Kyle Forgeard Net Worth 2024: How the Nelk Boys Visionary Built a $25 Million Empire

In the world of digital creators, few names carry as much weight—or controversy—as Kyle Forgeard. As the driving force behind the global phenomenon known as NELK, Forgeard has successfully transitioned from a college dropout making prank videos into a high-level entrepreneur with a diversified portfolio.

While some conservative estimates place his personal liquid wealth at $5 million, a deeper look into his business equity, real estate holdings, and brand valuations suggests a much more substantial figure. In 2024, Kyle Forgeard’s net worth is estimated at $25 million, a testament to his ability to monetize a loyal fan base through the "Full Send" lifestyle.

Kyle Forgeard Net Worth & Bio at a Glance

The Early Years: From Mississauga to Film School Dropout

The story of Kyle Forgeard’s net worth doesn't begin in a mansion, but in the typical suburban landscape of Mississauga, Ontario. Born to Rick and Gayle Forgeard, Kyle grew up with his sister, Chantal, living a standard middle-class life.

From a young age, Kyle possessed a natural inclination for entertainment. This led him to enroll in the filmmaking program at Ryerson University in Toronto. However, the traditional path of academia couldn't contain his ambition.

In a move that would define his career, Kyle made the "unorthodox" decision to drop out of university to focus entirely on a project he had co-founded in 2010: NelkFilmz.

The $100,000 Gamble: Launching the NELK Empire

Success didn't happen overnight. In the early days, Kyle and his co-founder Jesse Sebastiani produced low-budget vlogs and pranks. The turning point for the brand—and Kyle's bank account—came in 2015. Their "Coke Prank" on police officers went viral, showing the world their unique brand of "unapologetic" and "boundary-pushing" comedy.

But the real financial engine wasn't just views; it was the belief his parents had in his vision. To fund the first major Nelk merchandise drop, Rick and Gayle Forgeard took out a $100,000 mortgage on their family home. This daring financial risk served as the catapult for the Full Send brand, proving that Kyle's "party hard" mentality was backed by serious business intent.

The Business Empire: How Kyle Forgeard Diversified Beyond YouTube

While many creators struggle to survive on YouTube ad revenue (AdSense) alone, Kyle Forgeard took a different path. After NELK was demonetized for their high-risk content, Forgeard didn't slow down; he pivoted. By treating his audience as a community rather than just "viewers," he built a multi-vertical business empire that generates eight-figure annual revenues.

1. Full Send Merchandise: The "Supreme" of YouTube

The crown jewel of Forgeard’s empire is the Full Send lifestyle brand. Rather than keeping a constant inventory, Kyle adopted the "limited drop" model used by high-end streetwear brands like Supreme.

• Revenue Milestones: In 2020 alone, Full Send merchandise reportedly notched $50 million in sales.
• Expansion: By 2021, that figure was poised to reach $70 million.
• Scarcity Strategy: Each drop consists of limited-edition items that typically sell out within 24 to 48 hours, creating a high-velocity cash flow.

2. Happy Dad Hard Seltzer: A $250 Million Valuation

In June 2021, Kyle expanded into the beverage industry by co-founding Happy Dad Hard Seltzer alongside partners including SteveWillDoIt and John and Sam Shahidi.

• The Disruption: Unlike traditional seltzers marketed toward women in slim cans, Happy Dad launched in regular 12oz cans to appeal to the "bros" and the "MAGA-verse" demographic.
• Financial Impact: Current company valuations place Happy Dad at approximately $250 million. Even with a conservative 10% equity stake, Forgeard’s holding would represent $25 million in unrealized wealth.

3. The Full Send Podcast: Influence and Sponsorships

Recognizing the power of long-form conversation, Kyle launched the Full Send Podcast in 2021. The show quickly became a cultural powerhouse, hosting "heavyweight" guests like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Mike Tyson, and Dana White.

• Viral Reach: The episode featuring Donald Trump famously amassed 5 million views in just 24 hours before being removed by YouTube.
• Monetization: The podcast operates under the Shots Podcast Network and generates significant revenue through high-ticket sponsorships and mid-roll advertising from brands that want to reach a young, male audience.

Strategic Investments: Crypto, NFTs, and Real Estate

Kyle Forgeard’s financial savvy extends into the world of alternative assets, ensuring his wealth grows even when he isn't filming.

• Metacard NFTs: In January 2021, the Full Send team launched the Metacard NFT project, which successfully drew $23 million in its initial launch. These 10,000 digital tokens provide holders with exclusive access to physical events and early merchandise drops.
• Real Estate Holdings: Kyle currently operates out of a luxury property in Newport Beach, California. By leasing the house for roughly $27,000 a month and running his business out of it, he is able to write off the property as a business expense, cleverly avoiding an estimated $73,000 in annual property taxes.
• Crypto Assets: Along with the rest of the NELK Boys, Kyle has diverted millions into Bitcoin and other digital assets, further diversifying his $25 million portfolio.

Understanding the Discrepancy: Is Kyle Forgeard Worth $5 Million or $25 Million?

When researching Kyle Forgeard’s net worth, you will often see two very different figures. Some sources report a conservative $5 million, while others claim he is sitting on a $25 million fortune. The reality lies in the difference between liquid cash and business equity.

The $5 million figure likely represents Kyle’s personal "liquid" wealth—money currently in the bank or personal assets. However, the $25 million estimation takes into account his ownership stakes in the Full Send and Happy Dad brands.

With Happy Dad valued at roughly $250 million, even a small percentage of ownership elevates his net worth significantly. While this money isn't "in his pocket" until he sells his shares, it represents a massive unrealized fortune that places him among the elite of the creator economy.

Success Secrets: The Forgeard Philosophy

Kyle’s journey from a Mississauga suburbanite to a Newport Beach mogul wasn’t an accident. His success is built on three core pillars that he often shares with his audience:

1. Know Your Worth: Forgeard realized early on that if YouTube wouldn't pay him through ads, he would build his own platforms (Full Send and Happy Dad) where he controlled the revenue.
2. Learn Your Market: He understood that his "party-hard" audience wanted more than just videos—they wanted a lifestyle they could wear and drink.
3. Don’t Overthink Your Ideas: From the $100,000 mortgage gamble to launching a seltzer in a competitive market, Kyle's career is defined by taking bold actions while others are still planning.

Conclusion: The Future of the Full Send Empire

Kyle Forgeard has proven that being a "YouTube prankster" was merely the first chapter of his career. By diversifying into apparel, beverages, real estate, and Web3, he has insulated himself from the volatility of social media algorithms.

With a $25 million net worth and a brand that shows no signs of slowing down, Kyle Forgeard remains the gold standard for how modern influencers can transform "clout" into a multi-generational business empire. Whether he is interviewing a former President or launching a new seltzer flavor, one thing is certain: Kyle Forgeard is always "Full Sending" it to the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How did Kyle Forgeard get rich?

Kyle built his wealth by leveraging his massive YouTube following into the Full Send merchandise brand and the Happy Dad hard seltzer company. His parents also famously took out a $100,000 mortgage to fund his first major merch drop.

Does Kyle Forgeard own Happy Dad?

Yes, Kyle is a co-founder of Happy Dad Hard Seltzer alongside SteveWillDoIt and other partners. The brand has a massive consumer base of over 50 million people.

How much does the Nelk Boys' merchandise make?

The Full Send brand is incredibly lucrative, reporting over $50 million in revenue in 2020 alone, with projections growing as they expand their "limited drop" strategy.

Where does Kyle Forgeard live?

He currently lives and works out of a luxury property in Newport Beach, California, which doubles as the headquarters for the Full Send operations.