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 has merged her artistic skills with her commitment to sustainability, creating a business that transforms waste into creative and functional art pieces.
Not only has she established her business from scratch, but she has also designed her website to highlight her unique offerings.
“Being a mother comes first,” Ms. Ledua emphasized. Her days consist of balancing motherhood with managing her home-based enterprise. From caring for her toddler to crafting her next creation, her schedule is packed with activities. “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering,” she remarked.
Ms. Ledua’s artistic journey began well before her formal studies. “Before studying painting and decorating in 2009, I was always fascinated by the wonders of colors and their effects on our everyday life,” she recalled. This passion led her from coordinating outfits as a child to perfecting color schemes in her professional work.
The concept of integrating upcycling into her art emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in Raiwaqa, she and her husband, who has experience in construction and joinery, began collecting discarded materials from the roadside. “We started our journey of upcycling by picking up waste such as old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” Ms. Ledua explained. “From there, we began creating art and housewares using waste as our raw materials.”
Building her business was not without its challenges. “It was never easy, and it still isn’t!” she said. Ms. Ledua firmly believes in the importance of networking, stating, “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business.” Despite facing doubt and ridicule for using waste materials, her determination and passion have propelled her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious goals for her business. “We are planning to open an upcycling center that will provide a platform for women upcyclers,” she shared. This center aims to empower women, serve as a showroom, and create a safe space for artistic expression. Her vision is to foster a supportive community where women can flourish and contribute positively to the environment.
Recently, Ms. Ledua successfully hosted a workshop as part of an Outbound Fellows program, sponsored by the Department of State through the East West Centre. The workshop aimed to identify potential trainers in Fiji’s western and northern regions, and she expressed pride in having identified six promising candidates.
To grow her business, Ms. Ledua acknowledged the need for a consistent revenue stream and a means to communicate her mission to customers. She attended a website-building workshop sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji, which helped her create a functional website for her business. “The website workshop and the entire process were very productive and efficient,” she noted, highlighting the website’s role as a crucial tool in her operations.
Ms. Ledua encourages others to learn about repurposing household waste. “Educate yourselves on how to recycle and minimize waste from ending up in landfills,” she advised. “There’s so much to do, Fiji!” Her journey exemplifies how creativity, passion, and perseverance can transform even the most unexpected materials into something beautiful and practical, serving as an inspiring reminder of how we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.