Boss Mama CEO Story: Starting From Scratch

Janine is a perfect example of what it looks like to truly start from scratch. After spending 14 years as a stay-at-home mom, she didn’t have a business background or years of experience behind her. She simply had an idea and the courage to take the first step.

Today, she’s running an award-winning community business while showing her kiddos what it looks like to dream big, take action, and bring an idea to life. The best part is, she’s only two years into her journey and has already accomplished so much.

Janine shares the one thing she wishes she had known when she started: she wasn’t alone.

It’s no surprise that starting a business can feel incredibly lonely. Especially in a world where social media makes it seem like everyone else has it all figured out.

News flash: they don’t.

Social media is filled with highlight reels and carefully curated moments (“facades”) that can make it look like everyone is thriving and succeeding every single day. The reality is, every entrepreneur has doubts, challenges, setbacks, and moments where they wonder if they’re doing it right.

That’s exactly why I created the exclusive Boss Mama CEO Community on Facebook. A space where women who are building, creating, and chasing their dreams can connect with others in the same season of life.

A place where you can feel a little less alone, a little more supported, and completely understood.

This community was built to share the real, raw, and sometimes messy moments of mompreneurship. The wins, the lessons, the struggles, and everything in between.

If you haven’t joined yet, join below!

Before you dive into Janine’s inspiring story, be sure to follow her on social media and show her some love. Supporting women who are building something amazing is what this community is all about.

YOUR STORY

Tell us who you are!

My name is Janine Inselmann and I’m the owner of Sewing Lab LLC.

We love a good origin story, but first, give us your short + sweet intro!

Sewing Lab teaches practical sewing skills to kids and adults, empowering makers to repair, customize, and create while building sustainable consumption habits. We’re building a community-driven alternative to screen time that transforms how people think about the clothes they wear.

Every boss mama has a ‘day one.’ What was yours?

Before launching Sewing Lab, I was a sustainable fashion ambassador for Remake, advocating for the people who make our clothes and raising awareness about fashion’s environmental impact. In October 2024, I opened Sewing Lab with a mission to make sustainability practical through sewing, creativity, and circular economy practices. I started without knowing all the processes of running a business, from writing a business plan to understanding accounting, commercial leases, and contracts. But I learned step by step while building the business from the ground up. More than a year later, the community proved they were ready for sustainability. Today, about 70% of the materials we use are donated by families, community members, and local businesses, helping us teach waste reduction, reuse, and creative problem-solving through every program.

Which came first—the business or the babies? Tell us how your family + business journeys intersected.

My business journey began after starting my family. I was a stay-at-home mom for 14 years before launching Sewing Lab.

We know it’s a wild ride—tell us how you’ve balanced building your dream biz while raising your crew. The good, the tough, the real.

Building Sewing Lab while raising a family has been both rewarding and challenging. One of the biggest highs has been showing my kids that it’s never too late to start something meaningful, even after spending 14 years as a stay-at-home mom. They’ve watched me grow from having an idea into building an award-winning community business focused on sustainability and education. The hardest part was learning everything from scratch while still balancing family life, from understanding business plans and accounting to navigating commercial leases, contracts, staffing, and operations. There were a lot of moments of self-doubt and figuring things out in real time. But in between all of that came the most meaningful part: seeing the community show up. Families donating materials, students gaining confidence, and parents trusting us with their children reminded me that this wasn’t just about sewing. It was about creating community, practical skills, and a more sustainable future.

What’s one obstacle you’ve overcome?

One of the biggest challenges I overcame was starting a business with no background in business ownership after being a stay-at-home mom for 14 years. I had to learn everything from business plans and accounting to commercial leases and contracts while building Sewing Lab from the ground up. Fun fact: about 70% of the materials we use at Sewing Lab are donated by families, community members, and local businesses. Some of our student projects are made from old pajamas, blankets, neckties, upholstery fabric, and T-shirts, turning donated materials into something completely new.

YOUR BUSINESS

Tell us your superpower—what’s your product, service, or special offering?

Sewing Lab provides sewing classes, camps, and creative programs for kids, teens, and adults.

What’s the magic that sets you apart?

What sets Sewing Lab apart is that we combine sewing education with sustainability, creativity, and real-world skill-building in a modern, approachable way. We’re not just teaching sewing techniques. We’re helping students build confidence, patience, problem-solving skills, and independence through hands-on learning. Our programs also focus heavily on the circular economy by incorporating donated and reclaimed textiles into projects, showing students how creativity and sustainability can work together in everyday life.

Spill the tea — any big milestones, press shoutouts, or launches on the horizon? 

One of the biggest milestones for Sewing Lab has been receiving the Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Award and the Virginia Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for our work in sustainability and community impact. I’ve also been invited to speak and guest on local, national, and international platforms, including panels during DC Climate Week, podcasts, and sustainability-focused discussions around fashion, circular economy practices, and skills-based education.

Give us a Day in the Life of being both Mom and CEO!

A typical day as a mom and CEO of Sewing Lab is a mix of family life, creativity, and nonstop problem-solving. My mornings start with family responsibilities before shifting into running the business, teaching classes, creating content, answering emails, planning programs, and managing daily operations. Some days I’m speaking at events or sustainability panels. Other days I’m organizing donated materials or fixing sewing machines before class starts. Building a business after being a stay-at-home mom for 14 years taught me how to adapt quickly and wear many hats. There’s no perfect balance, but I’ve learned to build a business while still making space for family, community, and the mission behind why I started.

ADVICE FOR MOMPRENEURS

What’s the single best piece of advice or favorite tool you’d share with other mamas building their businesses?

My biggest advice: just do it. You’ll learn as you go. Most business owners don’t start with all the answers. The important part is being willing to start, adapt, and keep moving forward even when things feel uncertain.

What’s been your biggest challenge juggling motherhood and running a business?

The hardest part has been balancing the mental load of motherhood and entrepreneurship at the same time. There are moments when business demands mean missing dinners, school events, or family time, and that part is never easy. Learning how to manage the pressure and give myself grace has been one of the biggest challenges.

What’s your approach to balancing business and family? We love the real, unfiltered stories!

My approach is accepting that balance changes constantly. Some seasons require more focus on business, and others require more focus on family. I stopped chasing the idea of doing everything perfectly. I’ve also accepted that sacrifices are part of the process. Building a business takes time, energy, and difficult choices. The key for me has been staying grounded in why I started and making sure the sacrifices still align with the life I’m trying to build.

Looking back, what’s something you wish you had known before starting your business?

Looking back, I wish I had known that I wasn’t alone. It takes time to find people who truly understand the weight, pressure, and sacrifices that come with being a business owner. Having a support system of other entrepreneurs who understand the journey is incredibly important, especially during the hard seasons.

What tool, resource, or habit has completely changed the game for you?

One habit that completely changed the game for me was learning to network and build genuine relationships. So many opportunities, collaborations, speaking invitations, and business growth came from simply showing up, staying consistent, and connecting with people. I also learned the importance of asking questions and not trying to figure everything out alone.

What mindset shifts have helped you keep going during hard seasons?

One of the biggest mindset shifts for me was realizing that hard seasons are part of the process, not a sign to quit. Every challenge became an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve. I also stopped comparing my journey to others and learned to stay focused on my mission and long-term goals. Building something meaningful takes time, and staying grounded in why I started has helped me keep going during difficult seasons.

What words of encouragement would you give a Mom tempted to give up on her business dream?

Don’t give up just because it feels hard. Most business owners feel scared, overwhelmed, or unsure at some point. Start where you are, keep learning, invest in yourself, and stay focused on your goal.

One of the best pieces of advice Janine shared is this: don’t give up just because it feels hard.

That’s where so many businesses fail. Not because the idea wasn’t great, but because the journey got difficult.

The beginning is exciting. There’s the rush of creating something new, chasing a dream, and bringing an idea to life. The end is rewarding. You get to see the results of your hard work and celebrate how far you’ve come.

But it’s the middle, the messy, challenging, uncertain season, where most people quit.

And that’s the exact moment you have to keep going.

Don’t let a difficult season convince you that your dream isn’t worth pursuing. You may be walking away from the very thing that could become one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

I’d love to feature more Boss Mamas like Janine. If you know someone who deserves the spotlight, please reach out and send me their info at ashley@bossmamaceo.com or via my contact page here. And hey, if that’s you, I love a little self-brag too! Send me your details so we can shine the spotlight on you as well.

Here’s to all the incredible Moms juggling a million things—keep shining bright, cheering each other on, and building the life you love!

Ashley

Friendly Note: I’m simply sharing my journey, experiences, and lessons learned as a Mom in business. This isn’t legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check with a qualified pro for guidance tailored to you.