Segment: I Don't Have Option B - Backup Plans Weaken Your Main Vision

Summary

Podcast Summary: “I Don’t Have Option B – Backup Plans Weaken Your Main Vision”

Konnected Minds Podcast with Derrick Abaitey
Episode Date: August 4, 2026
Segment: I Don’t Have Option B – Backup Plans Weaken Your Main Vision
Guest: Sami Ajay Gigman
Host: Konnected House (Derrick Abaitey)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Konnected Minds Podcast delves deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Sami Ajay Gigman, a dynamic young Ghanaian medical supply entrepreneur, who credits his success to having “no option B.” The conversation unpacks how rejecting backup plans can sharpen one’s drive, the value of integrity in business, and how adversity—particularly the COVID-19 pandemic—can become a launchpad for radical growth. Sami candidly shares the experiences that shaped his mindset, from humble beginnings in trading at age 12 to spearheading a key medical supply business amid crisis.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Dangers of Backup Plans

• Clarity of Purpose and Commitment
  • Sami stresses his belief that having a “backup plan” can dilute dedication:

    “Me, I don’t have option B. I believe anytime you have an option B, the option A is not that sharp.” – Sami Ajay Gigman (01:24)

  • He emphasizes that commitment to a single vision forced him to innovate and persevere:
    • “At worst, hey, you give me underwear, I will sell it.” (01:25)

Early Entrepreneurial Influences

• Family Roots and Influence
  • Sami’s entrepreneurial spirit was instilled early through his mother, a trader, who normalized commerce in daily life:

    “My mother was a trader. So I mean, you shouldn’t be surprised…if you don’t sell, you’re not part of the family.” – Sami Ajay Gigman (03:21)

  • First business experience:
    • Began selling pen drives and snacks to classmates and teachers at age 12 (03:25–04:00)
    • Leveraged family contacts and a housemate’s IT connections to access goods.

Relentless Hustle and Resourcefulness

• Starting Small, Thinking Big
  • Found opportunity by addressing unmet needs among peers:
    • Realized students struggled to access essential clinical and school supplies (05:30–06:00)
    • Expanded from pen drives to supplying medical items like pen torches and stethoscopes.
  • Used borrowed money creatively:
    • Negotiated with a lecturer to use school fee funds as initial business capital, despite penalties (07:00–08:00).

Integrity & Building Trust

• Honesty as Capital
  • Maintained trust with peers by being transparent about using their money, managing funds responsibly:

    “One thing I’ve always believed in is honesty and credibility and trustworthiness or trustworthiness. That is one fool we all need to start businesses.” – Sami Ajay Gigman (08:45)

The COVID-19 Turning Point

• Leveraging Crisis for Growth
  • While COVID-19 devastated many, Sami saw opportunity in the increased demand for medical supplies:
    • Used deferred school fees from classmates to purchase nose masks for export (09:00–10:10)
    • Despite an export setback, adapted and capitalized on skyrocketing local demand:

      “No smarts’ price rose to 90 cedis… I feared that it can drop down. We had not seen a surge in prices like that before anyway. So at 90 cedis I sold everything.” (11:20–12:00)

  • Reinvested profits into new products (thermometers), leveraging contacts to reach new markets (12:10).

Navigating Relationships in Business

• Handling Family and Friend Dynamics
  • Sami doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations or decisions with relatives:

    “If I have sacked my brother from my company before… at a point, my sister, one biological sister didn’t talk to me for about three or four years and I didn’t care.” (01:48)

  • Advocates honest communication, even if it risks personal relationships.

Leadership Mindset & Message to Peers

• Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
  • Understanding the systems behind making money, especially in Ghana, is crucial.
  • The episode serves as a call to action for young African entrepreneurs to get in the “room where it happens”—to network, seek knowledge, and commit fully.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On committing to your vision:

  “I didn’t even do national service. It’s when my company became big—that’s when I decided to do my service. In my company.”
  — Sami Ajay Gigman (01:28)

• On honesty as business currency:

  “They trusted me, gave me the money. They knew I was not going to spend the money. I kept it with me.” (08:45)

• On handling failure and risk:

  “I don’t fear risk… I just called them back and told them: these are the challenges I am facing now... I sold everything.” (10:50, 11:20)

• On resilience during COVID pandemic:

  “I was only praying for the lockdown to be extended and extended… my heart would be beeping because I don’t know what else is coming.” (10:00)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:24-01:28: “No Option B” philosophy that set the tone for the episode.
• 03:20–04:00: Childhood hustle & early business instincts.
• 05:30–06:00: Identifying a core market need in his community.
• 07:00–08:00: Creative use of borrowed funds for business growth.
• 08:45: The integrity principle in managing others’ money.
• 09:00–10:50: The COVID-19 pivot—turning a crisis into an opportunity.
• 11:20–12:00: Quick decision-making in selling stock at peak prices.
• 01:48: Handling difficult family dynamics in business.

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Conclusion

This episode of Konnected Minds is a masterclass in single-minded focus, resourcefulness, and ethical entrepreneurship. Sami Ajay Gigman’s journey shows that with grit, trust, and a refusal to fall back, adversity can be transformed into advantage. His story is both cautionary and inspirational, especially for Africa’s next generation of innovators and leaders.

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Listen to more inspiring episodes or engage with Konnected Minds:

• YouTube: Konnected Minds
• Instagram: @konnectedminds
• TikTok: @konnectedminds

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Transcript

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[Sami Ajay Gigman]

After senior high school, I taught in Kaswa and I also sold laptops. I went to train as a phishing assistant. So I was trying to do something to keep me going in the school. Trying to buy food, fees, other things until I think the COVID came in. So the COVID that turned everything around. The COVID was the breakthrough. You want to hear that part?

[Commercial Narrator]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer]

The COVID messed up a lot of people's businesses. How do they help you fellow Ghanaians?

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

There was a lockdown. See, they told us to go to our various homes. All universities will be closed Monday 16th of March. Some of my mates gave media fees that they don't want to go and spend them their parents had given to them.

[Interviewer]

How are you able to prove to people that you're not going to jackpot with the money? So you started a business while you were in school?

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

Yeah, finished.

[Interviewer]

And you are still working in that business?

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

I'm sorry, you are not looking for a job?

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

Me, I don't have option B. I believe anytime you have an option B, the option A is not that sharp. I had made up my mind that at west, hey, you give me underwear, I will sell it. So I didn't even do national service. So it's when my company became big. That is when I decided to do my service. In my company,

[Interviewer]

it can be very difficult to work with friends. How have you been able to do it?

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

Me, I talk my mind. A lot of people are not able to tell their mind in the face of their families and friends. They fear that gray area that there will be some issue at home. Me, I want that issue to come. If I have sacked my brother from my company before. So my sister, at a point, my sister, one biological sister didn't talk to me for about three or four years and I didn't care.

[Interviewer]

If you want to make money, understand how money works. The systems behind making money in Ghana, this is the conversation for you. Not even 30 years yet, but he has built what many people will be proud of. The knowledge he has, the experience he has, is going to change the course of your life. On the 9th of September, we are going to Kumasi Knust, Great hall for connected minds. Live the day where all the aspiring entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs, decision makers come together under one roof. You want to be in that room, the room that can change the course of your life. You can find your business partner there. You can create business conversations there and start a business simply by showing up. Sami Ajay Gigman Medicals. The medical landlord is in the studio today. Sammy, how are you doing?

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

I'm good, I'm doing well. Yeah man.

[Interviewer]

You have an amazing story.

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

And I think if, if all of it doesn't come out, we'll do a part two. But I want everybody to really get to understand what you have built, how you built it.

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

Talk to me. When I had my first business, I was very small, like very young. I was a little boy, let me say around 12 years. My mother was a trader. So I mean you shouldn't be surprised. You, you'll be brought up in the trading way. You, they will psych you that if you don't sell, I mean you have. It's like you're not part of the family. So at primary school I used to sell pen drives. If I used to go out to go and buy subalu and granut for my meat and collect money, I'll go and buy from the vendors. I'll add margins to it, come and sell to some of my friends. One of them, Philippa, she's married somewhere. Do you remember this story? I'll go and buy, come and sell to them and get some ideas. So it's something I was introduced you very early. Then along the line I started selling. I think pen drives were coming on, but I started selling pen drives and SD card to some of our tutors. Those times if you print exam papers, your exam questions, the master has to type them, edit them, put them on a pen drive. Then you go and submit at the school secretary and they print it for you. So I was provide them with that pen drive.

[Interviewer]

Where did you get a pen drive from?

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

Oh, I was then from one national service. In fact for a very long time. I don't even know where he is. His name is Ato. He was a national service person living with us and he was in it. So he used to get those kind of things and he gives to me. I go and sell and bring his money to him, keep my margins, that kind of things.

[Interviewer]

So what's the main activities of the Business. What do you do?

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

When I started a gig man, it was just gig man supplies and more like anything at all. I was just trying to sell literally everything. My inspiration is for my mentor, Captain retired Prince Kofi Abu Abe. When he started his business in the 90s at Kantamanto he sold air conditioners, he sold fridges, he imported almost everything. He sold some until he found his feet in something to do. One of my mentors, Dr. Kabunaji It when he started he saw so many important, so many things to sell until later on he found his feet. And that time is also a learning care for you to learn about something. So I was also selling laptop because proud that I had taught after senior high school I taught him Caswa and I also sued laptops before. So what happened was I at school I was still selling the pen drives and the laptops and other things. I went to train as a phishing assistant. That is what I learned at school. So I was trying to do something to keep me going in the school, trying to find something so I could just work with. I mean trying to buy food fees, other thing I had to manage. It's not until I. I mean I found that our mates were struggling to get clinical items. Pen torch, stethoscope, thermometer, other thing I said ah, so we go all the way to Accra to go and get this, then let me start selling some to them. So that is where starting medicals came in. We had to pick from other supplies Accra other places and then we supply to them. I didn't have big capital, you know, I just started small, I didn't have big capital. So I talked to one, I mean she's one of the most amazing people I've met. One of my lecturers, her name is Madame Becky. I talked to her and the husband that this is what I've started and I want to do and I needed some money, they couldn't really get me. She said oh, she has bought fuel and it's like with this balance. So if I was going to take that balance because you know she was trying to place you. So whatever money she gives me, he goes and doesn't come back. That relationship she has with me doesn't end on rocks. So she gave me that money and then I thought what was the reason for taking the money. I told her that I needed money to pay my school fees to help me pay. So I think that time it was 2000 ganacity she gave me. So I went to the that I was principal deputy Principal Academist, I told him that I'm supposed to pay my fees. This your staff madam has given me some money to use to pay this fees. But even if I use this 2000 gallons to pay the fees, I'll still owe you it's own work. So instead of that, please allow me to use the money to invest in the small business I have started. So that by the end of the three months we will be in school, I would have gotten the fish. And he said that if I'm going to do that I'm going that tangent then it will attract some penalty. Penalty of how much? 100 city. And I say in my head, so because of that 100 city penalty I should give them all the money to you right now, then I'll pay. So it became. It became intentional. Even after that particular semester I was still paying it just to be able to use the funds I have as. As capital and trading with them. So I was. I started something small with it until I think the COVID came in. So the COVID that turned everything around. The COVID was the breakthrough. You want to hear that part?

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. How is that? The COVID messed up a lot of people's businesses. How did they help you during the

[Sami Ajay Gigman]

COVID I think there was a lockdown. So they told us to go to our various homes. The students they were to vacate the hostels and other things. I wasn't living in the hostel. I was living in a normal household with other tenants that because I could not afford a hostel that time I was living with and closer to my madame so I could go and eat. Their family is there. I mean they fed me the whole five years I stayed. I wasn't buying food. I wanted to be closer to them. Some of my mates gave media fees that they don't want to go and spend them their parents had given to them. So when school we get back to normal and school resumes then I pay for them and help them with the registration before they come as a no problem. So I get the money because one thing I've always believed in is honesty and credibility and trustworthiness or trustworthiness. That is one fool we all need to start businesses. So they trusted me, gave me the money. They knew I was not going to spend the money. I kept it with me. It's when I got a contract from a friend. He was a doctor training in China. When the COVID came, Chinese people were on lockdown already. There's something they call Chinese New Year and all factories closed. Down Apart from just few essential services, all factories it's compulsory. They have sold nose masks and other things to the rest of the the world such that when the COVID came to their end they were struggling to get newsmas. So at a point those who remember will remember at the point they were exporting those masks especially the Ghanaians living in China they were buying those masks from other places that already they had already exported some of the nosemas there they were sending back to China. So this my friend called me that I should get funds and buy new smarts and export to China for him. And I asked permission for my friends. They are still with me. One of them even, I mean it's one of my investors now my meat that I use is fees. What about some are doing well now I told them this is what I've gotten an offer, let's do it and share the process. They accepted it. So I sent one of them to and then there's a market in somewhere in Accra, not so popular. He went to get some, one of them went to a doom to also get some. And we added everything about 200 or so boxes of the nose mask that time was 16 cd pair box of nose mask. And we are trying to send it export it back. I didn't have an export license so the regulator didn't allow me to export the newsmas outside. And I called my friend this is what had happened so but because you made me buy it, the export wasn't part of the contract to means you have to pay for your cost, right? Very good. The nose mask he said no since I couldn't export the nose mask to me it's not going to pay the cost. Are you lean? It's people squeefy. I mean what trouble have I found myself But I mean I don't feel risk. So I just called them back and told them this is a challenge my friends. These are the challenges I am facing. Now you all know the newsmas I haven't, I mean sent it anywhere. In fact it's one or even the the guys that I use his face one of them that tried exporting for me in Accra. So we found a place somewhere in East Lagoon and kept the nose mask. One week passed, two weeks I was praying, I was just praying that. That we will resume school and I don't have the fees. I was only praying for the lockdown to be extended and extended, extended. I mean so I was happy anytime. And they are doing. They call it a state of the nation address. My heart will be beeping because I don't know what else is coming. Then after about 3 weeks to 1 month no smarts price rose to 90 cities it went to 20, 25. I don't know if you remember that story. No smarts it even crossed I. It even looked like I sold my early because after when I saw that 90 CD after a record it was still going up but I feared that it can drop down. We had not seen a surge in prices like that before anyway so I feared that if I had not sold the newsman I could run out losses. So at 90 CD I sold everything. So that became there because I shared some to my friends other things. Then my next move I went to buy Gante movies I think thousand pieces 4, 130 Ghana city that time you see the francophone countries even before COVID they were using nose mask they were using sophisticated machine like G thermometers. For us, we're not used to that unless you travel outside Ghana we're using the amp we call auxiliary thermometers and the ear thermometers other things not the forehead, non contact ones. So they had done the lockdown to go border close. But I think the Ivorian border was slow. They didn't close it early. So I had a friend who is still with me now, he's still my friend that I'm. I'm investing some of the business who led me to someone that gave us gantemometers thousand pieces of gun thermometers. We did that. I mean duty, payment, other things and we brought it in.

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