How Canadian Creators Turned OnlyFans’ Humble Start Into a Wild Gold Rush

💡 The Origin of OnlyFans: Canada’s Quiet Obsession

Alright, so here’s the thing: If you’ve scrolled through TikTok, tuned into late-night podcasts, or even just eavesdropped at a downtown Toronto coffee shop, you’ve probably heard OnlyFans come up. But most folks—even savvy creators—have no clue how it actually started, or why so many Canadians are riding this wild money train.

Here’s the classic setup: OnlyFans is everywhere. It’s sparked everything from influencer feuds to family dramas and even career makeovers. But let’s bring it back—who actually built this beast, and how did it evolve from a tiny UK startup to a global content juggernaut with everyone from fitness coaches to comedians (and yes, plenty of adult stars) cashing in?

The real kicker? OnlyFans didn’t start as an “adults only” platform. It was born in 2016 in London, UK, thanks to father-son duo Guy and Tim Stokely. Their dream was simple: let creators of all stripes get paid directly by fans—no middleman, no drama. But the internet had other plans, and by 2018, the company was snapped up by a low-key entrepreneur named Leonid Radvinsky, who saw the potential for something much, much bigger.

Fast-forward to 2025, and OnlyFans is pulling in hundreds of millions, paying out billions to creators, and dominating headlines in Canada and beyond. So what happened? Let’s break down the timeline, the players, and why it matters for every Canadian hustler eyeing the next big thing.

📊 OnlyFans: The Growth Timeline (2016–2025)

Here’s what jumps out from the numbers: OnlyFans was a slow burn at first, but the 2020 pandemic changed the game. With everyone stuck at home, creators (and fans) flocked to the platform, driving profit through the roof. By 2023, profits hit a record $485.5M—up 20% from the year before, and the curve isn’t flattening. The platform’s secret sauce? Diversification. Radvinsky’s bet on bringing in mainstream talent—comedians, trainers, singers—helped OnlyFans shake off its “one-trick pony” label and attract a broader, more legit user base.

For Canadian creators, that means more opportunity than ever. Whether you’re a personal trainer in Vancouver or a standup comic in Montreal, the door’s wide open. And with profits still climbing in 2025, it’s clear: OnlyFans isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving.

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💡 Why OnlyFans Took Off—And What’s Next for Creators

Let’s talk about what’s really happening behind those numbers. OnlyFans’ original launch was pretty low-key: the Stokelys set it up as a way for any creator to get paid directly by fans. But the adult industry, always on the lookout for new revenue streams, jumped in with both feet. By the time Radvinsky took the reins in 2018, the platform was primed for a boom.

What happened next? A perfect storm. The pandemic forced everyone online, and suddenly, a whole new class of creators—nurses, teachers, even B-list celebs—were setting up accounts. Canadian creators, always fast to spot a trend, went from “curious” to “all-in” in record time. Now, you’ve got everyone from puppeteers launching live shows [GlobeNewswire, 2025-07-10] to comedians and fitness trainers growing real businesses.

But let’s not sugarcoat it—adult content still drives a big chunk of the platform’s cashflow and controversy. Mainstream headlines are full of wild stories: creators getting booted from luxury Airbnbs for bikini shoots, or pulling off marathon “stunts” with jaw-dropping numbers [The Tab, 2025-07-11]. Meanwhile, some creators are pushing boundaries with “competitive sex” challenges, sparking huge debates about empowerment vs. exploitation [Us Weekly, 2025-07-10].

So what’s the forecast? In 2025, OnlyFans is laser-focused on expansion: more legit creators, less stigma, and fresh verticals like comedy, music, and puppetry (yup, you read that right). For Canadians, whether you’re in Toronto, Halifax, or Moose Jaw, that means more ways to stand out—and a bigger pie to grab a slice of.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Who actually founded OnlyFans, and is it still a UK company?

💬 OnlyFans was founded in 2016 by British father-son duo Guy and Tim Stokely. But in 2018, Leonid Radvinsky bought a majority stake, and the business is now run by Fenix International Ltd (UK-based), though Radvinsky himself is based in Florida, USA. So, roots in the UK, but very global now!

🛠️ How did OnlyFans get so big, and was it always for adult content?

💬 Nope! OnlyFans started as a paywall for all kinds of creators—fitness, cooking, you name it. But the adult scene saw the money first and ran with it, especially during the pandemic. Now, the platform is hustling to bring in comedians, trainers, and musicians too, so it’s way more diverse than it used to be.

🧠 Is it risky to build a career on OnlyFans in 2025?

💬 Honestly, yeah—there’s always platform risk (they can change the rules), and public opinion swings fast. But the money is real, and Canadian creators are crushing it if they play it smart, keep it legal, and diversify their income streams. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, eh?

🧩 Final Thoughts…

If you’re Canadian and even slightly internet-savvy, the OnlyFans story should be a wake-up call. It started as a side project, blew up into a global business, and now it’s a legit path for creators of all kinds. The risks? Sure, they’re real. But the opportunities are huge—especially as OnlyFans keeps reinventing itself with new content verticals and a growing fanbase. If you’re thinking of getting in, do your homework, stay nimble, and don’t believe everything you read in the headlines.

📚 Further Reading

Here are 3 recent articles that give more context to this topic — all selected from verified sources. Feel free to explore 👇

🔸 I was thrown out of a $4K a night Airbnb for taking bikini photos — the hosts accused me of ‘filming porn’
🗞️ Source: New York Post – 📅 2025-07-11
🔗 Read Article

🔸 No showering to condom carpet: All the nasty tmi details from Lily Phillips’ 1,113-man stunt
🗞️ Source: The Tab – 📅 2025-07-11
🔗 Read Article

🔸 All Your Curious Questions About Bonnie Blue, Answered
🗞️ Source: Marie Claire Australia – 📅 2025-07-11
🔗 Read Article

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📌 Disclaimer

This post blends publicly available information with a touch of AI assistance. It’s meant for sharing and discussion purposes only — not all details are officially verified. Please take it with a grain of salt and double-check when needed.