[5] Poverty forced Chen to leave high school and started her own furniture repair business.

In the early 1980s, Chen moved to Hong Kong and continue her business of buying and re-selling furniture.

Though its predominant business is real estate, the company also has a diverse portfolio in the fields of agriculture, tourism, electronics, hospitality and red sandalwood art production, etc.

[1] In recent years, Chen has handed over daily management of her ventures to her son, preferring to concentrate on her museum instead.

[1] She attributed her love of red sandalwood from the childhood years she spent in Summer Palace, where furnishings are made of the timber.