Tiko Ledua is advancing her innovative upcycling venture, Ledua’s Art Collection. With 15 years of experience in painting and decorating, she merges her skills and passion for sustainability to transform waste into functional and artistic items.
Ms. Ledua has successfully established her business from scratch, also taking the initiative to design and develop her website to display her distinctive creations.
In balancing her roles, she describes her day-to-day life as a combination of motherhood and managing her home-based business. “Being a mother comes first,” she explains, noting that her days are filled with activities, from caring for her toddler to creating her next artistic piece. “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering,” she adds.
Her artistic journey began well before her formal education in painting and decorating, which started in 2009. She has always been captivated by colors and how they influence everyday life, a passion that evolved from coordinating outfits in her youth to mastering color schemes in her professional life.
The concept of upcycling in her art was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Raiwaqa, she and her husband began collecting discarded materials found along roadsides. “We began our new journey of upcycling from literally picking whatever waste we could find, like old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” Ms. Ledua recounts. They transformed these materials into art and household items.
Starting a business from her skills proved to be quite challenging for Ms. Ledua. “It was never easy, and it still isn’t!” she admits, emphasizing the importance of networking in business. Despite experiencing skepticism over her use of waste as raw materials, her determination and enthusiasm have propelled her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has big plans for her business. “We are working and planning on opening an upcycling centre where we provide a platform for women upcyclers,” she reveals. This center aims to empower women, serve as a showroom, and create a safe environment for artistic creation. Her vision is to foster a supportive community that encourages women’s growth while making a positive environmental impact.
Recently, Ms. Ledua conducted a successful workshop as part of the Outbound Fellows programme sponsored by the Department of State through the East West Centre. This workshop focused on identifying potential trainers in Fiji’s western and northern regions, and she proudly noted that six potential trainers were selected.
To enhance her business, Ms. Ledua recognized the importance of establishing a reliable income stream and effectively communicating her mission to customers. This realization led her to participate in a website-building workshop sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji, which she found to be very effective. The resulting website plays a vital role in her business operations.
Ms. Ledua encourages everyone to learn about repurposing household waste. “Learn to educate yourselves in how to repurpose household waste in reducing and minimising waste from ending up in the landfill,” she advises. “There’s so much to do, Fiji!” Her story exemplifies how creativity, determination, and resourcefulness can transform seemingly useless materials into something valuable and beautiful. Ms. Ledua’s journey serves as an inspiration, illustrating that with a bit of creativity, we can all help create a more sustainable world.