Those who know Brian Nustad’s story fondly – and rightly so – call him “The Flag Guy”.
The Carver man, who survived two strokes, says he is simply blessed.
“I just have to thank God every day for what happened; for what he did. Nobody could have ever imagined all this,” said Nustad, passionate, exuberant and quick. “I really don’t know how to describe it except that I believe I’m helping people one flag at a time. I see this as my mission.
The handcrafted wooden “flags” measure: 19 by 33 inches; weigh about 9 pounds; coated with high quality stains and finishes; nailed together; and all made in Nustad’s garage.
The flags were sold nationwide, with each reason for purchase being as unique as each flag.
“It’s the stories of the people who bought them that are so moving,” Nustad said, wiping away tears. “They mean so much to these people. They each have their own reasons for getting one. I’m just humbled and honored to be a part of this.
“I’m excited now every day to get up and get started,” he said, spreading his arms and showing piles of wooden pieces as well as completed flags. “There are times during the night, like 3 a.m. or something, when I can’t sleep, so I’ll come here and work on the flags. It’s so rewarding.
Nustad, who turned 63 on May 12, suffered his first stroke in 2010 and his second shortly after being laid off from a longtime job in 2019.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do,” he admitted. “I was living off my 401 and really had no idea how I was going to get out of it.”
Then, a reading in his prayer book inspired him.
“I had wood in that garage, but I really didn’t know what to do with it. I had parents who were great carpenters, but that wasn’t me,” he said. “Then I read a prayer in my prayer book about using your hands and creating works of art with your hands with the help of God.
“That was it,” Nustad pointed out, pointing up. “Wooden flags seemed like the way to go and it’s been a wild ride ever since. I could never have imagined all of this!
Nustad said he was “blown away” by the response from friends and neighbors who showed up at his garage to help him.
“People showed up and I didn’t know what to do with them,” he said with a broad smile. “They just wanted to help. They are the ones who saved me. »
Nustad made around 100 flags in four days. Now, with some burnt, painted, and decorated wood, he can assemble a flag in just minutes. The pieces, made of Ponderosa pine, are nailed together for greater stability.
There are four types of flags available: Rustic American Glory, a red, white and blue flag; a Blue Line flag to honor the police; a Red Line flag to honor firefighters; and a Green Line flag to honor the military.
Nustad said he makes an average of 10 to 15 phone calls a day about the flags, with many expressing their thanks for his work and what the flags mean to them.
“I don’t know how to react to some of these incredible stories,” he said. People call me to tell me that flags change their lives. A woman bought 20 of them, five of them for family members.
There are a number of additional comments on the flags and their individual meanings posted on the Nustad site in the MyStore section of the MyPillow website.
Christina Cole, COO of MyStore, recalls an employee walking into her office telling her that Nustad was outside and wanted to sign up to be on the MyStore platform.
“To be honest, some people thought it might be some kind of joke; I mean, a guy who makes these flags in his garage,” Cole said. “Well, if you go to this website now, there are hundreds and hundreds of testimonials from people who love their story, love their product, love the quality, and love their flag.
“Talk about the American dream,” she added. “Here’s a guy who gets fired, has a (stroke) and says he’s not going to feel sorry for himself, but rather use his skills and fly these incredible flags in wood.Each seems to be more beautiful.
Each flag is unique, in part because each panel has its own characteristics.
Nustad sources its wood from Siwek Lumber & Millwork in Jordan. There are 17 pieces for each flag and there are five sizes that are pre-cut by Siwek’s, according to owner Dave Siwek.
“He just bought some wood, then some more, and now it’s just taken away for him,” Siwek said. “It’s exciting to hear his story; how he marketed it, from word of mouth, to social media and now his connection to the folks at MyPillow.
“It’s a cool product,” added Siwek. “You can have all the promotions you want, but if you don’t have a good product, it won’t continue. He has a good one.
Nustad made crosses that people use as commemorative markers and made flags of other countries. He recently made a Ukrainian flag at the request of Carver Mayor Courtney Johnson.
“In the beginning, I made rustic flags and gave them to veterans clubs and other places,” Nustad said. “It all just took off and now you see them in businesses or outside homes and businesses all over Carver and the area. It’s just an amazing feeling to see how other people like them and what it means to them.
Nustad, whose son Dru Nustad will assist him, will move his flag manufacturing plant to a larger building owned by Siwek Lumber in Jordan in May.
“I just want people to realize that it doesn’t matter who you are; what you have been through; you can do anything,” said Nustad, who is still struggling with some last-ditch effects. “Just get up and do it.”