Susan Olivia Poole was born in 1889 in the Gitxaala territory, part of the Tsimshian Nation in coastal British Columbia. Her early life would have been deeply rooted in the traditions, skills, and resourcefulness of her Indigenous community, factors that undoubtedly influenced her later inventiveness.

As a mother herself, Olivia experienced first-hand the challenges of balancing childcare with daily tasks and responsibilities. Traditional methods of carrying infants, while functional, likely presented limitations regarding comfort and the mother's freedom of movement while working.