13: 518 Day, Downtown Albany Revival & The Reality of Running a Small Business (With Kids, Chaos & Community

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 collectionPlus, 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 showThanks 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