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Welcome to the very first episode of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store—a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens when you run a brick-and-mortar small business while raising a family and navigating marriage at the same time.

In this episode, hosts Joe Slichko and Erica Cubello share an honest, unfiltered conversation about surviving their first true holiday retail season after taking over Fort Orange General Store in Albany, NY. From designing an immersive winter wonderland storefront to selecting seasonal products that actually sell, Erica breaks down how creative vision, intentional merchandising, and storytelling drive foot traffic and customer experience.

Joe brings the analytical side of entrepreneurship into the conversation—talking finances, logistics, and the stress that comes with running a small business during the busiest time of year. Together, they unpack how those pressures spilled over into their personal lives, testing communication, trust, and patience at home.

You’ll hear:

• What it really takes to plan and execute a successful holiday retail season
• How window displays and store design influence customer behavior
• Product selection strategies for small, locally curated shops
• Lessons for entrepreneurs working with imperfect spaces and limited resources
• How running a business together impacts marriage and family life
• Real talk about blending families, raising four kids, and managing chaos
• A hilarious (and very real) parenting story involving a three-year-old and Elf on the Shelf

This episode is for small business owners, retail entrepreneurs, creative founders, and anyone balancing ambition with family life. It’s about more than sales—it’s about community, resilience, and building something meaningful even when conditions aren’t perfect.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the counter of a local shop—or how entrepreneurs juggle business growth, relationships, and parenting—this episode sets the tone for everything Small Business, Big Life is about.

🎧 Subscribe, follow, and share to support a growing independent podcast—and join us next week as we continue sharing the wins, struggles, and stories from inside Fort Orange General Store.

Keywords: small business podcast, retail entrepreneurship, holiday retail season, brick and mortar business, family business, creative entrepreneurship, l

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.

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