BUTLER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Butler businessman has spent more than 30 years building a company around one of America's most recognizable symbols. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, business in Butler is booming.

Every American flag starts with the same, simple pieces. It's meticulous work, but Thomas D’Amico believes a symbol like this deserves nothing less.

“The stripes have to be cut to the correct width so that when it’s folded over it comes out correctly,” said D’Amico.

He's been thinking about the details since 1995.

“The internet was just starting, and people were just starting to tell things on the internet and I saw a niche,” said D’Amico.

That niche became American Flags Express. Now, nearly three decades later, demand is soaring.

“It has been crazy busy and that started in January, February,” said D’Amico.

The company began preparing for America's 250th anniversary two years ago, and this year sales have climbed 83%.

“It’s been a very busy year,” said D’Amico.

Making a flag that lasts takes more than just sewing.

“The aerodynamics of a flag is something that is overlooked by a lot of people,” said D’Amico.

The smallest flag here only weighs a handful of ounces while the largest flag here weighs 130 pounds. Even the bases that support the flagpoles are engineered to stay put.

“There’s actually dozens of them at the white house,” said D’Amico.

“The president doesn’t want to stand at a location and see the flag tip over, so this is almost impossible to tip over.”

D’Amico’s flags have made their way across the nation and seas, even landing on the beaches of Normandy.

“It really is a sense of pride,” said D’Amico.

It’s a symbol that represents the strength of this nation – and the years democracy has stood tall.

“To me it stands for the past of our democracy and where we are now and where we’re headed,” said D’Amico.