Tiko Ledua is making strides with her innovative upcycling venture, Ledua’s Art Collection. With 15 years of experience in painting and decorating, Ms. Ledua has fused her skills with a dedication to sustainability, transforming waste into creative and functional artworks.
She not only established her business from scratch but also created her website to highlight her one-of-a-kind products.
“Being a mother comes first,” Ms. Ledua stated, explaining how she balances her responsibilities as a mom and her home-based business. Her daily routine includes caring for her toddler while also crafting her next creation, keeping her schedule filled with activities. “My day is always busy, either I’m working or I’m mothering,” she added.
Ms. Ledua’s artistic journey began long before her formal education. “I was always fascinated by the wonders of colors and their effect on our everyday life,” she reminisced, noting that her interest in color coordination evolved from childhood to her professional endeavors after she studied painting and decorating in 2009.
The concept of upcycling in her art came to Ms. Ledua during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in Raiwaqa, she and her husband, who has skills in building and joinery, started to gather discarded materials from the streets. “We began our new journey of upcycling by picking up waste we could find, like old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” she explained. This initiative laid the foundation for creating art and household items from reclaimed materials.
Turning her expertise into a business was not an easy task. “It was never easy, and it still isn’t!” Ms. Ledua remarked, emphasizing the importance of networking. She believes that “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business.” Despite encountering skepticism for using waste as a resource, her determination and passion have fueled her progress.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious goals for her business. “We are planning to open an upcycling center to 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, fostering a community that can thrive and positively impact the environment.
Recently, Ms. Ledua conducted a successful workshop as part of an Outbound Fellows program sponsored by the Department of State through the East West Centre, aimed at identifying potential trainers in Fiji’s western and northern regions. “We were able to identify six potential trainers,” she said proudly.
To grow her business, Ms. Ledua recognized the necessity of a consistent revenue stream and effective communication with her customers. Consequently, she participated in a website-building workshop through Business Assistance Fiji, which proved to be highly productive and effective. Today, her website plays a vital role in her business operations.
Ms. Ledua encourages people to educate themselves on how to repurpose household waste. “Learn to educate yourselves on how to repurpose household waste to reduce and minimize the amount of waste that ends up in landfills,” she urged. “There’s so much to do, Fiji!”
Her journey is a testament to how creativity, passion, and perseverance can transform even the most unlikely materials into beautiful and useful creations, inspiring others to contribute to a more sustainable future.