Tiko Ledua is making strides with her innovative upcycling business, Ledua’s Art Collection. With 15 years of experience in painting and decorating, Ms. Ledua combines her expertise with a commitment to sustainability, transforming waste into creative and functional pieces.
She has built her business from the ground up, including designing her website to showcase her distinctive products.
A typical day for Ms. Ledua balances her roles as a mother and a business owner. “Being a mother comes first,” she explains, as her daily routine involves caring for her toddler while also working on her next artistic creation. “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering,” she adds.
Her artistic journey started long before her professional training. “Before studying painting and decorating in 2009, I was always fascinated by the wonders of colors and their effect on our everyday life,” she recalls. This interest evolved from coordinating outfits as a child to mastering color theory in her professional endeavors.
The concept of upcycling emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic when Ms. Ledua and her husband began collecting discarded materials from their neighborhood in Raiwaqa. “We began our new journey of upcycling from literally picking whatever waste we could find, like old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” she states. “From here, we started creating art and housewares using waste as our raw materials.”
Transforming her skills into a business has been a challenging journey. “It was never easy, and it still isn’t!” she admits. Ms. Ledua strongly believes in the significance of networking, stating, “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business.” Despite facing skepticism for using discarded materials, her dedication and passion have propelled her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious plans for her business. “We are working and planning on opening an upcycling center where we provide a platform for women upcyclers,” she shares. This center will empower women, serve as a showroom, and provide a safe space for artistic creation. Her goal is to foster a supportive community where women can flourish and positively influence the environment.
Recently, she hosted a successful workshop as part of an Outbound Fellows program sponsored by the Department of State through the East West Centre, aimed at identifying potential trainers in Fiji’s western and northern regions. “We were able to identify six potential trainers,” Ms. Ledua expresses proudly.
To further develop 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 funded by Business Assistance Fiji, which proved to be a productive experience. Her website has become an essential tool in her business operations.
Ms. Ledua encourages individuals to educate themselves on repurposing household waste. “Learn to educate yourselves in how to repurpose household wastes in reducing and minimizing waste from ending up in the landfill,” she advises. “There’s so much to do, Fiji!” Her journey illustrates how creativity, passion, and perseverance can transform unlikely materials into something beautiful and useful, inspiring everyone to contribute to a more sustainable future.