Meet Georgina Ogirri

We recently connected with Georgina Ogirri and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Georgina, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

Honestly, my work ethic comes straight from the women who raised me, my mother Griselina and my aunt Georgina, who has always been like a second mom to me. They are the blueprint for everything I am.

My mom was widowed twice and had seven kids to care for. Slowing down was never an option. She worked multiple jobs, from long shifts to working weeks on end, and never once let us see her break. My aunt Georgina, who could not have children of her own, stepped in without hesitation and helped raise us like we were hers. Together, they managed the household and carried our entire family with strength, love, and an unmatched sense of responsibility.

What I saw growing up was not just hard work; it was discipline, commitment, and pride in doing things well. They were up before the sun, worked long hours, and still made sure we had a home cooked meal every night. They picked us up from school, showed up to every recital, every game, every moment. Even when money was tight or life felt heavy, they never let us feel it. They carried themselves with grace and kept going, no matter what.

I was raised by two Dominican women who loved hard, worked harder, and never gave up. They set the standard. Watching them taught me that real work ethic is not just about how much you do, but it’s about how you do it. It’s about showing up every single day with purpose, with care, and with consistency. No shortcuts. No excuses.

That foundation is in everything I do. It’s how I lead GRISÉ NYC. It’s how I move through the world. Every late night, every early morning, and every decision I make is fueled by the example they set. I don’t do anything halfway because they never did.

Their legacy lives in me. In my passion, in my drive, and in the way I pour love and care into everything I build. I am who I am because of them, and every step I take is a continuation of their story.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Georgina Ogirri, and I’m the founder of GRISÉ NYC, a jewelry brand I started in memory of my mother, Griselina, who passed away from liver cancer in 2015. She was bold, stylish, full of heart, and always wore jewelry as a form of self-expression. GRISÉ (pronounced gree say) is a tribute to her spirit and a celebration of individuality, culture, and everyday confidence.

I’m Dominican and Nigerian, and I graduated from Parsons School of Design with a BBA in Strategic Design and Management, a program that helped shape how I approach creativity, branding, and business with intention.

I launched GRISÉ on January 20, 2023, the anniversary of my mother’s passing, while still working a demanding nine to five at a production company. It was intense, juggling over 50 hours a week and building a business on the side, but something in me knew I had to start. That date held too much meaning not to turn it into something powerful.

GRISÉ really took shape through pop-up events across NYC and New Jersey. I spent that first year vending everywhere, learning my audience face to face, testing designs, and getting my name out there one pop-up at a time. Then in 2024, I was laid off. It was scary, but also the clearest sign that it was time to go all in. And I haven’t looked back since.

What makes GRISÉ special is the intention behind every detail. I design affordable pieces that are statement making yet wearable, elevated yet unpretentious. Every collection is inspired by the jewelry my mom used to wear; bold vintage hoops, layered pearl chains, and unique standout rings, reimagined through my modern streetwear lens and personal style. It’s where tradition meets edge.

All of my jewelry is crafted from high quality 18k gold plating and stainless steel. It’s tarnish free, waterproof, and made for real life. Whether you’re a minimalist, a maximalist, or somewhere in between, GRISÉ is for you. The pieces are unisex, inclusive, and designed to empower whoever puts them on.

Today, GRISÉ NYC is worn by everyday trendsetters and icons alike, featured on red carpets, concert stages, and growing steadily nationwide. What started as a personal tribute has grown into a movement built on passion, persistence, and purpose.

There’s so much more on the horizon: new collections, exclusive drops, and more in-person events, including pop-ups in new cities. I’m also expanding how we show up digitally, with fresh content, deeper storytelling, and more ways for our community to connect with the brand.

At its core, GRISÉ is about honoring legacy while creating something new. It’s about showing up fully, taking risks, and leading with style and soul. I’m grateful to share that with the world and thankful to everyone who’s been part of the journey so far.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been (1) resilience, (2) self-trust, and (3) adaptability.

(1) Resilience has shown up in so many ways, especially in how I’ve navigated loss. Losing my mother in 2015 was the most painful moment of my life. But instead of letting grief consume me, I channeled it into something meaningful. GRISÉ was born from that pain and transformed into purpose. That same resilience has carried me through every tough hurdle since, from working over 50 hours a week while launching the brand, to being laid off and choosing to bet on myself fully. Being an entrepreneur is not easy, and things rarely go exactly as planned, but if you can keep showing up even when it’s hard, you’re already winning.

My advice: build resilience by staying connected to your why. When you’re rooted in something real, you’ll always find a reason to keep going.

(2) Self-trust is huge, especially when you’re doing something different or putting yourself out there creatively. There were so many moments where I had to move without having it all figured out, launching a collection, booking a pop-up, or simply saying yes before I was fully ready.

My advice: Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start where you are, trust your instincts, and believe in yourself, even when no one else sees the vision yet.

(3) Adaptability has been essential to my growth. I had to learn everything from scratch: how to vend at pop-ups, connect with customers, and understand my audience so I could shift my approach based on real-time feedback. The faster I observe, pivot, and grow from the moment I’m in, the stronger I become.

My advice: stay flexible but rooted. Hold your vision close, but let the process stretch you. Being adaptable doesn’t mean changing your values, it means being open to new ways of delivering them. Treat everything like a lesson, not a loss.

This journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself, invest in your growth, and don’t be afraid to take up space, your story matters.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

One of the most impactful things my mother ever did for me was support my decision to study abroad during my junior year of college. In 2013, I was offered an academic scholarship to attend Regent’s School of Business in Central London. Tuition was covered, but I was overwhelmed thinking about how my mom would manage the cost of housing, food, and travel. I called her right before the winter semester ended, unsure if I should go and afraid of putting financial pressure on her.

I’ll never forget what she told me: “I want you to live this experience. This only happens once in your life.” Her words didn’t just comfort me, they shifted everything. In that moment, she gave me the courage to dream beyond my circumstances and choose possibility over fear.

Around the same time, my oldest sister Queenie shared that one of her biggest regrets during her time at Carnegie Mellon was not studying abroad. That stayed with me. But ultimately, it was my mom’s unwavering belief, her conviction, her sacrifice, and her unconditional love that sealed the decision for me.

She and my aunt Georgina came together without hesitation. They worked extra hours and did whatever it took to make it possible for me to live and study in London. It wasn’t just financial support, it was a powerful act of love and faith in my future. I carry that with me every day.

Studying abroad became one of the most transformative experiences of my life. It pushed me far outside my comfort zone, forced me to grow, and taught me how to navigate a new world on my own. It was the first time I truly saw how big the world was, and it taught me that there is power in saying yes to yourself, even when it’s uncomfortable. That experience expanded my perspective and planted a deep desire in me to explore, create, and inspire others to do the same.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo credits:
Images 1 – 3: Photographer – Imani Hamilton
Image 3.a: Photographer – Imani Hamilton
Image 4: Simi Moonlight (ig: @simimoonlight)
Image 5: Doechii shot by David Jaelin (ig: @davidjaelin)
Image 6: shot by Doug Segars
Image 7: Actress Jordan Alexander styled by Anthony Pedraza for Schon Magazine, shot by Sage East
Image 8: Sneaker Art by Georgina Ogirri featuring my jewelry GRISÉ NYC
Image 9 – Mom & Aunt Georgina and I on my graduation day Parsons 5/22/14
Image 10 – My mom

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