Tiko Ledua is advancing her innovative upcycling venture, Ledua’s Art Collection. With 15 years of experience in painting and decorating, Ms. Ledua combines her expertise and passion for sustainability to create unique products from waste materials. She has developed her business from the ground up and personally designed her website to display her distinctive offerings.
Ms. Ledua balances her life as a mother with managing her home-based business. Her days are filled with activities, from caring for her toddler to creating her next artistic masterpiece. “My day is always busy; either I am working or I am mothering,” she remarked.
Her artistic journey began long before her formal education in 2009, stemming from a childhood fascination with colors and their impact on daily life. This passion evolved from coordinating outfits in her youth to mastering color theory in her professional endeavors.
The concept of upcycling materialized for Ms. Ledua during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in Raiwaqa, she and her husband began collecting discarded materials from the roadside, including old tires, baby cots, and cardboard. “We started creating art and housewares using waste as our raw materials,” she explained.
Transforming her skills into a successful business was not without its challenges. Ms. Ledua emphasizes the importance of networking, stating, “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business.” Despite initial skepticism regarding her use of waste materials, her determination and passion have fueled her progress.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious plans for her enterprise. She aims to establish an upcycling center that will empower women and provide a creative space for them to thrive and make a positive environmental impact.
Recently, Ms. Ledua hosted a successful workshop as part of an Outbound Fellows program sponsored by the Department of State through the East West Centre, which helped identify six potential trainers in Fiji’s western and northern regions.
In her pursuit to expand her business, Ms. Ledua recognized the need for a steady revenue stream and an effective way to communicate her mission. She attended a website-building workshop through Business Assistance Fiji, which proved to be a productive experience. The new website is now a vital component of her business operations.
Ms. Ledua encourages everyone to educate themselves on repurposing household waste to minimize landfills. “There’s so much to do, Fiji!” she inspires. Her journey exemplifies how creativity, passion, and determination can transform unlikely materials into beautiful and functional items, serving as an inspiration for others to contribute to a more sustainable world.