Jason Siesel, co-owner of Casual Cushion Corp. (Rock Hill, South Carolina), found himself face to face with President Donald Trump during the opening day of Made in America Week in July. The White House hosted companies for a product showcase that highlighted each state’s commitment to U.S.–made products.

Siesel was packing his wares at the ICA Preview Show™when he was called by a staff member of a South Carolina legislator. The caller asked about Casual Cushion, and Siesel explained that his company sources more than 90% of its raw materials from the Carolinas and has a commitment to making products in the United States.

“I thought it was a prank call, at first,” Siesel says. The caller told him that he might be hearing more about Made in America week. “The next thing you know, I got a call from the White House,” he adds.

The White House staffer made the official invitation, and the company quickly made products in red, white, and blue to take to the event. After background checks and vetting, Siesel; his brother, Mike; and Casual Cushion staff members went to Washington. They were led to a place with many dining chairs and told that 500 cushions for them were needed. Siesel reports, “We are now sending out fabric samples, so we are going to be able to quote 500 cushions to the White House for some of its dining chairs.”

On the event’s opening day, the Siesels networked with other manufacturers (as well as with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Commerce) before meeting Trump. “The president came and asked us about our products. We told him it was an incredible honor to have been selected,” Siesel says. Vice President Mike Pence thanked the company for making its products in the United States