Combat veteran Brian Steorts launched Flags of Valor in 2015, establishing a business dedicated to American-made flags while creating employment opportunities for fellow veterans. His company stands as a testament to patriotism and domestic manufacturing in an age when many products are made overseas.
Steorts, who served in combat before founding his flag-making enterprise, has built the company around core American values. “We believe in the American supply chain, the American worker and the American spirit,” Steorts stated, highlighting the company’s commitment to domestic production and workforce development.
Veterans Supporting Veterans
Flags of Valor doesn’t just manufacture patriotic symbols—it provides meaningful employment for American veterans transitioning to civilian life. The company has created a business model that addresses two challenges: maintaining domestic manufacturing capabilities while supporting former military personnel seeking new careers.
By employing veterans to create symbols of national pride, Steorts has created a full-circle approach to patriotism—veterans making products that honor the country they served. This approach has resonated with consumers looking to support both American manufacturing and veteran causes.
American-Made Commitment
In contrast to many competitors who outsource production, Flags of Valor maintains strict adherence to American manufacturing. Every step of the production process occurs domestically, from sourcing raw materials through the final assembly of their wooden flags and patriotic decor.
This commitment comes with challenges. American manufacturing typically involves higher costs than overseas alternatives, but Steorts has built a business model that makes this approach viable. The company’s success demonstrates that consumers are willing to pay premium prices for products with authentic American origins and craftsmanship.
Business Growth and Market Response
Since its founding in 2015, Flags of Valor has expanded its product line beyond traditional flags to include various patriotic wooden art pieces and decor items. The company has found success through both direct-to-consumer sales and partnerships with retailers interested in American-made products.
Key factors contributing to the company’s growth include:
- Strong emphasis on quality craftsmanship
- Authentic connection to military service
- Transparent manufacturing processes
- Growing consumer interest in American-made goods
The business has tapped into a market segment of consumers who prioritize domestic manufacturing and veteran support in their purchasing decisions. This approach has allowed Flags of Valor to carve out a distinctive position in the home decor and patriotic merchandise markets.
Challenges of Domestic Manufacturing
Maintaining an all-American supply chain presents significant challenges in today’s global economy. Many manufacturers have moved production overseas to reduce costs, making it difficult to source certain materials and components domestically.
Steorts and his team have had to be creative in building relationships with American suppliers and developing manufacturing processes that remain economically viable while staying true to their mission. Their persistence demonstrates that American manufacturing can still compete in select markets, particularly when connected to strong values and authentic stories.
The company’s success offers a case study in how businesses can leverage patriotism and social mission as competitive advantages in the marketplace. By connecting product quality with values like veteran support and American manufacturing, Flags of Valor has found a formula that resonates with consumers seeking meaning in their purchases.
As the company continues to grow, it stands as an example of how entrepreneurship can combine business success with social impact and national values. For Steorts and his team, making flags isn’t just about creating products—it’s about honoring American ideals through American craftsmanship.
