Kyle Forgeard Net Worth 2025: Building the NELK Empire

The numbers tell an unexpected story: $30 million in revenue from a single merchandise drop. $250 million valuation for a hard seltzer brand. $25 million net worth by age 28. These aren’t typical metrics for a YouTube creator, yet they represent Kyle Forgeard’s evolution from content creator to business owner.

NELK’s YouTube channel grew beyond 7 million subscribers, but Forgeard’s business interests expanded far beyond video content. His Full Send merchandise line reached $50 million in revenue during 2020. The launch of Happy Dad Seltzer pushed his ventures into traditional retail, demonstrating his ability to build scalable businesses outside social media.

The story behind these numbers reveals how strategic business decisions and careful brand building turned viral pranks into sustainable revenue streams. From merchandise drops to beverage distribution, each venture expanded Forgeard’s business portfolio while maintaining the authenticity that attracted his initial audience.

From YouTube Pranks to Million-Dollar Empire

Kyle Forgeard’s story starts in Mississauga, Ontario, where a film student’s decision to leave Ryerson University sparked an unexpected path to business success.

Early days at Ryerson University

The first signs of Forgeard’s entrepreneurial mindset emerged during his time in Ryerson’s film program. His early YouTube experiments included serenading unsuspecting students in lecture halls – videos that pulled in 75,000 views within a week.

“It’s a passion of ours,” Forgeard told The Star, discussing his early work with Elliott Slater. “We want to grow our [YouTube] channel and make it big”.

The traditional education path didn’t align with Forgeard’s vision. “How do you learn film from a teacher that kind of didn’t make it? I respect them but it’s also like, yo, you kind of didn’t figure it out”.

The birth of NELK channel

July 2010 marked the launch of “NELKFilmz” – named after its founding members Nick, Elliot, Lucas, and Kyle. The channel’s early days brought modest returns, earning about $500 monthly from YouTube ads.

Forgeard’s content followed familiar formats, producing pranks at Tim Hortons and McDonald’s. The channel’s direction shifted dramatically after meeting Jesse Sebastiani at an MTV Canada conference in 2014. Their first collaboration, “Lit Me On Fire Prank,” set the tone for a new era of content.

“I think when we really took off was when we just started doing what we thought was funny,” Forgeard said about moving beyond standard YouTube pranks.

The viral ‘Coke Prank’ turning point

NELK’s breakthrough arrived in January 2015 with the “Coke Prank on Cops” video. The premise was simple: tell police officers about “coke” in their car – referring to Coca-Cola rather than cocaine.

The video reached 49 million views, tripling their previous record. Canadian media coverage followed, though the LAPD warned against similar stunts. The prank cemented NELK’s reputation for pushing boundaries while building what Forgeard calls their “cult following”.

“I think the secret to NELK and why we have such a cult following is that there’s never been one moment that made us,” Forgeard explained. “This game is a marathon, not a sprint”.

This viral success laid the foundation for what would become a multi-million dollar business operation.

Kyle Forgeard’s Net Worth in 2025

The numbers behind Kyle Forgeard’s business ventures tell a different story than typical YouTube success. While most creators depend on platform revenue, Forgeard built multiple income streams that pushed his net worth well beyond content monetization.

Net worth breakdown

Financial experts place Kyle Forgeard’s net worth at approximately $25 million as of 2025. Earlier estimates ranged from $1.5 million to $10 million, showing rapid growth through strategic business expansion.

Forgeard’s wealth stems from four main sources:

1. Full Send Merchandise Empire – The brand’s cornerstone, generating $70 million in annual revenue
2. Happy Dad Seltzer – A beverage company valued at $250 million[91]
3. Real Estate Investments – Including a $9 million property earning $27,000 monthly in lease income
4. Digital Assets – NFT projects and other digital investments

A 10% stake in Happy Dad Seltzer alone would account for $25 million in equity. This diversification protects against the income swings common among content creators.

Growth trajectory since 2020

The path from $500 monthly YouTube earnings to multi-million dollar businesses started with a crucial pivot. John Shahidi’s arrival as NELK’s president in 2020 shifted focus toward “marketing their lifestyle through products” instead of platform revenue.

Full Send merchandise proved this strategy’s potential, reaching $50 million in 2020 sales. The initial merchandise launch came from an unexpected source – Forgeard’s parents mortgaged their house for $100,000 to fund it.

Happy Dad Seltzer’s 2021 launch marked another turning point. “YouTube money is pennies compared to building businesses like a seltzer,” Forgeard noted. The brand now reaches 50 million consumers.

Rather than chase luxury purchases, Forgeard focused on reinvesting profits. This approach earned him a spot on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list while building sustainable growth.

“We could have a multibillion-dollar business on our hands,” Forgeard said about Happy Dad Seltzer. The statement reflects both his success in transitioning from creator to business owner and his vision for continued expansion.

Full Send: Turning Content into Commerce

YouTube demonetization forced NELK to rethink revenue generation. The result? Full Send merchandise became Kyle Forgeard’s most successful business innovation, turning a potential setback into their biggest opportunity.

Merchandise strategy and limited drops

The NELK team studied Supreme’s business model to reimagine influencer merchandise. Their “drop” strategy includes four key elements:

• Artificial scarcity: 2,000 items per collection
• Time-limited releases: Bi-monthly drops
• Premium pricing: Above standard influencer rates
• No restocks: Items never return once sold

The strategy taps into basic consumer psychology – people value what’s hard to get. Each drop pulls 350,000 simultaneous visitors to their site.

The numbers speak for themselves. One drop generated $30 million in 30 minutes. Full Send reached $50 million in 2020 sales, growing to $70 million annual revenue.

“We weren’t lying when we were looking into the lens telling our fans ‘hey guys if you buy merch, you’re keeping us alive and helping us make these videos,'” Forgeard said about the early days.

Brand partnerships worth millions

Brand Central’s appointment as Full Send’s official representative opened retail collaboration opportunities. The brand stands out through premium materials and unique designs, elevating it above typical creator merchandise while keeping their signature style.

Full Send Podcast revenue impact

The Full Send Podcast does double duty – marketing engine and revenue stream. Guest appearances from Elon Musk to Donald Trump help promote Happy Dad Seltzer and Full Send merchandise.

Marketing psychology drives their approach. “The absolute bullseye of human pleasure is anticipation—things are about to be awesome”. This principle shapes both merchandise drops and podcast releases.

Each venture strengthens the others while building fan loyalty. The ecosystem sells more than products – it offers membership in the Full Send lifestyle.

Forgeard’s success proves content creators can build profitable businesses beyond platform revenue. His model now serves as a blueprint for others in the creator economy.

Happy Dad Seltzer: Kyle’s Biggest Business Win

Happy Dad Seltzer stands out as the venture that transformed Forgeard’s business portfolio. The hard seltzer brand quickly became his most valuable asset, pushing beyond typical creator-founded products.

Launch and market penetration

Forgeard partnered with Sam and John Shahidi to launch Happy Dad Seltzer in June 2021. The concept stemmed from their frustration with existing seltzers’ strange aftertastes and high carbonation. Their solution? Create a drink that appeals to both beer enthusiasts and seltzer fans.

“We wanted to make the best-tasting hard seltzer,” became the team’s mission statement during their documented year-long development process. Sales numbers validated their approach – 698,000 12-packs sold in 2021, jumping to 2.6 million in 2022.

Happy Dad’s product features stand apart from competitors:

• Standard cans instead of “skinny can bullsh*t”
• Reduced carbonation levels
• Clean, natural flavor profiles
• 5% ABV, 100 calories, 1g sugar

Distribution expansion

The brand’s footprint grew beyond its California launch market. Distribution now reaches 16 states, with six more targeted: Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, Missouri, and Maryland/DC.

Breakthru Beverage Group partnership drove Midwest expansion. “As we grow and expand into new markets, we need a great team on the ground that understands our incredible product & culture,” Sam Shahidi explained.

Celebrity collaborations, including Snoop Dogg and Death Row Records, broadened the brand’s appeal.

Valuation and ownership stake

Happy Dad Seltzer’s $250 million valuation marks Forgeard’s most significant business achievement. His hints at potential billion-dollar valuations suggest even bigger ambitions.

A 10% ownership stake would value Forgeard’s portion at $25 million. The brand generates revenue beyond beverage sales – their apparel line hit $3 million in 2022 sales, with 2023 projections doubling that figure. Additional growth funding came through a substantial credit line.

The brand’s cultural impact matches its financial success. With 1.5 million social media followers, Happy Dad ranks among America’s most-followed alcohol brands.

Smart Money Moves: Investments Beyond Content

Forgeard’s wealth strategy extends beyond digital ventures. His investment portfolio spans real estate, digital assets, and traditional markets, creating multiple paths for long-term growth.

Real estate portfolio

The April 2021 purchase of a 9,713-square-foot Newport Beach property marked Forgeard’s entry into commercial real estate. The $9 million investment generates $27,000 monthly through strategic lease agreements.

The property serves dual purposes. Business-related tax write-offs provide significant advantages, while premium amenities – including a luxury backyard, high-end pool, and jacuzzi installation – maintain asset value.

NFT projects and digital assets

Full Send Metacard NFT collection launched in January 2022, showcasing Forgeard’s ability to monetize his brand across emerging platforms:

• 10,000 NFTs sold out instantly
• $2,300 price point per NFT
• $23 million in total sales

The project faced setbacks when holders filed suit over unfulfilled business promises. Full Send responded with a 30-day refund period plus interest. Current floor prices sit at 0.034 ETH (approximately $111).

Stock market and private investments

Forgeard’s portfolio includes substantial cryptocurrency positions. His approach aligns with sophisticated investment strategies, spreading risk across multiple asset classes.

This diversification mirrors techniques used by institutional investors seeking optimal returns. The mix of physical and digital assets creates a balanced portfolio structure.

These calculated investments protect Forgeard’s wealth from content creation volatility. Each move reinforces his evolution from creator to strategic investor, building sustainable wealth through multiple channels.

Conclusion

The numbers tell part of Forgeard’s story – $25 million net worth, $30 million merchandise drops, $250 million seltzer brand valuation. Yet the true measure lies in his evolution from YouTube creator to business builder.

Each venture strengthened the foundation. Full Send merchandise proved creators could build direct-to-consumer brands. Happy Dad Seltzer demonstrated the power of moving beyond digital products. Real estate and digital asset investments showed foresight in wealth preservation.

The path from college dropout to business owner offers clear lessons. While most creators chase views and engagement, Forgeard focused on building sustainable revenue streams outside platform algorithms. His success stems not from viral moments but from steady business development.

The scope of Forgeard’s ambitions points to bigger opportunities ahead. His proven ability to identify markets, build brands, and scale operations suggests this $25 million empire represents just the early chapters of a longer entrepreneurial story.

FAQs

Q1. What is Kyle Forgeard’s estimated net worth in 2025? 

Kyle Forgeard’s estimated net worth is approximately $25 million as of 2025. This wealth comes from various sources, including his Full Send merchandise empire, Happy Dad Seltzer company, real estate investments, and digital assets.

Q2. How did Kyle Forgeard start his career? 

Kyle Forgeard began his career as a YouTube prankster. He co-founded the NELK Boys YouTube channel while studying at Ryerson University. Their breakthrough came with the viral “Coke Prank on Cops” video in 2015, which garnered over 49 million views.

Q3. What is Full Send and how has it contributed to Kyle’s success? 

Full Send is Kyle Forgeard’s merchandise empire. It uses a strategic “drop” model with limited releases, creating high demand. Full Send generated $50 million in revenue in 2020 alone, with some drops earning up to $30 million in just 30 minutes.

Q4. What is Happy Dad Seltzer and how valuable is it? 

Happy Dad Seltzer is a hard seltzer brand co-founded by Kyle Forgeard in June 2021. It’s currently valued at approximately $250 million and has expanded to distribution across 16 states. The company sold over 2.6 million 12-packs in 2022.

Q5. How has Kyle Forgeard diversified his investments beyond content creation? 

Kyle has diversified his investments through real estate, purchasing a $9 million property that generates monthly rental income. He’s also ventured into digital assets with NFT projects and reportedly allocated millions into cryptocurrency. This diversification strategy has helped shield his wealth from the volatility typically associated with content creation.