Our Story
Founder's Vision
Hey, I’m Paris Kea — welcome to Kea First Steps.
Basketball has been a huge part of my life. I started my college career at Vanderbilt, then transferred to UNC at Chapel Hill, where I really found my rhythm both on and off the court. Playing at UNC was an incredible experience, and I’m grateful for the honors and memories that came with it. After college, I was drafted into the WNBA and had the opportunity to live out a lifelong dream of playing professionally.
But beyond the games, practices, and stats, I began to recognize something even more important — mental health.
How we care for our minds is just as vital as how we train our bodies. That realization led me to pursue a career in mental performance. I'm currently working toward becoming a sports psychologist because I want to help athletes through the struggles that often go unseen — whether they're just starting out, navigating the uncertainty of year-to-year contracts, or transitioning into retirement.
Kea First Steps is my way of sharing that story — mine, and hopefully yours too — through clothing and conversation. Because sometimes, the hardest part is just taking that first step toward healing, peace, and growth. It’s okay to not be okay. And it’s okay to ask for help.
Therapy taught me that every skill you learn is like a tool added to your toolkit — something that helps you better understand yourself, manage stress, and grow as a person. That’s what this brand is about: reminding you to keep adding tools, and supporting you as you take your next step forward.
Thanks for being here. Let’s take these first steps together.
— Paris
