Since 2010, one issue of Tileletter magazine annually amplifies and highlights the work that amazing women are doing within our industry. We initiated this feature in the October 2010 issue, but recently in the 15-year history of the Women in Tile issue, we moved our feature to March to coincide with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)’s Women in Construction Week. This year WIC Week takes place March 2-8, with the theme “Together We Rise.” The intent of this annual event is to celebrate and promote the role of women in the construction industry. Visit WICweek.org to discover the nationwide schedule of events held by NAWIC chapters.
In this issue, we talk with three women in different sectors of our tile and stone industry, learn a little about their journeys and how the industry is opening doors for women – or what obstacles remain.
Megan Garvey, Human Resources and Marketing Director for Welch Tile in Kent City, Mich., gives us a contractor perspective. She’s also the Region 5 Director of the NTCA Board, immersing herself with purpose in helping to not only lift up her company, but the industry as a whole.
Scottish lass Sheila Menzies, a self-described “tile nut” who co-founded the nonprofit charitable Tile Heritage Foundation (THF) with Joseph Taylor in 1987, serves as the Executive Director and Treasurer of the THF Board. She works tirelessly to preserve the history – and actual tiles – that form the basis for the tile industry we know today. THF serves the need for a historical perspective regarding all ceramic surfacing materials, both past and present, she said. It helps educate the public about the rich and varied history of tile, plus it’s a major voice in the preservation of existing installations of rare and unusual ceramic surfaces, while it enhances the visibility of contemporary tile work as well.
Leslie Del Pozo is Vice President of Marketing Communications of QEP Co., Inc., who sees her role as not only a liaison between her company and industry associations, but also acting as an advocate for both the company brand and for current and future installers. She’s dedicated to elevating and educating installers and supporting opportunities for them to shine, like the All-Women Certified Tile Installer test taking place on March 8, International Women’s Day, at Carpet and Tile Warehouse in Vero Beach, Fla.
Getting started
Our featured women took diverse paths in our industry. Garvey, mom to two very active boys, was drawn to her role by the people. After working on a few projects with Owner Dan Welch, she recognized the opportunities that existed to be involved with something “larger than myself,” she said. Her keen organizational skills supported her interaction with employees, vendors, distributors, and colleagues as she recognized the importance of communication. “I think as a woman, I naturally come to the table with the ‘people and heart’ side of things, first,” she said.
It was initially intimidating to return to the workforce after five years as a stay-at-home mom and marketing consultant, but adopting an “I can and I will” mindset was a game changer. She is confident about her innate talents that can’t be duplicated by anyone else – and she puts them to work. She also relished the personal and professional growth opportunities that came with being part of the first NTCA Emerging Leaders program, which is designed to help the industry thrive.
Menzies loved tiles since childhood in Scotland, when she entertained herself with the beautiful floral and story-telling Minton tiles surrounding her grandmother’s living room fireplace and Victorian art-tiles wainscot entryways in Glasgow tenement buildings. (tinyurl.com/GlasgowWallyCloses). As a craftswoman and mixed-media artist with well-developed people skills and a background in stage-set design, theater costuming and merchandising, she has “done exactly as she pleased,” never having to push harder as a woman (often times because she was the only woman in the job), and her mix of skills and experience opened the door for opportunities. A team player, she and partner Taylor have traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe to study, photograph, communicate about and preserve origins of the American tile industry since the 1870s.
“Fundamentally all historic and contemporary tile is about the people,” she said. “The ones who design and make it, market it, purchase it and install it. Tile installations are contemporary ‘cave paintings,’ giving great insight into our social structure – tile art installations speak!”
Del Pozo entered the flooring industry 27 years ago as a graphic designer for QEP, and inadvertently started learning about installation tools while designing packaging for QEP and Robert brands. She kept gathering information about flooring installation and tools as she advanced in the company. But it wasn’t until she started interacting directly with installers that she developed a passion “about supporting the people of the flooring installation community.”
Creative problem solving and being able to “pivot in the middle of chaos, especially during trade shows” are some of her superpowers. And she channels a woman’s ability to multitask, and see problems, opportunities, and consequences of decisions from multiple perspectives. This assists her in dealing with the needs of sales teams, warehouse employees, distributors and installers. Del Pozo’s confidence and influence ignited when she allowed herself to have a voice. “Once I stopped waiting for others to give me validation and I stopped worrying about who they thought I should be, I began understanding who I am and how I can be more effective in the industry.” By extension, she feels she also has given a voice to every contractor she comes in contact with.
Opening doors for women
Willingness, welcome, encouragement and empowerment are all ways women grow in our industry, Garvey said. A connector at heart, she is skillfully invitational to other women, whether conversationally sitting around a table, asking for feedback, or including women in the company and committees. Doing this opens “more mindsets, doors and opportunities for women,” she explained. “I’ve said for many years, make sure you have a ‘mom’ on your team! There is a lot to unpack in that statement, but generally the hustle, determination, creativity and different perspectives will enlighten and strengthen your company/team.”
Menzies noted that many more women are visible and in charge in the tile industry than there were 40 years ago. “There have always been a majority of makers who have been women, but today it is heartening to see more women in leadership roles and especially a growing presence in the installation arm of the tile industry: that is joyful!” she said. Seeing women in leadership roles and embracing the art of installation are “fantastic role models for young women seeking a career path,” she said and encourages stronger messaging at the high school level to let young women know the tile industry is an inclusive place for them, and a pathway to a lucrative, satisfying career.
Similarly, Del Pozo endorses more promotion to young women about following a career path in tile and flooring installation. She cites a college training program FCEF offers and the high school awareness program Build My Future.
She also urges women to trust each other. “Unfortunately I have been told time and time again that men generally trust women in business but women have a harder time trusting other women,” she said. “We need to end the cycle of mistrust so that we can all benefit. We rise by lifting others.”
Words of wisdom
Garvey is optimistic about the opportunities in the tile industry, the need for a diverse set of talents and strengths and also a “deep sense of community.” She motivates women to step out of their comfort zone; to “lead with your own confidence and do not be afraid to use your voice. Everyone will benefit when we continue to rise together. We need YOU.”
Menzies has worked with many people in her 40 years with THF. “I hope by ‘osmosis’ my constant presence has been an inspiration to women in the tile industry,” she said. She urges other women “If you can imagine it, do it and embrace my motto: Everything IS ALWAYS working out for me.”
Del Pozo said the tile world is rife with creativity – and is a “goldmine for women who aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty…literally.” But it also requires making tough decisions. “Women tend to make friends at work but at the end of the day, business is business and the right answer isn’t always the easy one. I have found that being fair, honest and not taking things personally is very important. Being consistent and taking the emotion out of decision making has always helped me.”
For more information about these tile luminaries and their companies, visit: welchtile.com, tileheritage.org, and qep.com.
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.
