Tiko Ledua is making strides with her innovative upcycling venture, Ledua’s Art Collection. With over 15 years of experience in painting and decorating, Ms. Ledua has fused her artistic skills and commitment to sustainability to establish a business that converts waste materials into practical and creative items.
As a self-starter, she has not only launched her business from scratch but has also designed her own website to feature her unique creations.
In her own words, “Being a mother comes first,” highlighting her busy schedule. Ms. Ledua balances her responsibilities as a mother with managing her home-based business, engaging in activities that range from caring for her toddler to crafting new artistic pieces.
Reflecting on her artistic journey, Ms. Ledua’s passion for art began long before her formal training. “Before studying painting and decorating in 2009, I was always fascinated by the wonders of colours and their effect on our everyday life,” she reminisced. This early interest led her to perfect her colour coordination skills through her professional endeavors.
The concept of upcycling took root for Ms. Ledua during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in Raiwaqa, she and her husband, who has expertise in building and joinery, began collecting discarded materials from the roadside. “We started our new journey of upcycling by picking up whatever waste we could find, such as old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” she explained. This initiative allowed them to create art and homewares from the reclaimed materials.
Launching her business presented challenges. “It was never easy and it still isn’t!” Ms. Ledua remarked, emphasizing the importance of networking in business. She believes, “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business,” and despite initial skepticism regarding her unconventional choice of raw materials, her determination has propelled her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious goals for her business. “We are working and planning on opening an upcycling centre to provide a platform for women upcyclers,” she announced. This centre is envisioned as a space for empowerment, a showroom, and a creative environment, where women can flourish and make a difference environmentally.
Recently, she successfully conducted a workshop as part of the Outbound Fellows programme, sponsored by the Department of State in collaboration with the East West Centre. The workshop aimed to unearth potential trainers in the western and northern regions of Fiji and yielded excellent results. “We identified six potential trainers,” Ms. Ledua beamed.
To further develop her business, Ms. Ledua recognized the importance of a sustainable income stream and effective communication of her mission to customers. This realization inspired her to attend a website-building workshop, which was made possible through sponsorship from Business Assistance Fiji. “The website workshop and the process were very productive and efficient,” she stated. The resulting website plays a vital role in her operations.
Ms. Ledua also advocates for education on repurposing household waste. “Learn to educate yourselves about how to repurpose household wastes to reduce and minimize waste ending up in landfills,” she urged. “There’s so much to do, Fiji!”
Her journey exemplifies how creativity, passion, and resilience can transform even the most unexpected materials into beautiful and functional items. Ms. Ledua serves as an inspiring figure, demonstrating that with a bit of imagination, everyone can contribute to a more sustainable future.