From Pain to Purpose: How Téa Phillips Turned Her Grandmother’s Arthritis Struggles into a Healthcare Innovation

In this episode of BizBlend, we dive deep with Téa Phillips, mechanical engineer and founder of ATS Innovations, to uncover how a simple but powerful observation of her grandmother’s arthritis led to the creation of Metaflex — a glove that is changing lives. From winning pitch competitions to facing FDA hurdles and funding challenges, Téa shares the raw truth of entrepreneurship. This isn’t just a story of innovation — it’s a story of purpose, resilience, and building with heart in a profit-driven healthcare world.

If you’re caught between a paycheck and a passion, or looking to create real impact, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear how Téa is rewriting what it means to lead with empathy and engineering.

ABOUT THE GUEST
Téa Phillips is the Founder of ATS Innovations and creator of Metaflex, an all-in-one therapeutic glove for arthritis patients. With a background in mechanical engineering and a heart rooted in family, she’s redefining healthcare innovation by blending purpose, science, and compassion.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Téa’s journey began with a deeply personal story — her grandmother’s painful experience with arthritis led her to create a solution that combines science and soul.

• Metaflex integrates compression, finger extension, and strength training in one — a first-of-its-kind innovation born from necessity and love.

• Téa’s path wasn’t straightforward. After earning her engineering degree, she delayed launching her business due to financial fears and societal pressure, only to take the leap after her grandmother’s health rapidly declined.

• The startup life isn’t glamorous — from FDA compliance to investor expectations, the pressure is real. But Téa reminds us that the mission matters more.

• She’s not building a business for profit alone; she’s building something people-first — affordable, accessible, and effective for everyday users.

• Her leadership today includes managing growth, hiring talent, and preparing to launch in new international markets, proving innovation doesn’t stop at the prototype.

CONNECT WITH TÉA PHILLIPS
Website: https://www.metaflexglove.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsphillips/
Email List Signup: Available via website for product news and updates

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