Changing the world, one idea at a time.
About Don Yee
The Curious Kid Who Never Stopped Tinkering
Some people can trace their career back to a single moment. Mine goes back to the age of 10.
I was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in a household that didn't have much—but had everything that mattered. My parents emigrated from China, working in restaurant kitchens to build a life in Canada. My dad came first, working in a Chinese food restaurant, and my mom joined him a few years later. When my dad's brother invited them to open a restaurant together in Edmonton, we moved for my Grade 4 year. The restaurant did well, but not well enough to support both families, so we moved again—this time to Oliver, BC, a tiny town that would change everything.
Even before Oliver, I was that kid. The one taking things apart to see how they worked. The one always asking "why did they build it this way?" and "why not build it stronger, more efficient, better?" I couldn't help myself—curiosity and tinkering were in my DNA.
The Teacher Who Changed Everything
Then came Grade 6, and a teacher who saw something in me.
While other classes followed the standard curriculum, our teacher had us building spaghetti bridges, then real wood structures strong enough to hold us kids. We learned basic electronics, not from textbooks, but by making things work with our hands. Those projects were fundamental to my growth—they showed me that engineering wasn't just an idea, it was something you did.
That's when I knew. This was my path.
Building My Foundation
Fast forward through high school—another pivotal period where everything clicked into place—and I pursued what I loved:
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Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma from Okanagan College, Kelowna, BC
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Mechanical Engineering Degree from Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
But education was just the beginning. Over the past 15 years, I've worked hands-on in manufacturing and design for companies across the Okanagan and beyond—from Millennium Specialty Alloys and Crown West Steel Fabricators to Ironside Design Manufacturing, MEC Engineering Consulting, and more. Every role taught me something new. Every project sharpened my skills.
And here's what I'm most proud of: I'm still on good terms with every single employer and client. The kind of relationships where I can call someone after years of no contact and pick up right where we left off. That doesn't happen by accident—it happens through respect, transparency, and delivering real value.
What I Actually Do
I'm a Mechanical Engineer who specializes in manufacturing and design. But here's what makes me different:
I build things myself. I'm not just drawing up plans and handing them off—I have real-world experience getting my hands dirty, solving problems on the floor, and understanding what actually works versus what looks good on paper.
I'm not always right, and I'm good with that. I'm genuinely humble enough to admit when I'm wrong, because learning and getting better outcomes is always the goal. If criticism makes the project better, bring it on.
I'm a value-added engineer. There's a saying that engineers will solve problems you didn't know you had, or solve things that didn't need solving. I'm probably both—but definitely more of the first. I work with clients on feasibility, and if I can't provide the best service for your specific case, I'll happily point you in a better direction.
I work with you, not just for you. I'm not a "take your money and disappear" type of person. I care about mutually beneficial relationships and stakeholder success—clients, end users, everyone involved in the process.
Why Now? Why My Own Business?
Right now, I'm at a pivotal point: launching my own brick-and-mortar business for manufacturing, design, and engineering services—plus developing my own products to sell direct to customers and retailers.
Why? Because I want to work the way I believe business should work:
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Faster turnaround for clients who need it (especially as I'm building my new client base)
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Flexibility beyond 9-to-5 because I love this work and want to accommodate client schedules
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Local focus—keeping things in Canada and building community relationships throughout the Okanagan
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Transparency and trust as the foundation of everything
The Okanagan: Where I Work Hard and Play Harder
I'm based in Kelowna, BC, but I call the entire Okanagan Valley home. This is a rare place where you have access to world-class outdoor activities—rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding—while also being a manufacturing and tech hub for the BC interior. Raw materials come in easily from the BC coast, and I have strong working and personal relationships with people and businesses throughout the valley.
The "work hard, play harder" mentality isn't just a saying for me—it's how I live.
Beyond Engineering: Giving Back
Here's the thing about me: I give mentorship to everyone in my life.
Why? Because I was raised to bring others up with me. People took me under their wing and invested their time and energy into making me who I am today. It took a village. Now I'm creating my own village and, honestly, I want to be the chief—because I wish I had someone like me as a mentor when I was younger.
I also give back to my community in tangible ways. Rock climbing changed my life, so I help break down barriers for people getting into the sport. I even built a climbing crag with a friend—investing our own time, blood, sweat, tears, and money—because the climbing community is built on people contributing for others to enjoy. I wanted to honor that tradition.
The Human Factor
At the end of the day, I recognize we're all human—with strengths, flaws, good days, and bad days.
Business is business because it has to be. Money is a driving factor, and we all need to afford to eat. But I'm good at separating the transactional side from the human side, and working with both in mind. I communicate casually, with humor and honesty, because I'd rather show you who I am at my core than put on a face that's "required."
My core values? Respect. Trust. Transparency. Mutually beneficial relationships. Building local community.
Let's Work Together
My goal is simple: for everyone to win and succeed together as much as possible.
Whether you need design work, manufacturing solutions, feasibility consulting, or just someone to talk through an idea—I'm here to add value and solve problems.
But here's my ask: let's meet in person, or at minimum, jump on a video call. Emails and texts are great for quick info, but the human aspect—voice, mannerisms, real connection—that's where the best relationships and outcomes happen.
Ready to build something great together?