From bows to buttons, the journey to entrepreneurship for Loren Ferretti and Alexandra Gramatikas started at UCF.

Both women were on the hunt for clothing accessories that didn鈥檛 exist, so they decided to create a market for themselves with and ALTR button covers, respectively.

After struggling to find affordable options to wear to each of UCF鈥檚 home games, Ferretti developed Gameday Bows, a website that sells bows in school colors that can be worn at football games or anywhere. The bows were an affordable way to ramp up the school spirit of black, gold and white outfits she already owned.

鈥淭he bow creates an accent piece that can be worn on a number of dresses and adds the perfect pop of color to represent your school鈥檚 colors,鈥� said Ferretti, a 2009 marketing graduate who launched Gameday Bows鈥� web store this fall after receiving compliments on her bows and requests to buy them.

Now, she sews the bows herself and ships them across the country.

For Gramatikas, the concept for ALTR鈥檚 slip-on button covers came from a trying to find the perfect outfit for a themed party. She was in search of a traditional, preppy blazer with gold buttons. A jacket she already had worked, but the buttons weren鈥檛 quite what she wanted.

鈥淚n passing, I made a comment about wanting to change out buttons more efficiently, and from there, ALTR was born,鈥� Gramatikas said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been an unexpected surprise, getting into an industry I never thought I鈥檇 be involved with.鈥�

Gramatikas earned her undergraduate degree from Florida State 海角直播 before enrolling in UCF鈥檚 MBA program and graduating in spring 2012.

During her last semester, Gramatikas won the College of Business Administration鈥檚 annual Joust competition, which challenges entrepreneurial students from UCF to develop business proposals and compete against one another in the hopes of being judged as having the most promising idea.

The business plan behind Gramatikas鈥� UCF-themed button covers won her the competition鈥檚 $10,000 prize and a year of support from the UCF Incubator.

Experience inside the classroom and from internships also helped Ferretti get her company on track.

鈥淎s a marketing major, I was placed in classes that allowed me to participate in creating business plans and marketing plans鈥攖ruly hands on planning that I have utilized and continue to utilize with Gameday Bows,鈥� she said.

But starting your own company doesn鈥檛 come without small stumbles, both women said.

For Ferretti, she鈥檚 had to balance the responsibilities of operating Gameday Bows with her full-time marketing job. With ALTR, it took Gramatikas several months to get licensing approval for the logos on her UCF and UF button covers.

Ultimately, the women encourage other self-starters to be bold and chase their dreams.

鈥淢y advice to anyone thinking of starting their own business is get out there and go for it. With proper education and planning, it鈥檚 possible to do,鈥� said Ferretti. 鈥淎lso, ask for help. I鈥檓 surrounded by marketing professionals daily that have encouraged me and enlightened me to things I never knew possible.鈥�

Gramatikas also encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to recruit mentors and ask for feedback.

鈥淚f you don鈥檛 talk about your idea, you won鈥檛 find the resources or get the feedback you need,鈥� said Gramatikas. With a product, you need to not get caught up in the fact that it鈥檚 your baby. It鈥檚 your business, and it鈥檚 important to be open to constructive criticism.鈥�

Fox 35鈥檚 鈥淕ood Day鈥� will broadcast from 7 to 10 a.m. Friday from the Reflecting Pond on the main campus. Fox鈥檚 visit is part of a college road trip series that features several universities in Central Florida.

Anchors Amy Kaufeldt and John Brown will be stationed outside Millican Hall just in front of the pond, and meteorologist Jayme King and reporter David Martin will provide live coverage from across campus. The team will speak with students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators about what makes UCF such a special place to learn, live and work.

Students and other members of the campus community are invited to stop by Millican Hall on Friday and be a part of the broadcast. Show your school spirit by wearing UCF swag and using the hashtag #Fox35UCF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media outlets.

Scheduled to appear live during the broadcast are UCF President John C. Hitt; the UCF spirit team; women鈥檚 soccer coach, Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak; and Bodhi, UCF鈥檚 therapy dog.

Pre-recorded segments include:

A segment about UCF鈥檚 innovative undergraduate photonics and laser program is scheduled to air on Fox 35 at 10 p.m. Friday.

The morning show also will be shown on Fox 35鈥檚 .