Tiko Ledua is making strides with her unique upcycling business, Ledua’s Art Collection. With 15 years of experience in painting and decorating, Ms. Ledua has fused her skills with her passion for sustainability to create a business that turns waste into creative and functional pieces.
Not only has she established her business from scratch, but she also designed her own website to feature her distinctive products.
Ms. Ledua emphasizes that motherhood takes priority in her life. Her days are a blend of parenting her toddler and managing her home-based enterprise. “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering,” she explains.
Her artistic journey began long before her formal education in painting and decorating, which she pursued in 2009. “I was always fascinated by the wonders of colours and their effects on our everyday life,” she reminisces, noting how her childhood interest in coordinating outfits evolved into a professional skill.
The idea to integrate upcycling into her art emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residing in Raiwaqa, she and her husband, who has expertise in building and joinery, began gathering discarded materials from the roadside. “We started our new journey by picking up whatever waste we could find, like old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” she shares. They began crafting art and household items from these salvaged materials.
Transforming her artistic abilities into a business was no easy task. “It was never easy and it still isn’t!” Ms. Ledua reflects, stressing the importance of networking in business, noting that “Network is your Net Worth.” Despite encountering skepticism and ridicule for her use of waste as material, 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 centre where we provide a platform for women upcyclers,” she reveals. This centre will empower women, serve as a showroom, and provide a safe space for artistic creation, with the vision of fostering a supportive community that positively impacts the environment.
Recently, Ms. Ledua conducted a successful workshop as part of an Outbound Fellows programme 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 successfully identified six individuals.
To grow her business further, Ms. Ledua recognized the necessity of creating a consistent revenue stream and effectively communicating her mission to her customers. With this in mind, she participated in a website-building workshop sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji. “The website workshop was highly productive and efficient,” she noted, and her website has become a vital tool for her business.
Ms. Ledua encourages everyone to learn about repurposing household waste. “Educate yourselves on how to turn household waste into something useful to reduce landfill contributions,” she advises. “There’s so much to do, Fiji!”
Her work exemplifies how creativity, passion, and perseverance can transform the most unexpected materials into beautiful and practical items. Ms. Ledua’s journey serves as an inspiration, highlighting that with a bit of imagination, we can all contribute to a more sustainable world.