KEYSOCKS Founders Christy Parry & Shelby McKee Built the No-Show Sock Women Didn't Know They Needed

Every woman knows the routine: the shoes are fire, but the socks? A mess. Slipping liners, sweaty feet, blisters, and that dreaded sock crunch that shows up right when you're trying to look put together. KEYSOCKS was born out of that exact struggle and a last-minute fix before a Cincinnati Bengals game. What began as a cut-up knee-high sock quickly turned into a smart, style-saving solution that created an entirely new lane in women's footwear accessories.

Founded by sisters Christy Parry and Shelby McKee, KEYSOCKS is the first no-show knee-high sock designed to deliver real comfort while staying invisible inside your favorite shoes. Built by women who were done choosing between looking good and feeling good, the family-run brand blends innovation, practicality, and heart. From ballet flats and heels to sneakers and long days on your feet, KEYSOCKS has earned national attention from QVC and Good Morning America to Shark Tank, by solving a problem women have quietly dealt with for years.

What was the "aha" moment that led to the creation of KEYSOCKS?

Shelby: I am from Cincinnati, Ohio and I was getting ready to head to a Bengals game. I wanted to wear my favorite ballet flats, but also wanted warm feet. The usual no-show footies weren't cutting it. They slipped, scrunched, and I definitely knew I would end up with blisters!

So I grabbed a pair of knee-high dress socks, took a pair of scissors, cut a hole on the top of my foot, and slipped them on. I went to the game and showed my friend Campbell, my last name is McKee, and she said "Thats not a Macgyver sock…thats a McKeever sock!" We kept calling them McKeever socks and Christy chimed in and said "No one will get it…let's call them Keysocks!" So many customers now say Keyhole socks! It was that moment that I realized I may have come up with something different for the no-show sock world!

Determined to share my simple solution with other women who've sacrificed comfort for style, I teamed up with my mom and dad and two sisters, Christy and Stefanie. Just like that, Keysocks became a family-run brand built on practicality, problem-solving, a lot of sweat and tears.

KEYSOCKS solves a problem many women didn't realize they had. How did you identify this gap in the market?

Shelby: After spending the day at the Bengals game with my feet being in pure comfort and stylish in my flats I got home and I did several Google searches. I realized that a no-show knee high sock had never been created and brought to market. I went to a seamstress with my dad to create a prototype, and when we showed it to all of the women, their reaction was priceless; "That's genius!" My dad and I walked out and that's when we both knew I'd found something special, the solution to the no-show sock problem! Our dad Jim was just retiring, was the ultimate entrepreneur himself, he said "Let's do this!" Only did we know the 'feet" it would entail to bring a sock to market that has never been created.

How has your product evolved since the original idea of cutting a hole in a knee-high sock?

Christy: It took two plus years to get the prototypes perfected and Keysocks are all handcut. When we launched in 2012, we offered one SKU, one Size, two Colors (Black & Nude). We evolved the collection into seven skus/styles, many different colors and now two sizes. Keysocks come in Standard and Plus sizes; Standard fits calves 16" or smaller & Plus fits 17" or larger. Fitting women's shoe size 5–12.

How has being a women-led brand shaped your approach to innovation and leadership in the fashion/comfort space?

Shelby: As sisters and founders, Christy and I have built Keycocks for women like us that are tired of choosing between comfort and style . From the very beginning, our goal has been simple: women deserve to feel comfortable and confident at the same time and not having to choose between one over the other.

We also love adding little moments of joy into what we make. That's why every pair of Keysocks has an inspirational saying on the bottom, it's a small reminder of confidence, strength, or positivity, right where you least expect it.

Leadership for us is also about heart. We believe success should create impact, not just sales. That's why giving back is so important to us. We're proud to support organizations like, Dress for Success, Gabrielle's Angel Foundation, Hop On A Cure, Women, Wine and Shoes, and Cincinnati Cancer Advisors. These are all causes that uplift and empower women and men.

At the end of the day, we're building more than a brand. We're building something that makes women feel good, inside and out.

What do you believe sets KEYSOCKS apart from other no-show socks or comfort solutions on the market?

Christy: Keysocks are the very first and only no-show knee high socks on the market and that alone sets us apart from all other no-show socks. Our fabrics set us apart as well; Our Original Style is made with CoolMax® Technology and treated with UltraFresh®. Our Classic Light and Weekend style are made with a coffee charcoal blend that wicks moisture and prevents odor. When you want the comfort of a sock with the no-show look, Keysocks are the solution!

How do you envision KEYSOCKS impacting the broader sock and footwear accessory industry over the next 5–10 years?

Shelby: We want to redefine what no-show socks can do for everyone, including men. Our next launch is in the works, redesigning our Compression Keysocks style. We will also be introducing a men's line, because everyone deserves no-show socks that feel as good as they look.

What feedback from customers has been the most surprising or insightful in shaping your product line?

Christy: What has been so great about this entrepreneurial journey is connecting with our amazing Keysocks customers along the way. Honestly, some of the feedback was just how personal socks are to the customers. When we launched Original Keysocks, we heard over and over that some wanted a thinner option, different lengths and different sizes. We listened; every suggestion has helped shape Keysocks into what it is today.

What lessons have you learned as entrepreneurs and innovators that you'd share with other women starting a business?

Shelby: Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. There are constant challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt, but we learned to keep our blinders on. If you have an idea, a product that you feel passionate about and you're solving a problem, you'll never quit and you'll never give up.

We're incredibly grateful for the platforms and people who believed in us along the way; from Good Morning America, to QVC, to Daymond John and the Shark Group, and to the many sellers, partners, and supporters who helped amplify our story. Every opportunity, every piece of publicity, and every moment of exposure helped us grow and reach more women with our message of empowerment. As Daymond John said it best…"An overnight success is 10 years!" Our mission is to get Keysocks in every woman's sock drawer!

Are there any upcoming products or innovations from KEYSOCKS that you're especially excited about?

Shelby and Christy: Our Compression line is super exciting. We had a Compression style that we sold out of and are in the process of perfecting the design.

If you could solve one more everyday challenge for women's footwear, what would it be?

Shelby and Christy: We wish shoe designers would start with comfort and build style around it, not the other way around.

There was a missing category in footwear. We built it. Keysocks is the solution!

Learn more by visiting https://www.keysocks.com/