Engineering boss talks to young entrepreneurs

Karen Friendship, Managing Director of Aldermans Tooling, was the latest guest of the Plymouth College Entrepreneurial Society.

A former Plymouth College pupil, Karen talked about her journey from school, through an engineering degree at Bristol, to taking over the helm of the metalwork solutions company at the age of 28.

She said that being prepared to work hard, put in the hours and take on extra tasks and challenges had helped her to get where she is now.  Karen said that she learns from others, keeps an open mind, visualises goals and has never been afraid to delegate.  Listening and communicating with her team are really important.  She told the students to make their own opportunities but to seek help when they need it.

The Plymouth-based business leader set the students the ‘marshmallow challenge’, an exercise using spaghetti, tape and string to see who could make the tallest unsupported structure with a marshmallow on top.  The activity not only challenged their creativity but also demonstrated the value of teamwork. 

The Entrepreneurial Society was launched in 2014 and has welcomed an eclectic mix of business leaders from Reggae Reggae Sauce creator Levi Roots, to Two Four Productions head Melanie Leach, to Fat Face Founder Tim Slade.  The aim of the Society is to bring business and economics alive for students and to promote enterprise and leadership in them.

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