profile

WIA Profile: Shirley (Punker Barbie)

How did you get into the business?

I was going to college and living in Los Angeles. I needed a part-time job that would pay a full-time salary, and I heard about a position for an adult company that provided feeds to adult sites. They had a system set up where I would type in keywords and adult-related sites would pop up, and I would immediately see their who is information. I’d then email and call them. It was pretty easy; I think most people were surprised to get a young girl on the other end of the phone talking about adult feeds.

I think the adult industry is in somewhat of a crisis. It’s a time for the industry to cleanse itself and get rid of the rift raft.

What in your background prepared you for what you are doing now?

I built my first website when I was 15. At the time I was the only one of my friends with a digital camera and it just became a hassle to distribute certain pictures to certain friends. So one day my dad — a computer programmer — suggested I build a site. From there I started to build galleries. I made my site prettier and made my pages load faster. Knowing these skills has helped me tremendously in my career.

What do you see as the challenges of working in online adult and how do you overcome them?

I think the adult industry is in somewhat of a crisis. It’s a time for the industry to cleanse itself and get rid of the rift raft. I know people who have decided not promote programs that have their own merchant accounts because they are afraid of not getting paid. It’s hard to pinpoint where to put pressure.

Does your work affect your personal life?

Work definitely does not affect my personal life. In fact sometimes I mix the two. I have a lot of friends that don’t mind the line of business we are in. In fact I think most of my girlfriends are fascinated by it.

Do you have a personal motto or slogan that you live by?

Live life to the fullest but play the game smart.

Each month, industry news media organization XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

Segpay Marks 20 Years of High-Risk Triumphs

Payment processors are behind-the-scenes players in the world of ecommerce, yet their role is critical. Ensuring secure, seamless transactions while navigating a rapidly changing regulatory landscape requires both technological expertise and business acumen.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

The SCREEN Test: How to Prepare for Federal Age Verification

For those who are counting, there are now 20 enacted state laws in the United States requiring age verification for viewing online adult content, plus numerous proposed laws in the works. This ongoing barrage has been exhausting for many in the adult industry — and it may be about to escalate in the form of a potential new AV law, this time at the federal level.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How to Master Team Dynamics for Business Success

Having the right team in place is everything. Whether getting a startup off the ground and thriving, or safeguarding an established company, the right — or wrong — people can mean the difference between a successful venture and a failed dream.

Juicy Jay ·
opinion

Eight Steps to Fast-Track AI Site Approval for Processing

Artificial intelligence is a hot topic these days. AI technology is speeding up the way we do business across all industries and offers numerous benefits, from automating processes to increasing efficiency and scalability.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

How to Secure High-Risk Transactions With Network Tokenization

Ensuring the security of data as it moves through digital channels is the foundation of safe transactions, and crucial for your success. If your business can’t secure transactions, you’re exposed to myriad processing traumas.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Reba Rocket

As chief operating officer and chief marketing officer of Takedown Piracy, long at the forefront of intellectual property protection in adult entertainment, Rocket is dedicated to safeguarding the livelihoods of content creators and producers while fostering a more ethical and sustainable industry.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Protecting Content Ownership Rights When Using AI

In today’s digital age, content producers have more tools at their disposal than ever before. Among these tools, artificial intelligence (AI) content generation has emerged as a game changer, enabling creators to produce high-quality content quickly and efficiently.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Payment Orchestration Can Help Your Business

An emerging payment solution is making waves in the merchant world: the payment orchestration platform (POP). It’s quickly gaining traction as a powerful tool for managing online payments — but questions abound.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Fine-Tuning Refund and Cancellation Policies

For adult websites, managing refunds and cancellations isn’t just about customer service. It’s a crucial factor in maintaining compliance with the regulations of payment processors and payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Laurel Bencomo

Born in Cambridge, England but raised in Spain, Laurel Bencomo initially chose to study business at the University of Barcelona simply because it felt familiar — both of her parents are entrepreneurs. She went on to earn a master’s degree in sales and marketing management at the EADA Business School, while working in events for a group of restaurants in Barcelona.

Women In Adult ·
Show More