SISTERHOOD: Kate Davies (right) and Tammy To during a buying tour in UK in November 2012 (COURTESY OF AUTHENTIQUES)

It all began with a "strategic decision."

If Samsung Securities had not decided to exit all markets except South Korea by shutting its doors in Hong Kong in January 2012, former employees Kate Davies and Tammy To wouldn't bother to reassess their 12-year-long careers at the investment bank by making a strategic decision of their own: Selling antique European furniture.

Career shifts

Before moving in to public relations in Hong Kong some 16 years ago, Kate Davies, who grew up in Melbourne with antiques at arm's length, was a TV journalist in Australia.

"My parents are keen decorators and they are very clever at mixing old with new," Davies told Beijing Review. "I am never happier than when I am in their spaces and I seek out similar ambiances wherever I go."

The company Davies served was in charge of marketing and events within banking. Her late husband Steve was a homewares designer who opened her eyes to beautiful and practical designs.

Tammy To was Davies' co-worker at the time. Coming from Macao, To, born in Hong Kong and attended school in Vancouver, Canada. They have cultivated a sisterhood over the years.

Both Davies and To joined the then expanding Samsung Securities from Royal Bank of Scotland (formerly ABN AMRO) in November 2010. They were both directors and ran the team together. For instance, they arranged conferences and road shows for listed companies to meet and attract investors. They looked after the operations, drove the content and also marketed to the CFOs, CEOs and Investor Relations teams of the listed companies around Asia.

Unfortunately, their promising careers were brought to an abrupt end.

"We were shocked to be told the company was shutting down," Davies recalled.

"I told her that we should relax and have a drink since we had no work any more," To giggled.

Leaving 24/7 standby pressure and frequent overseas trips behind, To asked Davies whether they should do something interesting together apart from banking.

"We thought that consulting in the corporate access field would free us up to pursue some other interests. I have been in Hong Kong for a long time, but it has always been hard to find authentic European antique furniture stores," Davies noted. "So an antiques business became a realistic choice for us."