Inside Onlyfans: Ceo Keily Blair Reveals The Secret Behind Its Lean Team

OnlyFans' Unique Approach to Staffing

Keily Blair, the CEO of OnlyFans, recently shared a surprising aspect of the company’s operations: it runs with just 42 full-time employees. This revelation is even more astounding considering the platform serves over 400 million users worldwide and supports nearly 4 million content creators. Established in 2016, OnlyFans is known for its subscription-based model that brings in about $7 billion annually. Blair’s insights were shared during a conversation with Jeff Berman on the Masters of Scale podcast at the November Web Summit in Lisbon.

Eliminating Middle Management

The Strategy Behind a Lean Team

Blair explained that the lean workforce is no accident but the result of a deliberate strategy to do away with middle-management roles. "We hire incredibly senior talent, and then we hire incredibly hungry junior talent," Blair said, emphasizing the importance of attitude and aptitude over experience. By focusing on hiring the right talent and cutting out layers of management, OnlyFans ensures a nimble and efficient operation. Blair even humorously noted that in her experience, "nobody's ever had a really good middle manager."

“You can be a team of one and deliver exceptional results, and that will be so valued,” Blair shared, underlining the company’s unique performance-focused ethos.

Performance Over Headcount

At OnlyFans, success isn’t measured by how many people report to you, but by the results you deliver. Blair stressed that this culture of individual contribution is at the heart of the company’s achievements. "There is no 'manager track' for progression; everyone is an individual contributor," she explained. This approach aligns with a broader trend in Big Tech, where many companies are cutting back on middle-management layers.

Beyond Its NSFW Image

Blair, who took over as CEO in 2023 after a career in law, also addressed OnlyFans' reputation. Initially a platform for creators to monetize content, it’s now widely known for adult material. However, under Blair’s leadership, the company continues to emphasize innovation and efficiency, reflecting shifts seen across the tech industry.