Ealing Podcaster Rebuilds Business at Start-Up School

Council delivered programme helping local entrepreneurs

Rachael Sanya says the programme helped her rethink her approach. Picture: Ealing Council

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January 20, 2026

Ealing Council’s Start-Up School is helping residents turn ideas into income — and one local entrepreneur is proof it works.

Rachael Sanya, a podcaster from Ealing, has transformed her business after completing the borough’s Start-Up School, an eight-week online programme designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs build sustainable ventures. Her podcast production and strategy service, which tackles sensitive topics like fertility, menopause, and invisible illness, now reaches new audiences thanks to the confidence and tools she gained from the course.

“I’d been running my business for years, but I didn’t have a clear plan or strategy,” Rachael said. “The course helped me rethink my approach, identify my ideal clients, and create a one-page business plan I can always refer back to.”

Start-Up School, funded by the Greater London Authority and delivered by Ealing Council’s adult learning team Learn Ealing, has supported nearly 600 residents since 2021. The next cohort begins on 22 January.

Rachael joined the programme during a turning point. Her original client base — academics and faith leaders — could no longer fund podcast projects due to economic shifts. She needed to pivot, and the course gave her the structure to do so.

“It was exactly what I needed at the right time,” she said. “The group sessions were collaborative and supportive. People were open to helping each other, and the mix of video lessons, mentoring, and practical exercises made a real difference.”

Since graduating, Rachael has secured new clients and launched podcasts that resonate with wider audiences. She now uses the principles she learned not only for her own business, but also to guide her clients.

Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, cabinet member for decent living incomes, praised the programme: “Start-Up School is a fantastic initiative aimed at helping people start and succeed at their business. We’re proud to support it.”

Whether you’re refining an existing business or just starting out, the next course begins on 22 January. For details and registration, visit the Start-Up School for Seniors website.

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