NASHVILLE, TN —From the rolling hills of rural Tennessee to the ever-evolving world of medical innovation, Téa Phillips journey is anything but ordinary. She’s an engineer, a creative soul, and the founder of the MetaFlex Glove—a cutting-edge wellness tool revolutionizing the way we treat and prevent hand pain. But what started as a college project has become something much deeper: a mission-driven invention rooted in accessibility, empathy, and empowerment.
Long before she was designing wearable health tech, Téa Phillips was planning a life on stage.
“Up until my junior year of high school, I thought I was going to be an actress,” she shared. “I loved acting, I was always doing theater, and I imagined myself moving to LA to pursue that dream.”
Her college years led her to Tennessee Tech University, where she majored in mechanical engineering—a path that surprised even her.
“My parents didn’t go to college, and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go until my junior year. But I had a friend who wanted to study engineering. We liked the same subjects, so I looked it up and saw that mechanical engineering was really broad. I could build robots and rocket ships. It felt futuristic and purposeful.”
And as it turned out, it wasn’t just a backup plan from acting—it was the perfect fit.
“Mechanical engineering felt like a degree in problem-solving. I’ve always loved puzzles and math. I realized I could be part of building the future. It was mentally stimulating and gave me purpose.”
While in college, Téa began working on what would become MetaFlex Glove—a compression glove designed with resistance bands to improve hand mobility, reduce pain, and support recovery. Though originally aimed at arthritis patients, the product quickly found a much larger audience.
“It started as a way for people with arthritis to manage their pain at home,” she said. “But we’ve now seen it help athletes, office workers, older adults, gamers, and even people with Parkinson’s.”
Her inspiration? A lifetime spent watching her family and community struggle with access to healthcare.
“Growing up in rural America, healthcare was always a stressful event. No one had extra money for doctor visits. So when the opportunity came to work in healthcare and make something affordable, I couldn’t let it go.”
MetaFlex Gloves are made from soft, flexible materials and feature adjustable resistance bands sewn into each finger. These bands mirror the tendons of the hand, offering support when fingers are at rest and resistance when they move.
“You’re strengthening your grip when you go about your daily activities,” Téa explained. “And when you’re at rest, the bands help stretch and open the fingers. Plus, the gentle compression supports circulation, swelling, and pain relief.”
Though the gloves were invented to support those with arthritis, the product’s use cases have expanded far beyond that.
“A hand surgeon at Vanderbilt wears my gloves to manage carpal tunnel. Athletes use them to strengthen their grip. My brother-in-law wears them after typing all day. I even wear them when my thumb starts hurting from scrolling too much on my phone,” Téa laughed.
She emphasized the growing need for preventative hand care, a topic often overlooked in both fitness and wellness spaces.
“We use our hands constantly, but we rarely think to protect them the way we do our knees, elbows, or ankles. I’m trying to change that.”
MetaFlex is already helping thousands—from 70-year-olds gardening in their backyard to 20-somethings recovering from long workdays at the computer.
“We’ve had customers say it’s a ‘miracle’ product that finally lets them sleep at night. Another man with Parkinson’s wears them every night to prevent his fingers from curling. He just bought his second pair after wearing the first for two years.”
From the beginning, the focus was on accessibility, affordability, and intention.
“I spent years researching the anatomy of the hand, testing materials, talking to people with arthritis, and refining the design,” she said. “It’s not just a gadget, it’s something I poured my soul into.”
Her greatest source of pride? The price point.
“I’m most proud that MetaFlex is affordable. That’s been the whole goal: make something that helps people and make it accessible,” Téa adds.
After recently raising a funding round and expanding her team, Téa is finally getting some breathing room in her schedule. And with that, she’s tapping back into her artistic roots.
“I love going to art shows. I want to take sculpture and pottery classes. I play D&D, read feminist literature, and hike in the Tennessee mountains. Creating—whether it’s tech or a poem—is how I feel most alive.”
Téa revealed that two new versions of the glove will debut later this year, with subtle but meaningful upgrades based on user feedback. While she couldn’t share all the details just yet, she hinted at one version that’s already generating excitement internally.
“People have been asking for a foot version, and I tell them, ‘let me make a few more gloves first’” she laughed. “But yes, foot products are on the roadmap for next year.”
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Téa offers thoughtful and honest advice:
“There’s no single right way to bring an invention to life. But if you’re serious about building a business, surround yourself with people who know what you don’t. Find mentors. Learn everything from sales, marketing, leadership. It’s overwhelming, but it’s doable.”
She also credits long-form podcasts like How I Built This for offering a behind-the-scenes look into the minds of successful founders.
You can purchase MetaFlex Gloves on their website, Amazon, and at select pharmacies across the U.S.
Follow MetaFlex Glove on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for product tips, user stories, and upcoming launches. Téa also shares business updates on LinkedIn.
“If there’s a pharmacy near you that carries the gloves, go shop local,” she encouraged. “It helps my small business and theirs, and you’ll probably save on shipping!”
Though the success of MetaFlex is undeniable, it’s clear that Téa sees it as just the beginning.
“We are some of the first women in our families who are allowed to build businesses and follow our passion,” she said. “That’s not lost on me. I feel honored to have this freedom, and I want to make the absolute most of it.”
From actress to engineer, creator to entrepreneur, Téa embodies what it means to turn challenge into invention into impact.
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