Tiko Ledua is making significant strides with her upcycling venture, Ledua’s Art Collection. With 15 years of experience in painting and decorating, Ms. Ledua blends her artistic skills with a commitment to sustainability by transforming waste into innovative, functional art pieces.
From starting her business from scratch to creating a website that highlights her one-of-a-kind products, Ms. Ledua has invested significant effort into her entrepreneurial journey.
In her personal life, Ms. Ledua prioritizes motherhood while managing her home-based business. “Being a mother comes first,” she emphasized. Her daily routine is a mix of parenting her toddler and crafting, leaving little room to rest. “My day is always busy, either I am working or I am mothering,” she noted.
Her artistic journey began well before she pursued formal education in painting and decorating in 2009. She explained, “Before studying painting and decorating, I was always fascinated by the wonders of colours and their effect on our everyday life.” This early interest evolved into a mastery of color coordination that she now applies in her art.
The concept of upcycling emerged for Ms. Ledua during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residing in Raiwaqa, she and her husband, who has a background in construction, began collecting discarded materials from the streets. “We began our new journey of upcycling from literally picking whatever waste we could find, like old tires, baby cots, and cardboard,” Ms. Ledua recounted. This initiative led them to create art and household items from these discarded materials.
Establishing her business, however, posed its own challenges. “It was never easy and it still isn’t!” she admitted. Ms. Ledua prioritizes the importance of networking for success, stating, “Network is your Net Worth when you’re in business.” Despite initial skepticism surrounding her use of waste, her dedication and passion have propelled her forward.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ledua has ambitious plans for her business, aiming to open an upcycling center that will empower women in the community. “We are working and planning on opening an upcycling centre where we provide a platform for women upcyclers,” she revealed. This center will be a space for empowerment, showcasing art and fostering creativity.
Recently, Ms. Ledua organized a successful workshop as part of an Outbound Fellows programme, supported by the Department of State through the East West Centre, 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 need for a sustainable revenue model and effective communication of her mission to customers. This realization led her to participate in a website-building workshop sponsored by Business Assistance Fiji. She described the experience as “very productive and efficient,” noting that her new website has become a vital tool for her business.
Ms. Ledua encourages everyone to learn about repurposing household waste and reducing landfill contributions. “Learn to educate yourselves in how to repurpose household wastes in reducing and minimising waste from ending up in the landfill,” she advised. “There’s so much to do, Fiji!”
Ultimately, Ms. Ledua exemplifies how creativity, determination, and passion can transform unlikely materials into valuable and beautiful creations. Her journey serves as an inspiration, illustrating that with a bit of imagination, individuals can play a role in fostering a more sustainable future.