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 merged her skills with her dedication to sustainability, crafting unique pieces from waste materials.
Ms. Ledua has not only launched her business independently but has also designed her own website to highlight her distinctive products.
A typical day for her involves balancing motherhood with running a home-based business. “Being a mother comes first,” Ms. Ledua expressed, as she navigates her responsibilities, from caring for her toddler to creating her next artistic piece. “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering,” she added.
Her passion for art ignited long before her formal education began in 2009. “Before studying painting and decorating, I was always fascinated by the wonders of colours and their effect on our everyday life,” she reminisced. This love for colours has been a constant driving force throughout her life and professional career.
The concept of upcycling came to Ms. Ledua during the COVID-19 pandemic while living in Raiwaqa. Together with her husband, who has a background in building and joinery, they started collecting discarded materials from the roadside. “We began our new journey of upcycling from literally picking whatever waste we could find,” she explained, mentioning items like old tires and baby cots as initial raw materials. “From here we started creating art and housewares using waste as our raw materials.”
Turning her craft into a thriving business posed various challenges. “It was never easy and it still isn’t!” she admitted. Ms. Ledua emphasizes the value of networking, stating, “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business.” Despite skepticism from others about her choice of materials, her determination and enthusiasm have propelled her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious aspirations for her company. “We are working and planning on opening an upcycling centre where we provide a platform for women upcyclers,” she revealed. This center aims to empower women, serve as a showroom, and provide a safe space for artistic creation while fostering a supportive community.
Recently, Ms. Ledua successfully conducted a workshop as part of an Outbound Fellows program sponsored by the Department of State through the East-West Centre. The event focused on identifying potential trainers from the western and northern regions of Fiji, and she proudly noted that “we were able to identify six potential trainers.”
To enhance her business, Ms. Ledua recognized the importance of a steady revenue-generating strategy and effective communication of her mission. She participated in a build-a-website workshop, sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji, which helped her create a website for her business. “The website workshop and website-building process were very productive and efficient,” she commented, highlighting how the site has become an essential tool in her business.
Ms. Ledua encourages others to learn about repurposing household waste, saying, “Learn to educate yourselves in how to repurpose household wastes in reducing and minimizing waste from ending up in the landfill.” Her journey exemplifies the potential of creativity, passion, and determination to transform unlikely materials into beautiful, useful items, inspiring others to contribute to a more sustainable future.