Kelvin D. Sealy Jr. has always been passionate about sports, competition, and innovation. Born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, near the oceanfront, where an active lifestyle shaped his journey. At 37, he is not only an accomplished athlete but also the co-founder of Tally Tumbler, a unique product designed to simplify scorekeeping for golfers and other enthusiasts.
Sealy’s exposure to sports started at a young age, thanks to his mother, who enrolled him in a variety of activities. “Growing up, my mom signed me up for just about everything. I played roller hockey, was a sponsored skateboarder, and at 12, I was a highly ranked junior tennis player in Virginia,” he recalls. However, it was soccer that became his true passion, leading him to play at Virginia Wesleyan University. It was during his college years that he was first introduced to golf. A teammate, Brandon Massie, invited him to play, and though his first round was challenging, one perfect iron shot changed everything. “I hit one pure iron shot that landed close to the pin, and from that moment, I was hooked,” he says.
Despite his growing love for golf, Sealy took a different path professionally. He earned an undergraduate degree in Business from Virginia Wesleyan University and later pursued a graduate degree in Procurement from Old Dominion University. These qualifications equipped him with the skills to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.
His journey as an inventor began with a simple yet innovative idea. While running a bocce ball league, he noticed how easy it was to lose track of the score. One day, as he held a tumbler, inspiration struck: “Can I put a counter on this?” After researching and finding no similar products, he set out to create the Tally Tumbler, a multifunctional drinking vessel with built-in scoring rings. “The idea was really about solving a simple problem with a practical tool,” Sealy explains. As an avid golfer who always brought a tumbler to the course, he envisioned a version that could track scores and stats like fairways and greens hit.
Sealy partnered with Matt Butler to bring the idea to life. Finding a manufacturer willing to take on the unique design was a challenge, but perseverance paid off. “I talked to over thirty different manufacturers that did not want to work with me and told me the design was not possible, but one took a chance, and it turned into a successful product,” he says with pride. Now on its fifth version, the Tally Tumbler has exceeded expectations in both form and function.
While Sealy is the only golfer in his family, his fiancée also enjoys the sport. “She keeps all her drives in the fairway, which is impressive,” he says. His parents, though not golfers, remain active in other sports, including bocce ball, where they participate in his league.
Today, Tally Tumbler is a growing brand. It is available for purchase on their website (TallyTumbler.com) for $39.99, with next-day shipping through Amazon. The product is also available for wholesale at $20 per tumbler with a minimum order of 24. “I want readers to know that the Tally Tumbler isn’t just about scorekeeping; it’s also a high-quality tumbler that keeps drinks hot or cold just as well, if not better, than other tumblers on the market,” he notes. The brand is even expanding, introducing a 14oz 4-in-1 tumbler that functions as both a can cooler and a regular tumbler.
Reflecting on the journey, Sealy remains grateful for the support that has helped make his vision a reality. “We launched the company through a Kickstarter campaign, and despite not being a high-tech gadget, the yard game and golf communities have truly embraced the product.” From athlete to entrepreneur, Sealy’s story is one of passion, persistence, and creativity—proving that great ideas can come from the simplest of moments.
