Ludwina Dautovic - A warm voice in the world of women entrepreneurs

Ludwina Dautovic began The Red Tent Woman to inspire the life and work of business women. As the community grows, Ludwina finds ongoing inspiration from Red Tent Woman members. Thrilled to be part of such a vibrant and supportive network, Ludwina shares some of her personal story here.

Unique childhood lessons in belonging. Ludwina Dautovic's parents were both immigrants who met in Australia and started a life and young family together. Her mother came from Holland and her father from Fiji so this created a unique cultural mix, both in the household and for her brother Tony and herself.

When Ludwina was three her parents went their separate ways. As a child she was not privy to the exact details of what had happened. Her mother remarried and had two children with her Australian husband, who became Ludwina's new father.

Although it was a very loving family she remembers feeling different because of Tony and her Indian appearance. "We called ourselves ‘chocolate bars’ and our two younger siblings who were born from our new family, were the ‘Milky Ways’."

In the very small town in which they lived Ludwina constantly felt ostracised and her sense of difference was strong. Ludwina's childhood created an unusual relationship for her sense of identity and belonging, both at a personal and community level.

Ludwina's Journey - Growing up with a restless spirit and a fierce independence

At the age of 13 I began to question my life. My mother told me some things about my biological father that created a restlessness within. When I was 16 I moved to Sydney and started working in nightclubs. It was an exciting lifestyle that centred around exclusive venues, celebrities, fast living and new friends.

By my early twenties I was in the thick of this urban lifestyle, but my inner restlessness had not diminished. Put simply, I was busy but not happy. I realised I needed something different.

I moved back to my home town and began a long, slow path towards healing and happiness.

I was fortunate to meet a loving man called Harry. We married and had children and I spent my twenties facing the demands of marriage and parenthood. Harry and I both came from childhoods where difference and belonging were not always easy issues. So we were determined to build a marriage and family of solid and enduring foundations. At the beginning of 2009 we celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary.

Navigating the dark road of depression to emerge on a new path

Once I reached my thirties I was hit by a period of overwhelming depression.

If it hadn’t been for my determination to protect my own children from the losses I had felt as a child, I may have acted on my recurring suicidal thoughts.

After years of struggle, my own battle with alcohol, therapy and healing, I made the decision to find my biological father. I discovered a sad story of personal struggle. He had remarried but his second wife had also left him. He had then disappeared, cutting off all contact with his family.

However, among the sadness I found great joy. I made contact with a cousin who then opened the doors for me to meet my half brother and his family.

Harry and I took our children to the meeting and I experienced a profound sense of connection when I looked into the faces of my Indian family and saw myself. They were welcoming, warm and loving.

Discovering a second family brought its own confusion and challenges. I realised that I didn’t fully belong to either my ‘Australian’ or ‘Indian’ family. I was both and I was neither – somewhere in between.

I realised then that the only way for me to find happiness and fulfillment was to look inside of myself, rather than seek it externally in the form of approval and acceptance from others.

I eventually found great peace, and acceptance of myself and my parents.

Personal transformation leads to a shift in career and life focus

This awakening occurred in my mid thirties, by which time I was also ready for a career change. In among my personal life challenges, I had developed a successful media career, running an independent television and video production company. It was immensely satisfying to be part of the world of women entrepreneurs.

As an independent producer for Optus Vision I created an innovative program called Media Minds that was sold to hundreds of schools all over Australia.

Meanwhile I had home schooled my two children and worked hard creating a positive role for myself as mother and wife. My ability to communicate and connect had always been strong. Now I was ready for it to be channelled through a different source.

Filling out a career survey one rainy Sunday afternoon, I was struck with the results that recommended a career in psychology, counselling or coaching. The notion of coaching resonated particularly strongly and so I set about a few years of intensive study and learning.

My journey led me to study Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and I quickly embraced a philosophy of self-knowledge and my desire to help others heal.

A personal dream and family adventure opens The Red Door

It was while fulfilling a personal dream of a three month European holiday with my family that The Red Tent Woman was born. Inspired by ‘The Red Tent’ (a great book by Anita Diamant) and my own daughter’s entry into womanhood, I realised that my personal passion was to help women. To provide mentorship and coaching for women entrepreneurs, and a safe, welcoming space to share stories, laughter and wisdom.

After just a few years The Red Tent woman is a thriving hub. I am proud to be the recent winner of the Women in Business Category for the 2008 MCEI National Marketing Awards.

The Red Tent Woman represents a holistic combination of the ‘street smarts’ I learned in my early years, my business acumen, the self-knowledge I gained through both my own pain and my own healing, and the skills I have nurtured in guiding others through personal and professional challenges.

My passion is in providing a network that helps women gain control of their lives and their careers. It is not possible to get all of our support and stimulation from our partner or family. It’s not about ‘work/life balance’. It’s about living the life that will fulfil and reward you as a complete person.

The Red Tent Woman is a network where women offer each other strength, encouragement and wisdom born from shared experiences and unique life stories.

I welcome you to our wonderful community and look forward to hearing your story and sharing in your path.

Warm regards

Ludwina