The name Seaway was inspired by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System, a massive network that connects local ports to the rest of the world. Living in Port Washington on the coast of Lake Michigan, it felt like the perfect fit for us. Around here, the water isn't just scenic, it's part of the region's story. It's how goods move, how communities grow, and how small places can make a big impact.
That same idea drives what we do. Just like the Seaway connects small ports to something much larger, we help local businesses access tools and opportunities that used to feel out of reach.
Seaway is more than just a name. It's a reflection of where we're from and what we believe in: helping small businesses stay connected, grow stronger, and take on the world with confidence.
I'm Eric Thomas, the founder of Seaway Technologies.
I grew up in the Midwest, studied Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Iowa, and spent over a decade in Big Tech as a lead technical architect helping healthcare organizations integrate medical devices into their records systems; complex projects where the details really matter.
But over time, I started feeling the pull in a different direction. I watched Big Tech expand into communities like mine in ways that felt more divisive than helpful. I grew uncomfortable with how casually user data gets treated as a commodity. And honestly? I wanted to build something of my own.
So I left.
In 2023, my wife Shannon and I moved from Kansas City to Port Washington, WI and pretty quickly fell in love with it. The restaurants, the shops, the waterfront, the people running small businesses who clearly pour everything into what they do. Shannon has a strong background in branding and design, and I bring the technical side. Together, that felt like something useful.
From that, Seaway was born. A technology company that's actually a part of the community it serves. One that takes your privacy seriously, treats you like a neighbor, and cares about your success.
Shannon grew up in Wisconsin, so moving to Port Washington felt less like starting over and more like coming home. She brings a background that spans exercise physiology, branding, and social media. While that might sound like an unlikely combination, it all points in the same direction: understanding what connects with people and why.
Before Seaway, she managed social media and branding for a wedding planning company, an industry where aesthetics aren't optional and first impressions are everything. That experience sharpened her eye in ways that translate directly to helping local businesses look and feel like the best version of themselves. Where I see systems, she sees stories. It's a good balance.
A good boy.