation and communication that helped shape Kenny’s experience at university and now sets his business apart.
A different route into graduate success
Kenny’s journey shows that graduate success does not have to follow one path. For some students, university is the start of a traditional career. For others, it can be the starting point for building something of their own.
By combining practical skills, commercial awareness and the confidence to take initiative, Kenny has turned his degree into a business that serves his local community and creates long-term opportunity.
What can future students take from Kenny’s story?
Kenny’s experience shows how the skills developed at Coventry University can lead to more than one career path. From project management and budgeting to communication and leadership, the knowledge gained through study can be applied in ways that are practical, flexible and entrepreneurial.
For students thinking about what comes next, his story is a reminder that university can help you build more than a career; it can help you build something of your own.
