Aaron Ladd

Aaron’s work sits at the intersection of technology, marketing, and the everyday needs of business owners. bluewaterCODE began in downtown Port Huron, where working closely with local restaurants and businesses helped shape the company’s hands-on approach.

From freelance work to a company

With support from Kanchan Wankhede and the teams behind the Eastern Michigan Small Business Network and Propeller, Aaron developed bluewaterCODE from freelance work into a company offering multiple services. Propeller’s published founder reference describes that transition and the role of the local business-support community.

Building beyond the website

The company’s portfolio spans websites, social media, branding, restaurant ordering, and technical projects. At The Wrigley Center, Aaron worked alongside Larry Jones to help build the arcade, program equipment, and troubleshoot technical issues. That project connects physical experiences with the digital work that helps people discover them.

Through bluewaterCODE, Aaron’s restaurant technology work includes ClickPlate, the company’s online ordering and marketing product. The broader software offering includes web applications, dashboards, customer portals, internal systems, and integrations.

Connected to the region

bluewaterCODE’s portfolio includes restaurants, local businesses, and economic-development organizations. Work with The Underground and the Eastern Michigan Small Business Network reflects that connection to the region’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

In a January 13, 2025 Times Herald article about the Economic Development Alliance’s future relationship with St. Clair County, Aaron was identified as bluewaterCODE’s founder and quoted in support of the organization’s role in helping him start his business. Read the Times Herald article.