After graduating from the International Fine Arts College of Fashion in Miami Beach,Florida in 1972, Shirley began a career as a flight attendant for National Airlines, later Pan Am. Her job enabled her to travel all around the world, exposing her to new styles in decor, colors and trends which stirred her imagination for design. In her travels, she would visit local shops and fabric stores gleaning ideas and inspirations from each one.

During this time she took a two year leave of absence, excited to soon be a new mother, she started taking quilting classes. Adam was born in 1981, and the thoughts of ruffles and lace changed to funky suspenders and a collection of wind up toys!

In addition to being a mother, wife, and flight attendant, Shirley had a flourishing side business making fabric-lined baskets called “Bows & Ivy”. in 1988, they did the Atlanta gift show, their first. Shortly thereafter, “Bows & Ivy” began selling their products to boutiques and major department stores in the United States, Japan and Switzerland.

After 15 years as a flight attendant, Shirley left the airlines and began operating “Bows & Ivy” full time. Her talent for sewing and design continued to guide her career and open new opportunities along the way.

In 1991, Shirley's career took a new turn. She closed “Bows & Ivy” and began working with designers, while acting as a liaison between the designers and the workrooms. Finding her niche, she gradually took on more designers and soon became known as “The Detailed Home”. Out of all of her jobs, Shirley found nursery and children's room design the most fulfilling, the designer crib sets the most challenging.

So, Shirley went to work creating a solution that would open new doors of creativity in nursery room design, especially custom designed crib sets. This was the inspiration that marked the beginning of Make Room for Baby®.