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What happens when a small business gets unexpected media attention—and the entire community shows up because of it?

In Episode 14 of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, we’re sharing the wild, exciting, and honestly surreal week where our store was featured by the Associated Press… and everything changed overnight.

From a surprise in-store interview about Albany’s iconic Nipper the Dog to a surge in customers, online orders, and community support, this episode captures the real impact of visibility, storytelling, and local pride.

We take you behind the scenes of:

• Getting interviewed on camera (with zero warning 😅)
• The ripple effect of press coverage on a small retail business
• The surge in Nipper merchandise sales after the feature
• Meeting unforgettable new customers (including one ultimate superfan)
• The power of authentic community connection in downtown Albany

But that’s just the beginning…

We also dive into the growing energy around South Broadway (SoBro) and what feels like a turning point moment for downtown Albany. From packed First Fridays to new collaborations between small businesses, there’s something happening—and you can feel it.

In this episode, we also talk about:

• The launch of our SoBro 518 Day race team
• Local business collaborations shaping the future of Albany
• A sneak peek at upcoming events and pop-ups
• Why community-driven growth matters more than ever

Plus, we highlight some of the incredible people who make this journey possible—our superfans, supporters, and local partners who continue to show up for us in the most meaningful ways.

This episode is about more than just a news feature.
It’s about momentum. Energy. And what happens when a community starts to believe in itself again.

If you love real small business stories, community energy, and behind-the-scenes moments—follow, rate, and share this episode with someone who believes in shopping local 💛

Keywords: small business podcast, Albany NY, downtown Albany, Nipper dog Albany, Associated Press feature, local business story, entrepreneurship podcast, retail business owner, small business marketing, community building, 518 Day Albany, Capital Region events, South Broadway Albany, SoBro Albany, Fort Orange General Store, shop local Albany, First Friday Albany

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business.

📍 Visit us in person:
Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY

🛍️ Shop online:
fortorangegeneralstore.com

📲 Follow along on social:
Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore

💬 Join the conversation:
Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together.

Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories.

Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only)

What does it really look like to run a small business, raise a family, and help rebuild a downtown community—all at the same time?

In Episode 13 of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, we’re taking you inside one of our busiest (and most meaningful) weeks yet.

From planning Albany’s first-ever 518 Day celebration to launching new products and Mother’s Day gift baskets, this episode is packed with real-life moments, behind-the-scenes business insight, and the community connections that make it all worth it.

We also share:

• Listener stories and heartfelt reactions to our Nipper episode 🐶
• A hilarious (and slightly traumatic) childhood duck story 🦆
• The reality of juggling entrepreneurship with kids’ sports schedules ⚾
• What it takes to bring new energy back to downtown Albany
• The story behind our new Old Albany apothecary collection

Plus, we break down everything you need to know about the upcoming 518 Day event, including:

• The 5.18K race
• Downtown events, vendors, and live music
• Local collaborations shaping the future of Albany

This episode is a reminder that small business isn’t just about selling products—it’s about building community, creating memories, and showing up (even when life gets chaotic).

If you love real, unfiltered small business stories—make sure to follow, rate, and share this episode with someone who supports local 💛

Keywords: small business podcast, Albany NY, downtown Albany, 518 Day, Capital Region events, entrepreneurship podcast, family business, retail business owner, small business life, Fort Orange General Store, local business stories, community building, Mother’s Day gifts, apothecary products, handmade products, Albany events 2026

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business.

📍 Visit us in person:
Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY

🛍️ Shop online:
fortorangegeneralstore.com

📲 Follow along on social:
Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore

💬 Join the conversation:
Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together.

Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories.

Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only)

In this episode of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, Joe Slichko and Erica Cubello talk about one of the most recognizable—and most frequently asked about—symbols in Albany:

Nipper.

If you’ve ever visited Fort Orange General Store, you’ve likely seen the iconic dog featured throughout the shop. And if you’re from out of town, you’ve probably asked the same question they hear almost every day:

“Who is that dog?”

Joe and Erica start with the story they often share with customers—explaining Nipper’s connection to RCA, the famous image of the dog listening to a phonograph, and how a massive statue of him still sits on a building in Downtown Albany today.

From there, they dive deeper into the history of Nipper, exploring where he came from, how he became a global advertising icon, and why he continues to hold such a strong connection to Albany across generations.

They discuss:

• The origins of Nipper and the “His Master’s Voice” image
• How RCA helped turn Nipper into a worldwide symbol
• The history of the Nipper statue in Albany
• Local traditions and public art installations
• Why certain symbols become deeply tied to a city’s identity

But the episode doesn’t stop with history.

It shifts into something more personal.

Joe and Erica share how Nipper’s presence in their store has shaped customer experience—and how, over time, their own dog Rue has become a beloved part of Fort Orange General Store.

From greeting customers at the door to becoming a familiar face for regulars (and even inspiring her own merchandise), Rue has taken on a role they never planned—but now couldn’t imagine the store without.

They reflect on:

• How customers connect with Rue in unexpected ways
• The role of personality in a retail space
• How something small can become part of a brand’s identity
• The way business and family life naturally blend together

At its core, this episode is about more than a famous dog.

It’s about connection—between people, places, and the stories that bring them together.

Because sometimes what people remember most about a business…

isn’t just what you sell.

It’s how it makes them feel.

Keywords: Nipper Albany NY, RCA dog history, Albany landmarks, Fort Orange General Store, small business storytelling, retail customer experience, shop dog, small business podcast, entrepreneurship, entrepre

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business.

📍 Visit us in person:
Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY

🛍️ Shop online:
fortorangegeneralstore.com

📲 Follow along on social:
Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore

💬 Join the conversation:
Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you.

🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together.

Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories.

Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW