Breaking Ground in Construction Technology
Tamara Aspeling has worked in the fence industry for over 25 years. Over the course of her career, previous roles included Project Manager, Estimator, Web Developer, and Freelance Writer. Her husband Marc is a tradesperson and CAD operator. Tamara had no idea, that these combined roles would one day, bring their skills together in a remarkable way!
Tamara was aware of some realities in the industry that were hindrances. For example, there are limited experts available to create technical drawings, and a growing need for those drawings. Draw A Fence was inspired one day in August 2024, in Drumheller, Alberta, when Tamara was using a legal form generator to assist with some work projects. She wondered if it would be possible to create fence drawings in the same way. Together, she and Marc set out to produce them.
Using their coding experience, they built a website, and created the first prototype, a one-of-a-kind digital tool that could produce CAD professional fence drawings. Thanks to the digital prowess of online drawing generators, all that’s needed to “Draw A Fence” is to input information into their form, which then produces a drawing with professional, architect-ready specs.
While this tool does not replace the need for Auto CAD, Tamara saw her product as a potential income opportunity, a self-serve cost-saving option that would help people get the drawings they need. Tamara began telling people about the product and by October of that same year, they had their first paid subscribers. In 2025, Tamara and Marc continued building online drawings, expanding the options, and staying very much in constant development. Knowing they needed assistance to grow their business, Tamara and Marc reached out to Alberta Innovates, who introduced them to connections at other helpful organizations.
In late 2025, Tamara joined the Alberta Catalyzer pre-accelerator program, which operates with support of partners and organizations across the Alberta Innovation Network. Alberta Catalyzer is part of Alberta Innovates Scaleup and Growth Accelerator Program for early-stage companies to scale, grow and propel Alberta’s digital transformation. Tamara completed Catalyzer’s Traction and Velocity programs.
The architecture of confidence
Upon joining the Catalyzer program, Tamara recalls having confidence in their new product, that it would solve a problem and that there would be demand for it. However, getting enough people to know the product existed was not going to be easy. For Tamara, uncertainty did come later when discussions led to questions on capacity building. She says: “I didn’t know what I didn’t know. The program helped me organize thoughts and fill in some gaps.”
Tamara went into the Alberta Catalyzer Traction and Velocity programs with an open mind. At one point, her mentor suggested they provide forms for bid submissions and project management. This valuable input helped Draw A Fence expand their offerings. Tamara and Marc appreciated the connections made during the program, knowing that everyone must go through the same long process and are experiencing a shared reality.
Making Connections:
Tamara credits Jeff Horton - Catalyzer coach and RDP Startup Technology Leader as a great mentor. Tamara found that even with her experience, being in these programs was helpful to make connections and determine the right questions to ask. Tamara stays in touch with Catalyzer coach and mechanical engineer Lois Wride who really understood what they were doing and why. Tamara also participated in Alberta Innovates, has connected with Community Futures Drumheller, and utilizes inspiration from LinkedIn and YouTube to continue learning.
Tamara shares: “it’s both challenging and exhilarating, to be a woman in construction technology, in a role that allows her to make something out of nothing, and to solve a problem that fence companies are experiencing.” Since the Catalyzer program, Tamara and Marc have increased their brand awareness, including their social media following. Draw A Fence has various social channels, including You Tube, which features useful instructional videos. For now, they’re content to grow follower numbers slowly, devoting time to refinements, using current customer input and feedback.
Digital products can go anywhere their business can
Customers can use a free 7-day trial or choose a monthly or annual plan. Draw A Fence is available to a limitless customer base in Canada and The U.S., solving the problems of architects, engineers, clients and general contractors needing the documentation. They are currently serving customers in Canada and U.S. and there are potential opportunities with manufacturers and distributors.
Drafting the future - on demand
Tamara looks forward to the next chapter for their business, where they are working full-time for Draw A Fence, and discontinuing their side jobs. Other milestones would be to increase their website user counts and recurring revenue, plus see Draw A Fence recognized as the single best fence drawing tool. Tamara shares that they plan to launch additional site versions in the UK, South Africa, and Australia - focusing on English speaking countries first. She has contacts in all these countries who can provide insights on which products would be in highest demand.
Tamara recommends the Alberta Catalyzer program, pointing you in the right direction of mentors and resources. Plus, it’s helpful to know other entrepreneurs in the same boat who are learning and growing their businesses.
The Catalyst Incubator is a similar Central Alberta program offered through Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network (CARIN), free to eligible entrepreneurs. This unique, cohort-based incubator program helps foster new ideals, make critical connections, and helps start-up businesses in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, energy innovation, and more.
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