While attending the University, Jane Kim and Theresa Spencer, alumnae from the class of 2010, never saw themselves one day starting their own business. But after working 9-to-5 cubicle jobs, both Kim and Spencer were dissatisfied with the repetitiveness of their post-grad careers.

“We wanted to do something on our own, run our own business,” Kim said.

After a conversation over dinner discussing their frustrations with their professions, they decided to take a chance and leave their jobs to start their own business.

That decision led the friends to start the accessories website Cuvvet.com. The site offers “unique statement pieces” that can dress up jeans and a tee or a favorite cocktail dress.

The website targets young, female professionals and prides itself on finding jewelry that can be versatile and can go from the office to a night on the town. Right now, the site has just women’s accessories, but Kim and Spencer are looking to expand into men’s accessories soon.

Kim, who had a great interest in fashion, teamed up with Spencer, who mostly handles the business side of the company.

“We really didn’t have much experience,” Spencer said. “But we were really driven and just learned as we went.”

Since starting the business in June, the partners said they have done everything on their own to minimize their costs. From designing and maintaining the website to photographing their products to selecting products from boutiques overseas, they are involved in each and every step of running the business.

Beginning an online business can be difficult as far as getting the word out, Kim said. To expand their audience, Kim and Spencer started to use social media websites like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. They also used their friends as a network.

“It just really took off after that,” Spencer said. “We are international now. We’re shipping over to places like Australia and England. It’s pretty cool.”

While the two entrepreneurs have the option of working from home in their pajamas, this does not mean they don’t work hard. They each put in about 12 hours each day to maintain the success of the rising business. ButKim said their new business is less like a typical job and is more rewarding than doing work they don’t enjoy.

The most difficult aspect of starting their own business is having to make sacrifices. Running a business takes away time that would otherwise be spent with friends, family and boyfriends, the pair said.

“It’s hard to be living in the city and your friend calls you and says, ‘Hey, I’m at the bar across the street,’ and you have to say that you’re staying in to work on putting pictures up,” Spencer said. “But in the end, what do you really miss from one night out?”

In addition to the time commitment, both Kim and Spencer said they missed the guarantee of a payday.

“I remember that first Friday that I didn’t get a paycheck,” Spencer said. “But it’s just something that you have to risk. You have to trust yourself.”

In addition to their push on social networking, Spencer and Kim have decided to start marketing their merchandise on college campuses and have started visiting sororities on campuses such as Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.

Bianca Roby, senior in LAS, saw some of the Cuvvet.com pieces when Spencer and Kim showed them at her sorority house.

“The pieces were very unique,” Roby said after purchasing a cross bracelet from the showing. “It’s good quality to it and it’s different. It has a very urban feel to it.”

Kelly can be reached at [email protected].