Stuart Schuffman, better known as Broke-Ass Stuart, isn’t just another local personality - he’s a San Francisco cultural icon who bridged the pre-social media and digital influencer worlds with raw authenticity and humor.

Starting with a homemade zine in 2004 called “Broke Ass Stuart’s Guide to Living Cheaply in San Francisco,” Schuffman transformed his passion for storytelling into a multifaceted career spanning travel writing, television hosting, and political activism. His journey reflects the dynamic spirit of San Francisco itself - rebellious, creative, and unapologetically genuine.

Schuffman’s career trajectory reads like a love letter to unconventional success. From working in a North Beach candy store to becoming a Lonely Planet travel writer, he consistently challenged traditional media narratives. His TV show “Young, Broke and Beautiful” on IFC captured the spirit of budget travel before streaming platforms made such content mainstream.

His mayoral campaign in 2011 wasn’t about winning, but about amplifying marginalized voices and injecting humor into serious political discourse. “I’m better serving the populace by agitating from the sidelines and getting people to laugh at what’s going on,” he explains.

What sets Schuffman apart is his commitment to platform diversity and representation. Long before inclusivity became a buzzword, he was providing space for voices like his transgender friend Shakina, who wrote a groundbreaking column about dating while trans on his website in 2014.

Now, with the release of his book “The Worst of Broke-Ass Stuart: 20 Years of Love, Death and Dive Bars,” he’s documenting two decades of San Francisco stories. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors even declared October 17, 2025, “Broke-Ass Stuart Day” - a testament to his cultural impact.

Schuffman represents a unique breed of storyteller - part journalist, part comedian, part cultural documentarian - who understands that authentic narratives transcend traditional media boundaries.

As he reflects on his journey, one thing becomes clear: Broke-Ass Stuart isn’t just documenting San Francisco’s culture; he’s been actively shaping it.