Salomea (Salcia/Sala) Waksberg was born in the Polish town of Kielce in 1889 or 1890. Her father was a successful merchant who owned a tannery (a factory that processed leather) and a store that sold leather goods. The family was large–Salomea was one of many children–and traditional in its Jewish observance. Salomea completed a gymnasium (high school) and learned to play the piano. More so than her siblings, she helped her father out in the leather goods store and developed a good business sense. Her business acumen would serve her well; in her early twenties, she married Siegfried Steyer, a young, dashing entrepreneur, and advised him in his ventures. Together they had two children, Stanley and Helena.