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 turned her expertise and passion for sustainability into a venture that transforms waste materials into creative and functional art pieces.
Building her business from the ground up, she also took the initiative to design and develop her website to showcase her products.
Balancing her responsibilities as a mother and an entrepreneur, Ms. Ledua describes her day as constantly busy. “Being a mother comes first,” she says, as she moves between caring for her toddler and crafting her next creation.
Her artistic journey began long before her formal studies. Ms. Ledua recalls being fascinated by colors and their impact on everyday life, which led her to focus on color coordination professionally after pursuing a degree in painting and decorating in 2009.
The concept of upcycling her art came to her during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in Raiwaqa, she and her husband started collecting discarded materials from the roadside. “We began our new journey of upcycling from literally picking whatever waste we could find, like old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” she shared, emphasizing how these materials became the foundation for her art and household items.
Launching her business came with challenges. “It was never easy and it still isn’t!” Ms. Ledua noted, highlighting the significance of networking in business. Despite facing criticism for using waste as a medium, her determination and passion have propelled her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious goals for her business, including plans to establish an upcycling center to empower women upcyclers. This envisioned center will provide a creative space, showroom, and community support for women to thrive and positively impact the environment.
Recently, Ms. Ledua hosted a successful workshop under the Outbound Fellows programme, funded by the Department of State through the East West Centre, which aimed to identify potential trainers in Fiji’s western and northern regions. “We were able to identify six potential trainers,” she said with pride.
To grow her business, Ms. Ledua recognized the importance of a reliable revenue stream and clear communication of her mission to customers. This realization led her to attend a website-building workshop, sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji, where she successfully created her business website. “The website workshop and building process were very productive and efficient,” she commented, noting that the site is now a vital part of her operations.
Ms. Ledua encourages others to learn about repurposing household waste to help reduce landfill contributions. “There’s so much to do, Fiji!” she exclaimed, embodying how creativity, passion, and perseverance can transform even the most unexpected materials into beautiful, functional items. Her journey serves as an inspiring example of how everyone can contribute to a more sustainable world.