President’s Blog

From Garage to Glass Legacy: The Sowards Family Journey

At Silver Lake Bank, we’re proud to support businesses that grow with purpose, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. Sowards Glass is one such business — a family-run company that has been transformed from a garage-based operation into a trusted name in commercial glasswork, all while staying true to its values.

Founded in 1992 by Keith Sowards, the business began with a simple mission: fix windows for local apartment complexes and do it right. With each job, Keith earned the trust of his customers. By 1995, Sowards Glass had become a Chapter S Corporation, and in 2000, his wife Linda officially joined the business, managing the books and helping guide the company through a period of steady growth.

“We still remember when we hit our first $100,000 in business,” Keith says. “Back then, we were just a mom-and-pop shop. Now, we’re doing multi-million-dollar projects. It’s been an incredible journey.”

But for the Sowards, it was never about the money or chasing growth. “We have a very strong faith,” Keith shares. “We’ve never chased the work. Instead, we live with honesty and integrity—and the rest of it takes care of itself.”

That philosophy has served them well. Today, Sowards Glass has worked on 60 to 70% of the commercial buildings in the Topeka area, with a growing footprint in Kansas City. Yet, they remain humble. “We like flying under the radar,” Keith says.

Their success is rooted in careful decision-making and financial discipline. “We are always cautious in our decisions,” Keith explains. “We don’t jump fast. We don’t make decisions lightly because it affects our employees, it’s not just about us.” He adds, “We leave the money in the company so we can grow. You must be careful with finances because the business can come down a lot faster than it took to build it up.”

Linda adds, “Our biggest mistake over the years was not getting more key people in place sooner. Fortunately, we learned from our mistakes.”

The Sowards also credit their success to surrounding themselves with trusted professionals. “The best advice we’ve been given is to make sure you know and trust three individuals—your banker, your insurance agent, and a good accountant. We’ve tried to do that,”

Keith says. Linda emphasizes another cornerstone of their business: honesty. “We believe in being honest and fair with all our customers. If there’s ever a problem with a job, we’ll go out and fix it. That’s just who we are.”

Today, daughters Jess and Melissa are gradually taking over the reins. “We’ve been very lucky,” says Jess. “My sister and I share the same values and financial philosophy as our parents, so the transition hasn’t been difficult. They trust us, and we trust them to do what’s best for each other and the business.”

Melissa plays a critical role behind the scenes. She is responsible for accounts receivable, accounting, and taxes—ensuring the financial health and compliance of the business. Her attention to detail and steady hand has helped Sowards Glass maintain its strong financial foundation through every phase of growth.

Jess, who leads hiring and personnel relations, is focused on building a strong team for the future. “We look for people who genuinely enjoy the construction industry,” she says. “From there depending on their experience level, we put them on a 2- to 4-year training track. It’s about investing in people who want to grow with us.”

Succession planning, they’ve learned, requires flexibility. “One of the most important elements is having a willingness to change and adapt,” Jess notes.

For Keith, one of the hardest parts of growth was learning to let go. “Learning to delegate was tough,” he admits. “But it was inevitable. The business is bigger—and more automated—than we could have ever imagined.”

Still, one thing that’s hard to replace is Keith’s passion for the industry. “I’ve loved going to work every day,” he says. And that passion won’t be lost. Jess, who thrives on putting the right people in the right places, has no doubt she’ll find a part-time role for her dad—one that allows him to keep sharing his love for the craft and the company he built.

At Silver Lake Bank, we’re honored to be part of the Sowards Glass journey and proud to support businesses that reflect the best of our community: faith, family, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Q3 2025 Newsletter