Kyle Forgeard, co-founder of the wildly popular Nelk Boys YouTube channel, is an influential figure in the entertainment and entrepreneurship worlds. Known for his audacious stunts and relentless drive, Forgeard has built a name and a substantial net worth, estimated at approximately $5 million in 2024. His journey from YouTube stardom to creating a diversified business empire exemplifies how influential online creators can leverage their popularity into far-reaching business ventures.
Early Beginnings and the Birth of Nelk Boys
Forgeard’s rise to fame started in the early 2010s when he co-founded Nelk Boys with Jesse Sebastiani and other team members. Their goal was to create a new type of YouTube content — one that blended humor with real-life pranks and stunts. Forgeard initially produced and starred in their videos, quickly gaining a reputation for his bold and often controversial sense of humor.
Nelk Boys quickly differentiated themselves from traditional YouTube content, capturing a massive audience with their “Full Send” ethos, meaning to give 100% effort or dive fully into something. This mentality resonated with millions, especially younger audiences, helping Nelk grow into one of the most influential channels on the platform. Today, their videos cover a broad range of content, from pranks to event vlogs and guest interviews, all done in their signature, no-holds-barred style.
YouTube Stardom and Subscriber Milestones
Thanks to Forgeard’s leadership and vision, Nelk Boys has amassed over 8 million subscribers, becoming a key player in YouTube’s entertainment sector. Their most famous videos often show the team participating in pranks that push the limits of social norms and sometimes even the law. This success on YouTube laid the foundation for Forgeard’s business ventures, enabling him to diversify beyond just content creation.
Over the years, the Nelk team faced challenges, including video demonetization and content bans due to their sometimes edgy and provocative themes. Rather than back down, Forgeard embraced this as an opportunity to innovate, looking beyond YouTube revenue and focusing on building a self-sustaining brand.
Merchandise and Full Send Brand Development
Capitalizing on their popularity, Forgeard transformed Nelk Boys into more than a YouTube channel — he created a lifestyle brand. The Full Send merchandise line has become a substantial part of Nelk’s revenue stream, featuring everything from clothing to accessories with their signature branding. Limited-edition releases generate significant income and foster a sense of exclusivity among fans, with products often selling out within hours.
The Full Send brand isn’t limited to just merchandise. Over time, it has grown into a recognizable symbol, representing a carefree and adventurous lifestyle that resonates deeply with their fanbase. This brand evolution allows Nelk Boys to leverage their audience loyalty, creating high demand for their products and turning them into a profitable venture. For Kyle Forgeard, the Full Send brand serves as both a personal ethos and a lucrative business.
The Launch of Happy Dad Seltzer: A New Business Frontier
Among Forgeard’s most significant business ventures is the Happy Dad seltzer brand, a hard seltzer created in partnership with his Nelk colleague Steve Will Do It (Steve Deleonardis). Known for its distinct flavor and clever marketing, Happy Dad has carved out a niche in the highly competitive alcoholic beverage market. The seltzer appeals not only to Nelk’s fans but also to a broader audience seeking a refreshing alternative in the seltzer market.
Since its launch, Happy Dad has enjoyed impressive growth, fueled by Kyle’s innovative promotional strategies and the Nelk team’s massive online influence. The drink’s popularity demonstrates Forgeard’s talent for tapping into market trends and catering to consumer desires. Moreover, the collaboration has opened doors for future ventures in the beverage industry, further enhancing Forgeard’s net worth and financial independence from YouTube’s often unpredictable monetization policies.
Expanding Influence with the Full Send Podcast
Not content with YouTube and Happy Dad, Kyle and the Nelk team launched the Full Send Podcast, which quickly became a prominent platform for interviews and discussions with celebrities, entrepreneurs, and political figures. Episodes feature a wide range of guests, from UFC President Dana White to former President Donald Trump. By branching into the podcasting world, Forgeard has expanded his reach and captured a new segment of listeners who enjoy candid and unfiltered conversations.
The podcast not only strengthens Nelk’s brand but also serves as a lucrative business opportunity. Sponsorships and partnerships within the podcasting industry are valuable, providing Forgeard with additional revenue streams that support his growing net worth. The Full Send Podcast also enhances Forgeard’s public image, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt to different media formats, making him a true multimedia entrepreneur.
Controversies and Publicity
Despite his success, Forgeard’s journey has not been without controversy. Over the years, Nelk Boys has faced multiple content bans, arrests, and legal issues. In some cases, their pranks led to arrests, such as the time the team was detained for impersonating security officers in a prank video. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nelk faced significant backlash for organizing large gatherings in defiance of social distancing guidelines, leading to widespread criticism and, in some cases, sanctions on their channel.
Forgeard’s response to these controversies has been to embrace them as part of the Nelk brand identity, reinforcing their reputation as rebels willing to push boundaries. This approach has often paid off, with the controversies bringing even more attention and subscribers to their channel. However, it has also meant that Forgeard has had to continually innovate his business model to withstand YouTube’s evolving policies regarding monetization and content restrictions.
Personal Life and Inspirations
Behind his on-screen persona, Kyle Forgeard has often spoken about his inspirations and the motivations that fuel his entrepreneurial drive. Growing up in Canada, Kyle displayed an independent and creative spirit from a young age, frequently experimenting with different types of content before founding Nelk. His resilience and adaptability have played crucial roles in his success, allowing him to overcome the challenges of an unpredictable industry.
Kyle’s journey reflects a commitment not only to creating entertainment but also to building a legacy that goes beyond social media. While he maintains a relatively private personal life, his dedication to his fans and his work is evident in the time and effort he invests in Nelk’s ongoing evolution.
Financial Success and Net Worth Growth
As of 2024, Kyle Forgeard’s net worth stands around $5 million, a sum accrued from his diverse business ventures. YouTube may have been his initial claim to fame, but his wealth now largely stems from the Full Send brand, the podcast, Happy Dad Seltzer, and other entrepreneurial projects. Forgeard’s business acumen has allowed him to navigate the volatile nature of online fame and establish a stable financial foundation, setting an example for others in the industry.
Kyle’s success illustrates how creators can harness their audience’s loyalty to build a business that endures beyond the lifespan of social media trends. His adaptability and willingness to take risks have set him apart in an increasingly crowded field, ensuring that he remains relevant and financially secure.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, Kyle Forgeard and the Nelk Boys brand show no signs of slowing down. Kyle has hinted at future collaborations, product expansions, and even more media projects that will further establish Nelk’s presence in the entertainment and business worlds. With his knack for spotting trends and his fearless approach to entrepreneurship, Forgeard is well-positioned to continue his upward trajectory, both in terms of influence and wealth.
