May 14, 2025 — Towards the end of last year, some NTCA members and staff formed a Mental Health Task Force to explore options in supporting the mental health and fitness of the tile contractor and industry community, spurred by the devastating impact of the death by suicide of esteemed industry friend and contractor Mike Soho.
At a meeting during TISE in January, the group developed a core concept – mindset matters: – to start building programming around. Task force members include: Ron Nash, LATICRETE; NTCA board members Gianna Vallefuoco, Vallefuoco Contractors LLC; Megan Garvey, Welch Tile & Marble; Matt Blood, Paragon Tile Installation; plus Janice Hill Daigle of D.W. Sanders Tile & Stone Contracting; Megan Renk, Mosaix Tile & Installation Services; and NTCA staffers Jeremy Sax, Elena Grant and Lesley Goddin.
Nash developed an initial mindset matters: logo and established a fundraiser of wearables sporting that logo on April 29 – hoodies, and long and short sleeved t-shirts. $20 from the purchase of each wearable was donated to a designated fund the NTCA has established for these donations and future endeavors to promote and support mental health. “This could be used to bring in speakers on this topic, or it could be used to support NTCA members impacted by mental health issues, such as suicide or loss,” said NTCA Executive Director Bart Bettiga.
The 15-day fundraiser raised $3,580 from the sale of 179 pieces of wearable merchandise These Founding Members of mindset matters: also own limited editions wearables, since the inaugural logo was retired at end of the campaign. A new version 2 logo – designed by Nash to be clearer for print and to more deftly convey the essence of the movement — is owned by Lesley Goddin and has, with her permission, become the official logo of the movement and the group.
On May 5, Nash also established a mindset matters: Facebook group. The group is a space for those who believe that mental fitness is as important as physical fitness and are eager to explore tools, techniques and habits that strengthen mindset. Group members engage in discussion and journaling prompts, share about meditation, philosophy and community support. A virtual “summer camp” is just getting started on the group, offering more opportunity to journey into mental health, wellness and vitality together. Group members also share their stories, offer and receive support and post photos, memes, and links related to mental wellness and fitness.
“We’re only beginning,” Nash said in a video announcement in the mindset matters: Facebook group today. “The campfire just started, so we’re going to be doing a lot of fun things together. I cannot wait to share this journey with you…Let’s keep the fire going. Mindset matters for sure. Mental health awareness matters. Community will always win. You’re welcome here…We’re doing great things right out of the gate, and there’s only 100 of us. Imagine what we’ll do when there’s 10,000 of us…Thank you for your support. Mindset matters.”
To join the mindset matters: community, and start growing, thriving and reflecting together, visit https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1APw7dXNjW/.
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
