Fiji’s emerging upcycling entrepreneur, Tikosaya Ledua, is determined to establish the country’s first upcycling hub, and potentially the first in the region. Ledua recently earned the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the 2023 FDB National SME Awards held in Suva, highlighting her business’s growth.
As the founder and principal artist of Ledua’s Arts Collection, she specializes in creating art and household items from recycled materials. Following her recent achievement, Ledua expressed her ambition to further develop her initiatives, specifically targeting women’s participation and education in upcycling.
She credits their success to divine guidance, MSME training and workshops, the unique presentation of her company, and consistent efforts in both production and digital marketing. She also acknowledges the support of her husband, whose skills bring her artistic visions to reality.
“There is a huge market for upcycling that remains untapped. This presents a significant advantage for us as we delve into upcycling and similar economies. There is much work ahead,” Ledua stated.
Ledua highlighted a collaboration with the Ministry of Women to connect government programs with community projects for rural women. Her commitment to supporting other MSMEs has also led her to join the Fiji Enterprise Engine, an accelerator program designed to enhance business knowledge. She encouraged women and women-led businesses to overcome obstacles on their entrepreneurial journey.
“If you’re not struggling while hustling, you’re not hustling correctly. Facing challenges is part of the journey, and persistence is key,” she advised. “As long as you are passionate about what you do, keep pursuing it and aim to make a positive impact in your community.”