The Creative Hustler: How Gifty Commey Turned Struggles Into Serial Entrepreneurship
What could possibly turn an accounting student from the University of Education, Winneba, into a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur—wearing the hats of a musician, content creator, social media manager, product photographer, and crocheting artisan?
In this story, I speak with Gifty Commey, a dynamic Ghanaian entrepreneur whose journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring. What started out as a venture to escape the rigidity of corporate life has now evolved into a portfolio of passion-driven businesses under her personal brand, Ogivia.
Escaping the Cubicle Life
“What started you on entrepreneurship?”
“The struggles of life, honestly—and the constant feeling of being misunderstood in a regular office setting. I just wasn’t fitting into people’s expectations at the workplace. It was stifling. Eventually, I knew I had to write my own story.”
Gifty’s entrepreneurial spark didn’t come from a glossy vision board or a five-year plan. It came from discomfort and a desire for self-expression that couldn’t be contained by the conventional 9-to-5.
First Steps: Teaching Guitar to Survive
Her first business was born out of necessity.
“After resigning from my job, I had no backup plan. I began teaching guitar, and one family trusted me enough to hire me. They paid me 200 Ghana cedis a month. That was in 2021. It wasn’t much, but it sustained me long enough to think bigger.”
Pitching Without a Plan: How Ogivia Social Media Was Born
Sometimes opportunities come through random conversations. One day, a visit to a clinic turned into a career pivot.
“They asked how I came across their clinic and I said, ‘Through an online search.’ Then I added, ‘Actually, I could do better for you.’ I pitched myself as a social media manager right there on the spot.”
With a boundless belief in her ability to figure things out, Gifty launched Ogivia Social Media, a boutique social media agency.
“I recall one client asking for a mood board. I had no idea what that was and had to look it up. But that’s how you learn and grow. Step by step, other companies came on board to ask me to manage their social media pages. I became what I believed.”
Turning Problems into Products
The entrepreneurial path wasn’t without hurdles.
“Photographers were charging me huge amounts to create content for my clients. In a lot of cases, I made losses.”
Instead of giving up, she saved up, bought a camera, and learned product photography. What started as a cost-cutting measure quickly turned into Ogivia Product Studio, a new venture providing professional product photography services to brands across Ghana.
From Burnout to Moon Crochet
Like any entrepreneur, Gifty sometimes experienced burnout. In one of those seasons, she turned to crocheting for her mental health.
One evening, she realized her laptop didn’t have a protective case. So, she crocheted one. That DIY project birthed Moon Crochet, a handcrafted brand that now creates and sells unique laptop sleeves and accessories online.
“Again, I positioned myself like a pro online. In less than a week, people started buying. I kept improving, investing in better yarns, learning more — and here we are.”
Gifty’s Philosophy: Confidence Before Mastery
Gifty believes entrepreneurship is less about having everything figured out, and more about being brave enough to begin.
“I never wait to be fully ready. I just put my head in the water and figure out how to swim. That’s how I survive — and eventually thrive. Especially in this digital world where the client is often miles away, that distance gives you time to learn and rise to the occasion.”
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?
“Spot a gap and fill it — with confidence. You don’t need all the answers. Just the courage to start.”
Final Thoughts
Gifty Commey’s story is a radically creative blueprint for entrepreneurship in a world where traditional paths don’t always fit. Whether it’s a guitar, a camera, or a crochet needle, she turns whatever’s in her hands into something beautiful and marketable.
Her story is a reminder that you don’t need permission, perfect timing, or even a detailed plan to start building your dream. Sometimes, all you need is a problem, an idea, and the willingness to say, “I can figure this out.”
