The $300 Million Empire: Who Really Owns Happy Dad Seltzer? The Full Story Behind The Nelk Boys' Brand
The ownership of Happy Dad Seltzer is a fascinating case study in modern celebrity entrepreneurship, blending the massive reach of social media influencers with seasoned business acumen. As of late 2025, the hard seltzer brand is not owned by a single person but by a powerful partnership between the viral YouTube collective, the Nelk Boys, and the entrepreneurial Shahidi Brothers, who manage the day-to-day operations and strategic growth. This unique collaboration has propelled Happy Dad from a concept brainstormed in 2020 to a beverage giant with an estimated valuation approaching $300 million.
Launched in June 2021, Happy Dad Seltzer quickly carved out a significant niche in the crowded hard seltzer market, largely by leveraging the Nelk Boys' massive, dedicated audience—a tactic that major beverage companies have struggled to replicate. The brand's success is a direct result of this synergy, combining the Nelk Boys’ "Full Send" lifestyle brand with the Shahidi brothers' executive experience in media and technology, most notably through their company, Shots Studios.
The Architects of the Happy Dad Empire: Complete Founder Profiles
Happy Dad Hard Seltzer was founded by a core trio of entrepreneurs. The official founding team is widely cited as Kyle Forgeard from the Nelk Boys, and brothers John Shahidi and Sam Shahidi. Other key members of the Nelk Boys, such as Stephen "SteveWillDoIt" Deleonardis, were instrumental in the brand's conceptualization and initial marketing, and are considered key stakeholders.
Below is a detailed profile of the primary owners and executives:
- Kyle Forgeard (Co-Founder, Nelk Boys)
- Role: Co-Founder and Public Face of the Nelk Boys / Full Send brand.
- Born: July 12, 1994, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
- Background: Canadian YouTuber, comedian, and entrepreneur. He is the unofficial leader and co-founder of the YouTube channel Nelk (often stylized as NELK) and the Full Send Podcast. His viral prank videos and party-centric lifestyle laid the foundation for the Happy Dad brand's target demographic and marketing strategy.
- Sam Shahidi (Co-Founder, CEO)
- Role: Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Happy Dad Hard Seltzer.
- Born: August 1, 1983.
- Background: Iranian-American businessperson and co-founder of Shots Studios, a media company that has worked with major influencers and artists. Sam brings the corporate structure, distribution negotiation skills, and executive leadership necessary to scale a national beverage company.
- John Shahidi (Co-Founder, President)
- Role: Co-Founder and President of Happy Dad Hard Seltzer.
- Born: December 30, 1979.
- Background: Iranian-American entrepreneur and software engineer. He is the CEO of Shots Studios and previously co-founded RockLive, a mobile game company. His deep experience in media, technology, and business development has been crucial for Happy Dad's rapid expansion and high-profile partnerships.
The Business Model: Influencer Marketing Meets Corporate Strategy
The core of Happy Dad's ownership structure is the fusion of two distinct business worlds. The Nelk Boys provide the unparalleled organic reach and cultural relevance, while the Shahidi Brothers supply the operational expertise.
The Shahidi brothers, through their work at Shots Studios, were already deeply embedded in the influencer economy, giving them a unique understanding of how to translate digital fame into tangible product sales. They structured the company to avoid the common pitfalls of celebrity-backed brands, focusing on a quality product with a simple value proposition: a better-tasting, less-carbonated hard seltzer packaged in a traditional, easy-to-hold can ("no skinny can bullsh*t").
This strategy paid off almost immediately. The brand achieved over $120 million in sales in its first few years and is currently valued at an estimated $250 million to $300 million as of 2025. The estimated annual revenue is approximately $67.1 million, demonstrating the brand’s financial muscle in the competitive beverage industry.
Happy Dad's Explosive Growth and Strategic Partnerships (2024-2025)
Happy Dad's ownership has not rested on the initial success of its core seltzer line. Recent years have been marked by aggressive expansion and high-profile strategic moves that solidify its position as a major player in the alcoholic beverage landscape. This continuous, fresh growth is a key indicator of the owners' ambition.
Recent Financial and Distribution Milestones
- Strategic Investments: The company has recently secured significant financial backing, including a strategic investment from Kalyan Hospitality and a substantial new facility from Assembled Brands Capital. These investments provide the capital necessary for further national expansion and product development.
- Distribution Expansion: Happy Dad has been continuously growing its footprint, recently announcing new distribution partners in key markets like Arizona, including Hensley Beverage, Romer Beverage, and III Cities Beverage. The product is produced at Minhas Craft Brewery, one of the oldest continuously run breweries in the US.
- Industry Recognition: In a testament to its startup success, Happy Dad Hard Seltzer & Tea was recognized as one of LinkedIn's Top Startups for 2024, securing the 13th spot overall and ranking first in the food and beverage category.
The Landmark Joe Rogan Experience Partnership
Perhaps the most significant strategic move to date is the exclusive partnership with The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE), the world's most popular podcast. Led by Happy Dad President John Shahidi, the deal establishes Happy Dad as the first hard seltzer partner of the JRE, commencing in September 2025. This partnership is a game-changer, providing the brand with unparalleled exposure to tens of millions of listeners globally, further justifying the brand's high valuation.
Product Line and Flavor Entities
The brand's initial success was built on its simple, refreshing formula: 5% ABV, 100 calories, 1 gram of sugar, and gluten-free. The core offering is the Hard Seltzer Variety Pack, which features four foundational flavors. The company has since expanded its product line to maintain topical authority and market share.
Core Hard Seltzer Flavors
- Wild Cherry
- Pineapple
- Watermelon
- Lemon Lime
Product Line Extensions
To capture a broader market, the Happy Dad brand has successfully launched new product categories, including:
- Happy Dad Hard Tea
- Happy Dad Hard Lemonade
Addressing Rumors: Is Donald Trump Jr. an Owner?
Due to the Nelk Boys' well-publicized political affiliations and past interactions with the Trump family, speculation has circulated online, particularly on platforms like Reddit, that Donald Trump Jr. may hold an ownership stake in Happy Dad Seltzer. While the Nelk Boys have openly supported and collaborated with the Trump family in the past, there is no credible, citable public record or press release from the company or major news outlets confirming that Donald Trump Jr. is a direct owner or investor in Happy Dad Hard Seltzer. The official ownership remains the partnership between the Nelk Boys and the Shahidi Brothers. Any mention of his direct ownership should be treated as unverified internet speculation.
Detail Author:
- Name : Mr. Holden Mayer Jr.
- Username : zbednar
- Email : dante95@maggio.org
- Birthdate : 2001-11-02
- Address : 4493 Cleora Rest Alysafurt, WY 66923-9049
- Phone : 1-972-485-6220
- Company : Friesen-Runolfsson
- Job : Forester
- Bio : Natus aliquam quia quis sint. Voluptas voluptate hic fuga temporibus ad. Nemo et voluptatem ducimus incidunt id.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/terrywaelchi
- username : terrywaelchi
- bio : Tenetur in unde aut reprehenderit voluptas. Rerum quo et repellat aut porro. Dolorem vel et enim.
- followers : 3914
- following : 1417
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@waelchi2009
- username : waelchi2009
- bio : At blanditiis sit recusandae. Alias laudantium laborum fugiat.
- followers : 4497
- following : 639
