Episode 68

How Lucy Banks Built a Million-Dollar Brand Without Stripe or Ads | Ep 68

Published on: 22nd September, 2025

Lucy Banks went from corporate banking to becoming a top 1% OnlyFans creator — and now runs a PR & marketing agency for adult creators. In this episode, she exposes the harsh truths about building in the creator economy, why most OnlyFans accounts fail, and what it really takes to scale in the adult space.

We go deep into:

- The business behind OnlyFans

- Why creators need more than “just looks”

- Payment platform struggles in sex tech

- How Lucy made $1M+ on OnlyFans without going full-time

- Building tech & startups in taboo markets

Follow Lucy:


Instagram: [@imlucybanks](https://www.instagram.com/imlucybanks)

Agency: [@millionbillionmedia](https://www.instagram.com/millionbillionmedia)

LinkedIn: [Lucy Banks](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucybanksmbm/)


Timestamps


00:00 - Intro: Lucy Banks on Funds & Founders

01:00 - What people get wrong about OnlyFans in 2025

03:30 - The myth: “Being hot = success”

06:12 - Why 99% of creators make less than $300/month

08:40 - OnlyFans approval process and creator struggles

11:20 - Meet Million Billion Media — helping adult creators

14:45 - Censorship, shadowbans & banned bank accounts

18:40 - Why Stripe and Mailchimp block this industry

21:00 - Is sex tech the next billion-dollar wave?

25:12 - How to build a Stripe alternative for adult creators

29:00 - Go-to-market in a censored industry (no ads allowed)

34:35 - How to get creators to trust your startup

38:10 - Rev share models, affiliate structures, creator feedback

42:00 - Lucy’s story: From banking to OnlyFans

46:00 - Making $1M+ on OnlyFans (without going all in)

49:20 - What OnlyFans doesn’t do for creators

52:05 - Break down of revenue streams: subs, tips, chats

55:50 - Why OnlyFans still wins despite lacking features

58:30 - Top 5 growth tactics for new creators

01:07:30 - Closing thoughts & where to find Lucy

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About the Podcast

Funds and Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs
Welcome to "Funds & Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs," where we dig deep into the stories of successful Austin founders. Instead of focusing on their successes though, we dive into their journeys, particularly the struggles and obstacles they had to overcome.

This weekly podcast is tailored for Austin founders navigating the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey and hosted by fellow Austinite Abhinav Sinha. Here’s what to expect by tuning into Funds & Founders:

🚀 Embark on a Journey to Success
Join Abhinav as he takes you behind the scenes, exploring the highs and lows of building a company. This isn't your typical success story – we dive into the failures, the struggles, and those pivotal breakthrough moments that define a founder's path.

🌟 Real Conversations, Real Insights
Abhinav's approach is refreshingly different. Rather than dwelling on success, he crafts casual conversations that unravel the untold stories. Identify the setbacks that helped them grow, the lessons learned from failures, and the breakthrough moments that fueled these founders.

🤔 Why Didn't They Quit? Learn and Apply.
At the heart of each episode, Abhinav delves into the 'why' behind the perseverance. Why didn't they throw in the towel during tough times? And, most importantly, how can you apply their insights to your own journey? Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical takeaways for your entrepreneurial adventure.

🤝 Decoding Venture Capital
Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of Austin's venture capitalists? Abhinav sits down with local VCs to decode their criteria for investing in early-stage companies. Gain valuable insights into the world of venture capital, understand what investors look for, and appreciate the vital factor of founder-investor compatibility.

🎙️ Meet Your Host, Abhinav Sinha:
Abhinav's soft-spoken yet inquisitive style creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to share their authentic stories. His genuine curiosity and insightful questions make each episode a captivating journey into the minds of Austin's most successful founders.

If you're a budding Austin entrepreneur seeking the inspiration and insight needed for building a successful company, "Funds & Founders" is your go-to podcast.

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