Tiko Ledua is making strides with her innovative upcycling business, Ledua’s Art Collection. With a background in painting and decorating that spans 15 years, Ms. Ledua has merged her skills with her commitment to sustainability, creating a unique venture that transforms waste into functional and artistic pieces.
Ms. Ledua has not only built her business from the ground up but has also designed her own website to display her distinctive products.
As a mother, Ms. Ledua balances her responsibilities between raising her toddler and running her home-based business. “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering,” she explained.
Her artistic journey began long before her 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 reminisced. This early passion led her to excel in color coordination both in her personal and professional life.
The concept of upcycling took root during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in Raiwaqa, Ms. Ledua and her husband, who has experience in building and joinery, started collecting discarded materials from the roadside. “We began our new journey by picking whatever waste we could find, like old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” she said. This initiative led them to create art and homewares from these salvaged materials.
Establishing her business was not without challenges. Ms. Ledua remarked, “It was never easy and it still isn’t!” She emphasizes the importance of networking in business, stating, “Network is your Net Worth.” Despite facing skepticism for using waste as raw materials, her determination and passion continue to propel her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious plans, including the establishment of an upcycling center aimed at supporting women in the community. “We are working and planning on opening an upcycling centre where we provide a platform for women upcyclers,” she shared. This center will empower women, serve as a showroom, and provide a supportive environment for artistic creation.
Recently, Ms. Ledua hosted a successful workshop through an Outbound Fellows program supported by the Department of State in collaboration with the East West Centre. This workshop aimed to identify potential trainers in Fiji’s western and northern regions, a goal they achieved by pinpointing six potential trainers.
To grow her business, Ms. Ledua recognized the necessity for a consistent revenue model and an effective way to communicate her mission. This led her to participate in a website building workshop sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji. She noted that the workshop was both productive and efficient, and the resulting website has become a vital asset for her business operations.
Ms. Ledua encourages others to learn about repurposing household waste. “Educate yourselves on how to repurpose household wastes to reduce and minimize waste from ending up in the landfill,” she urged. She believes there is still much work to be done towards sustainability in Fiji.
Ms. Ledua exemplifies how creativity, passion, and resilience can turn discarded materials into valuable and beautiful creations, inspiring others to contribute to a more sustainable future.