Tikosaya Ledua, an award-winning emerging entrepreneur from Fiji, is determined to establish the country’s first upcycling hub, which could also be the first in the region. Ledua recently won the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the 2023 FDB National SME Awards held in Suva, reflecting significant growth in her business.
As the founder and principal artist of Ledua’s Arts Collection, she focuses on creating art and household items from recycled materials. Ledua views her recent recognition as an opportunity for further development, especially with plans to create an upcycling hub that emphasizes women’s involvement and education in this field.
She credits her success to divine support, participation in MSME training and workshops, and the unique presentation of her brand, as well as the contributions of her husband, who transforms her creative ideas into reality. “There’s a vast untapped market for upcycling, which presents us with a great advantage as we explore this economy,” Ledua stated.
Ledua also highlighted the collaboration with the Ministry of Women to bridge the gap between government programs and community initiatives aimed at empowering rural women. Her commitment to supporting other MSMEs has led her to join the Fiji Enterprise Engine in Suva, an accelerator program designed to enhance business knowledge and growth.
She encourages women and women-led businesses to overcome obstacles and not allow anything to hinder their dreams. “If you’re not struggling while hustling, you’re not hustling right. Embrace the challenges, keep pushing forward, and follow your passion to positively impact your community,” she advised.