Tiko Ledua is making strides with her innovative upcycling venture, Ledua’s Art Collection. With 15 years of experience in painting and decorating, she has leveraged her skills and passion for sustainability to create a business that repurposes waste into artistic and functional pieces.
Ms. Ledua has taken the initiative to build her business from scratch, even designing and developing her own website to feature her distinctive creations. Balancing her family life and her home-based business, she emphasizes that being a mother is her top priority. Her daily routine is filled with the responsibilities of caring for her toddler while also dedicating time to craft her next artistic project. “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering,” she reflects.
Her artistic journey commenced long before she pursued formal studies. “Before studying painting and decorating in 2009, I was always fascinated by the wonders of colors and their effect on our everyday life,” she shared. This enthusiasm grew from her childhood experiences of coordinating outfit colors to her professional mastery of color application.
The concept of integrating upcycling into her artwork emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in Raiwaqa, she and her husband began to collect discarded materials from the roadside, such as old tires, baby cots, and cardboard. “We began our new journey of upcycling from literally picking whatever waste we could find,” Ms. Ledua said, explaining how they transformed waste into art and household items.
Turning her artistic skills into a viable business was no small task. “It was never easy and it still isn’t!” she admits. She strongly believes in the importance of networking, stating, “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business.” Despite experiencing skepticism and mockery for her unconventional materials, her commitment and drive have propelled her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious plans for her business, aiming to establish an upcycling center that would empower women upcyclers. This center is envisioned as a supportive environment, providing a space for creativity and showcasing art while fostering community connection.
Recently, she successfully organized a workshop as part of an Outbound Fellows program sponsored by the Department of State through the East West Centre, designed to identify potential trainers in Fiji’s western and northern regions. “We were able to identify six potential trainers,” she expressed proudly.
To enhance her business growth, Ms. Ledua recognized the necessity of a sustainable revenue model and effective communication of her mission to customers. She participated in a website-building workshop sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji, which proved to be productive and has now become a vital tool in her business operations.
Encouraging others to embrace upcycling, Ms. Ledua advises, “Learn to educate yourselves in how to repurpose household wastes in reducing and minimizing waste from ending up in the landfill.” With so much potential for change, she emphasizes that Fiji has vast opportunities in this area.
Tiko Ledua exemplifies how creativity, passion, and determination can transform unlikely materials into beautiful and practical items. Her journey serves as an inspiration, highlighting how each of us can contribute to a more sustainable future with a bit of imagination.