21/07/2026
Late-night scrolling got me thinking… I realized I’ve never properly introduced myself to the people who follow this page but may not know me personally.
Hi! My name is Shania Pahlke-Clay, and I am the owner and Architectural Technologist behind Deer Haven Design & Drafting.
I’ve been working in the drafting industry for nearly 10 years. I graduated with honours from NAIT’s Architectural and Interior Design Technology programs and later completed my diploma for Applied Science in Business Management through LDSBC.
Starting a business was never part of my original plan. After graduating, COVID changed a lot of things — opportunities looked different, plans shifted, but life kept moving forward. Somehow, this little business became the path I was meant to take, and it has been one of the greatest blessings and opportunities for myself and my family.
I grew up in a small town on a ranch, where I learned the value of hard work, showing up, helping others, and taking pride in what you create. Those values have shaped who I am, how I work, and the way I approach every project.
Over the years, Deer Haven Design has grown alongside my life. I became a wife, a mom to two beautiful children, and continued building a business that I truly love.
Being a small business owner is a unique journey. When you are the person behind every part of your business, the work doesn’t simply stop when the day ends. There are designs to create, emails to answer, clients to support, and dreams to help bring to life. For many working moms and small business owners, this is our reality.
This spring, after welcoming our daughter, I found myself reflecting on balance. I felt the pull between wanting to give my business everything I had and wanting to soak in every moment with my children while they are little. I found myself carrying guilt in both directions — guilt that I wasn’t always able to dedicate as much time to my business as I wanted, and guilt that I wasn’t always able to dedicate as much time to my children as I wanted.
The truth is, building a life that includes both motherhood and a business sometimes means getting creative. Right now, that often means my quiet work hours happen between 10 PM and 2 AM — during the moments after my children are asleep and the house is quiet. It isn’t always glamorous, but it is a season I’m grateful for.
I want my clients and future clients to know that being a mom does not lessen my commitment to my work. If anything, it strengthens it. I understand the importance of creating a home because I know what a home truly represents.
For me, a home has never just been walls and a roof. It is where families grow, where memories are made, where milestones are celebrated, and where life happens. That is why I take so much pride in helping people create spaces that reflect who they are and how they live.
One of the things I hope my children see as they grow is that dreams take work. I hope they see their mom create, problem-solve, serve others, and chase something she believes in — while also being present for the moments that matter most.
I also believe strongly in supporting small businesses. Behind every small business is a real person, a family, a story, and a reason they started. When you support a small business, you aren’t just supporting a service — you are supporting someone’s hard work, dedication, and the life they are trying to build.
Every client who chooses to work with a small business like mine makes a bigger impact than they may realize. Every project, referral, message, and word of encouragement helps support a dream that started with a single step.
My slogan is “Make It More Than A Dream,” and that applies to more than just my clients’ projects. It applies to life.
I want to create homes that people dream about. I want to be present for my family. I want to be a good wife, a good mom, a good friend, and an active part of my community.
Because dreams are not meant to replace life — they are meant to become part of it.
So whether you’re here because you’re dreaming about a new home, supporting a local business, or simply following along on this journey — thank you. I’m grateful you’re here.
