A powerful journey from the glazing industry to founding multiple ventures driven by resilience, faith, and a mission to empower women through community and storytelling.
Her Story
About Melinda Kay
Melinda Kay Silva is the owner of Legends Glass Solutions, a Division 8 commercial glazing contractor based in San Antonio, Texas, serving clients throughout San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Since founding the company in 2023, she has built it into a full-service operation specializing in high-rise glass repair, commercial storefront systems, curtain walls, architectural hardware, and residential glass remodeling. Her path to ownership began decades earlier, in 2003, when she entered the trade as a glazer, steadily working her way from field roles into estimating and business leadership through hands-on experience and industry relationships. Silva's story is defined as much by personal resilience as professional achievement. Having left home at the age of nine, she taught herself much of what she knows, later earning her GED and currently pursuing an Associates in Estimator through ASPE. As one of a small percentage of women who own businesses in construction, she has had to work to earn credibility in a field long dominated by older, established male contractors, often finding common ground with them through her own background. Guided early on by her mentor Frank Gutierrez, who not only is her husband but Partner. He taught her the importance of balancing her energy and avoiding burnout, Silva has carried that same philosophy forward as she looks to grow the company into new markets, including Corpus Christi, while expanding into residential services and financing options for elderly and low-income clients. Beyond her business, Silva is active in mentorship and community service. She supports young women entering the construction industry through her involvement with Women Unlimited, and she gives back through regular donations to Sam's Ministry and Haven for Hope, along with volunteer fundraising. Her leadership and community contributions have been recognized through several honors, including a Women in Leadership Acknowledgment and a Leadership & Community Impact Award. Rooted in her Christian faith and a strong sense of resilience, Silva continues to build her business on the same values that carried her through her early struggles: perseverance, service to others, and never forgetting where she came from.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melinda Kay
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence, self‑teaching, and my faith in God. My journey began with significant early challenges, and through determination I built my career from hands‑on field experience starting in 2003. I later earned my GED and am now pursuing my Associates in Estimator through ASPE. I’ve grown through the support of my husband, my community, and the professional organizations that have encouraged me along the way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I ever received came from my mentor, Frank, who taught me the importance of balance and being intentional with my energy. His guidance helped me understand how to grow without burning myself out.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
This industry demands grit, confidence, and resilience. My advice to young women is to push through every obstacle, stay focused on your goals, and tune out anyone who doubts your abilities. When you believe in yourself and stay committed, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is earning credibility in a traditionally male‑dominated, old‑school environment. Working with engineers, building owners, and long‑established contractors requires consistency, confidence, and the ability to build rapport — especially with those who value experience above all else.
At the same time, there are major opportunities ahead. Residential glazing continues to grow, and expanding into markets like Dallas and Corpus Christi will strengthen our reach. I also see real potential in offering internal financing options to better support elderly and low‑income customers, making quality glazing services more accessible to the communities we serve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are faith, integrity, and service. I believe in showing up with honesty, treating people with respect, and doing what’s right even when it’s difficult. My faith keeps me grounded, my work ethic keeps me consistent, and my commitment to serving others — whether customers, employees, or my community — keeps me moving with purpose. These values shape every decision I make and every relationship I build.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Melinda Kay
Rising Through Purpose: How Faith, Resilience, and Legacy Shaped My Journey
From Glazing to Grace: How Faith, Loss, and Purpose Built a Legacy of Empowerment
My Story Begins with Resilience
I entered the glazing industry with no roadmap, relying on grit, self-teaching, and my faith in God. Over the years, I worked my way through field roles, estimating, and leadership until I founded Legends Glass Solutions—a company built from determination and a desire to create stability for my family.
Losing My Mother Changed the Direction of My Life
Instead of letting grief stop me, I turned it into purpose. I created Angels Designs, a fashion and beauty brand dedicated to her memory. Every product reflects her light—feminine, radiant, and rooted in faith.
As My Businesses Grew, So Did My Calling to Empower Women
That calling became Women Unlimited, a movement designed to uplift women who are rebuilding, dreaming, or fighting silent battles. Through community, storytelling, and leadership, I aim to show women that courage is contagious—when one woman rises, others rise too.
My journey is proof that influence isn't about titles. It's about impact, legacy, and choosing to rise again and again.
And I'm only getting started.
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