Recap: Unscripted SMB Podcast with MetaFlex inventor, Téa Phillips
In a recent episode of the Unscripted SMB podcast, host Jeremy Rivera sat down with Téa Phillips to discuss her journey from engineering student to successful medical device innovator. The conversation revealed not just the technical challenges of bringing a new product to market, but also the personal drive and resilience required to turn an idea into a thriving business. Through candid discussion about failures, pivots, and persistence, Phillips offered valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators.
From Engineering Student to Medical Device Innovator
When Téa Phillips was studying mechanical engineering at Tennessee Tech University in 2018, she couldn't have predicted that an idea would transform into a revolutionary medical device helping people across the country. But that's exactly what happened with the MetaFlex glove, an innovative compression glove with adjustable resistance bands that helps people manage hand arthritis and other conditions.
The Birth of a Solution
The inspiration for MetaFlex came from a deeply personal place. While Phillips had the technical know-how to create the product, it was her grandmother's struggle with arthritis that showed her the real-world impact her invention could have.
"My grandma had really bad arthritis and I started to really pay attention to her," Phillips shares. "She was always sewing and crafting and gardening when I was growing up, and she was doing less of those things... because her hands were hurting. So I realized how big of an impact this could have on people."
Navigating the Medical Device Regulatory Maze
The path to bringing a medical device to market is rarely straightforward, and Phillips' experience was no exception. Initially resistant to the idea that her compression glove would be classified as a medical device, she quickly learned the complexities of FDA regulations. Working with medical affairs consultants like Acceleration Point can help streamline this process, but as a bootstrapped founder, Phillips took on the challenge herself.
"First I was like, this is not a medical device. This is a compression glove. Are you kidding me? And so I emailed the FDA and they're like, yeah, compression changes the way the body functions."
The MetaFlex glove was ultimately classified as a [Class 1 medical device], requiring FDA registration and specific manufacturing standards. While the process was demanding and costly, it ensured the quality and safety of the final product.
Embracing Failure as a Path to Success
One of the most powerful insights from Phillips' entrepreneurial journey is her perspective on failure. As she recently shared with engineering students at Tennessee Tech.
"Being an entrepreneur is just failing over and over and over. You’ve got to fail fast... I take a step forward and I fall on my face and then I get back up and then I fall on my face again and I just pivot each time."
This attitude toward failure isn't just about perseverance – it's about learning and growing. As Phillips emphasizes:
"If you're not failing, you're not trying. That's how you learn."
Building Success Through Partnerships
Phillips' approach to growing MetaFlex demonstrates the importance of strategic thinking in entrepreneurship. Rather than trying to do everything internally, she's focused on finding the right partners who excel in their specific areas. Her philosophy is clear:
"What I like to do as an engineer is develop new products... I want to be doing R&D and setting the vision and the goals of the company, because I see where we're going. I just need to find an all-star team, and I feel like that team can be external partners and don't have to be internal resources."
Looking to the Future
Today, MetaFlex has expanded far beyond its original arthritis management focus. The glove is being used by Parkinson's patients, recommended by Vanderbilt Surgery Center for rehabilitation, and embraced by everyone from young landscapers to active seniors. This evolution perfectly demonstrates Phillips' commitment to remaining flexible and open to new possibilities.
The journey from a college engineering project to an FDA-registered medical device wasn't easy, but Phillips' story shows how persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from failure can lead to success. As she continues to innovate and develop new products, her focus remains clear: creating solutions that make a real difference in people's lives.
Listen to the full episode here