Tiko Ledua is on the rise with her innovative upcycling venture, Ledua’s Art Collection. With 15 years of experience in painting and decorating, Ms. Ledua has merged her skills with a commitment to sustainability, turning waste into creative and functional artworks.
She has built her business from scratch, including designing her own website to showcase her distinctive products. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, Ms. Ledua describes her busy life, saying, “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering.”
Her artistic journey began long before her formal training in painting and decorating in 2009. Ms. Ledua has always been captivated by colors and their impact on daily life, evolving from a child who matched outfits to a professional skilled in color coordination.
The concept of upcycling materialized for Ms. Ledua during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residing in Raiwaqa, she and her husband, with a background in construction and joinery, began collecting discarded materials from the roadside. “We began our new journey of upcycling by picking whatever waste we could find, like old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” she explained. This initiative allowed them to create art and household items from these salvaged materials.
Transforming her artistic skills into a business presented challenges. “It was never easy and it still isn’t!” Ms. Ledua mentioned, emphasizing the importance of networking with the belief that “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business.” Despite facing skepticism for utilizing waste materials, her determination has propelled her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious plans for her enterprise. “We are working and planning on opening an upcycling centre where we provide a platform for women upcyclers,” she shared. This centre will empower women, showcase their work, and provide a supportive environment for creativity.
Recently, Ms. Ledua hosted a successful workshop as part of an Outbound Fellows programme sponsored by the Department of State through the East West Centre, identifying potential trainers in Fiji’s western and northern regions. “We were able to identify six potential trainers,” she proudly stated.
To enhance her business, Ms. Ledua recognized the necessity for a reliable revenue-generating process and effective communication of her mission to customers. Attending a website-building workshop sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji proved beneficial, allowing her to establish a website essential for her operations. She found the experience productive and efficient.
Ms. Ledua advocates for educating individuals on repurposing household waste, urging, “Learn to educate yourselves in how to repurpose household wastes in reducing and minimising waste from ending up in the landfill.” Her journey exemplifies how creativity, passion, and resilience can transform seemingly useless materials into beautiful and practical items, inspiring others to contribute to a more sustainable future.