In this June 19, 2025, file photo, U.S. flags fly at the top of newly installed 100-foot-tall poles on the South and North Lawns of the White House in Washington, D.C. Kevin Carter/Getty Images, FILE
Katie and Wes Lyon proudly displayed the American flag they received as a wedding present outside their recently purchased residence in South Carolina, signifying the commencement of their marital life together.
Within a few months, the Stars and Stripes began to deteriorate. Katie Lyon stated that mold rapidly appeared on the fabric, and tears emerged along the seams.
Just down the road, Max Berry, a friend of Katie’s since their middle school years, was encountering the same issue. His flag had also become worn and ragged, she informed ABC News.
Allegiance co-founder Katie Lyon is shown at the NASCAR Allegiance 200 race.Allegiance Flag Supply
When she sought a replacement, she encountered an unforeseen obstacle: discovering a high-quality flag manufactured in America proved more challenging than anticipated.
“We genuinely couldn’t locate one,” she conveyed to ABC News. “Max, whom I grew up with, purchased a home just down the street from us and mentioned he was facing similar difficulties. So, we thought, perhaps we aren’t the only ones experiencing this problem.”
That pursuit marked the inception of Allegiance Flag Supply, a company based in North Charleston, South Carolina, which now produces approximately 5,000 flags weekly in anticipation of Flag Day and the United States’ 250th anniversary. Among their orders are flags destined for one of the nation’s most iconic addresses – 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., the White House.
The trio invested around $5,000 and launched a line of superior, American-made flags. The company continues to be owned by its three founders, with no external investors.
“Our objective was to create an American flag that supported American jobs and bolstered American manufacturing,” Lyon remarked.
In this screen grab from a commercial released by Allegiance Flag Supply, a flag is being sewn.Allegiance Flag Supply
Prior to launching their website in August 2018, the founders shared that they dedicated years to testing materials and endeavoring to craft a flag that was sufficiently robust to withstand the elements yet light enough to fly properly.
“We presumed that if we created a website, customers would naturally come, but that’s not how it unfolded,” Lyon told ABC News.
“How do we manage advertisements? How do we understand Meta’s platforms? How do we connect with our clientele? Who is our target demographic? It wasn’t until around 2020 that we began to see substantial sales, and indeed, over the past six years since 2020, we’ve experienced what could be described as ‘hockey stick’ growth.”
Initially, Allegiance collaborated with various sewing establishments across the nation.
In this June 19, 2025, file photo, U.S. flags fly at the top of newly installed 100-foot-tall poles on the South and North Lawns of the White House in Washington, D.C.Kevin Carter/Getty Images, FILE
As demand escalated, so did concerns regarding inventory limitations and quality assurance, prompting the founders to bring production entirely in-house.
In October 2021, the company inaugurated its own manufacturing facility in North Charleston.
“When you aren’t the one sewing it and you’re dependent on various sources nationwide, that’s not the operational and growth strategy we envisioned,” Lyon stated.
Presently, Allegiance reports employing over 120 individuals and operates from a 75,000-square-foot office and warehouse space in North Charleston.
Materials traverse multiple states before the flags are ultimately assembled in South Carolina.
Given that numerous applicants lacked sewing proficiency, Allegiance established its own sewing training initiative. The company indicates it also collaborates with a local organization that assists individuals in reintegrating into society post-incarceration. Lyon mentioned that approximately 75 individuals have completed the program, with some acquiring sewing skills while others have been trained in order fulfillment and other vocational trades.
“Education is something that cannot be taken away from a person,” Lyon commented.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Allegiance continues its expansion. In May, the company sponsored the Allegiance 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Nashville Superspeedway and is launching #RaiseTheFlag250, a campaign urging Americans and businesses to display American-made flags from Flag Day through Independence Day.
Allegiance’s domestically produced national television advertisements have captured the attention of many Americans, including President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump checks products at a business stand during a Small Business Summit in the East Room of the White House, in Washington, D.C., on May 4, 2026.Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images
During a White House Small Business Summit on May 4, Lyon stated that Allegiance was selected as one of six companies to meet directly with Trump.
In the course of that meeting, Trump inquired if the company could provide the large American flags flown at the White House, in addition to other flags displayed throughout the complex.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
The visit represented Lyon’s inaugural experience inside the White House and her first encounter with a president.
Lyon affirmed that the company maintains a nonpartisan stance and serves any individual or entity wishing to display an American flag.
“We are bipartisan,” she declared. “We supply flags to anyone interested in flying an American flag at their residence, irrespective of what that signifies to them.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com