Bettina Braisted is the owner of a small business off of Route 1 in Madison which specializes in making flags called The Sailbag Lady.
Having been in business for 43 years, she is quite knowledgeable about all the things flags can be used for. She has made flags for birthdays, graduations, weddings, sailing clubs, businesses, trumpets, and even sent a flag to the International Space Station in honor of the lives lost from military service.
All her flags are made with sailing quality fabric that allows them to last long, flying in either the salty air or floating in low gravity. .
She has her captain license and still sails today, which is how she got her start into the business. An incredibly timed opportunity allowed her to start making flags full time, and a sincere drive and work ethic has kept it afloat for years after. The Cruising Club of America (CCA) members are regular customers using her flags to keep up the tradition of flying their club flag on their boats.
As one of the only “flag lady” around, her business and her contributions in Madison and the greater Shoreline area will be missed as she prepares for retirement.
