Tiko Ledua is making significant strides with her innovative upcycling venture, Ledua’s Art Collection. With a rich background in painting and decorating spanning 15 years, Ms. Ledua has successfully merged her expertise with a commitment to sustainability, crafting a distinctive business that turns waste into artistic and functional items.
She has built her enterprise from the ground up and even designed her website to effectively showcase her original creations.
In her personal life, Ms. Ledua emphasizes the importance of motherhood, balancing her responsibilities as a mother with running her home-based business. “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering,” she remarked, highlighting the dynamic nature of her daily routine.
Her artistic journey began long before she formally studied painting and decorating in 2009. As a child, her fascination with colors and their influence on daily life ignited a passion that evolved as she grew, from coordinating outfits to mastering color in her professional pursuits.
The concept of upcycling emerged for Ms. Ledua during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residing in Raiwaqa with her husband, who has expertise in building and joinery, she 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 explained. This initial endeavor set the stage for crafting art and homeware from repurposed materials.
Transforming her artistic skills into a business has not been without challenges. “It was never easy and it still isn’t!” she stated, underscoring her belief in the power of networking, coining the phrase, “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business.” Despite facing doubt and ridicule for her unconventional use of waste materials, her dedication and enthusiasm continue to propel her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious aspirations for her business, including plans for an upcycling center that would provide support and resources for women upcyclers. She envisions this center as a hub for empowerment, a showroom, and a safe space for artistic creation, aiming to foster a community that promotes sustainability.
Recently, Ms. Ledua successfully conducted a workshop as part of the Outbound Fellows program, which is 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, resulting in the selection of six promising candidates.
To expand her business, Ms. Ledua recognized the importance of establishing a reliable revenue stream and effectively communicating her mission. This realization led her to a website-building workshop sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji, which she found to be highly productive. The resulting website has become an essential component of her business operations.
Ms. Ledua encourages others to learn about repurposing household waste, urging, “Learn to educate yourselves in how to repurpose household wastes in reducing and minimising waste from ending up in the landfill.” She believes there is much potential for sustainable practices in Fiji.
Her journey exemplifies how creativity, passion, and resilience can transform even the most unlikely materials into beautiful and practical items. Ms. Ledua serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that with a bit of imagination, everyone can contribute to a more sustainable future.