卡尔加里牛仔节热闹背后，这才是城市的另一面

每年七月，卡尔加里（Calgary）最令人期待的时刻，非“Stampede牛仔节（Calgary Stampede）”莫属。
这个被誉为“世界最伟大的户外表演”的节日，吸引了数十万人来到卡尔加里，共同庆祝这场持续十天的狂欢。无论是烟花、游行、牛仔竞技，还是随处可见的牛仔帽和人山人海，整座城市都沉浸在节日的欢乐与狂欢中。

但你是否知道？就在不远处，还有另一种“热闹”在悄悄发生——

🚧 一座座刚刚立起的墙，一块块堆叠的砖石， 悄然构建着这座城市的未来。

这是另一种节奏，也是这座城市的双面人生：

• 一面是喧闹的节日，一面是默默无声的建设；

• 一面是短暂的狂欢，一面是持续的成长。

对我们来说，牛仔节不仅是一个庆典，更是一个提醒：

• 城市之美，不仅来自闪耀的时刻，更来自每一块砖、每一次浇筑。

• 成长与改变，从不间断。

我们用镜头记录下这片卡尔加里在建的城市风景， 这是属于我们眼中的卡尔加里（Calgary）——一座不断建设、不断进步的城市。

From Engineer to Builder: My Journey as a Chinese Woman in Canadian Construction

Hi, I’m Eva — a licensed Professional Engineer in Alberta, and the founder of Raynow Homes, a Calgary-based construction and real estate development company.

This is the story of how I went from working in oil & gas to designing and building homes across Alberta, starting with just one goal: to build a “retirement rental” for passive income.

From Engineer to Builder: My Journey as a Chinese Woman in Canadian Construction

📘 The Beginning

In 2010, I came to Alberta with a full scholarship to study engineering at the University of Alberta. After graduation, I joined a top-tier engineering and construction firm in the energy sector and later earned my P.Eng license. Everything was on track — until I started asking myself:

“What does freedom look like?”

I thought I’d build a small rental to retire early and enjoy life as a “landlord lady.” But once I stepped into the world of construction, I realized — this industry is both fascinating and full of problems that need fixing.

🔨 My First Project

In 2019, I began building my own rental in Banff, a highly regulated area inside a national park. As I worked with trades, designers, and inspectors, I discovered three pain points:

• Designers were too artistic — ignoring practical constraints.

• Engineers stuck to theory — struggling with real-world problem-solving.

• Builders varied wildly in quality — fancy facades, poor construction.

With my background in design, management, and communication, I knew I could do better.

So, I did.

👷 Challenges as a Woman in Construction

When I first started visiting job sites, I felt completely out of place. I was often the only woman — and a Chinese immigrant to boot. I was underestimated, talked down to, and sometimes mistaken for an assistant or translator.

But instead of pushing back, I asked questions, solved problems, and earned trust. I used my technical edge to help builders on-site — and they began to treat me as a real partner.

Over time, I realized my “weakness” was actually a strength:

• I listened to families and tenants more carefully.

• I designed spaces that reflected real use, not just aesthetics.

• I helped investor clients balance rentability, resale value, and maintenance.

These differences helped me build a loyal client base and a growing reputation.

🏗️ Fast Forward to Now

In 4 years, Raynow Homes has:

• Completed over 50 rental units in Calgary and Banff

• Renovated more than 10 existing homes

• Delivered townhouses, duplexes, garage suites, basement suites, and even custom homes

• Grown from one woman’s side project to a licensed, trusted Alberta builder

We now serve families, investors, and developers across Calgary, Banff, and Canmore — offering full-service construction, CMHC-backed rental development, and project design support.

💬 Why I’m Sharing This

Construction is still a tough industry — especially for newcomers, women, and immigrants. But with the right tools, mindset, and support, I believe more people can thrive here.

That’s why I’ve decided to start blogging: to share lessons learned, help others avoid mistakes, and open doors that were once closed to me.

If you’re interested in:

• Building your first rental or custom home

• Investing in Calgary or Banff property

• Learning about CMHC multi-family programs

• Or just following a real woman’s journey in a male-dominated field…

📩 Follow me or get in touch — I’d love to connect.