Buying Local Podcast

Michael Nelson
  • 4.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Buying Local is a podcast dedicated to showcasing the small businesses, local food markets, and makers that make Saratoga, Warren, and Washington County shine. Hosted by Mike Nelson, each episode uncovers the fantastic goods, services, and stories hidden in your very own community. We’re here to support local economies—and spotlight the people behind the products and companies you love. Buying Local Podcast is powered by Five Towers Media.

  1. 1D AGO

    Visual Storytelling: The Creative Journey of Todd Bailey | Buying Local #71

    In episode 71 of the Buying Local podcast, host Mike Nelson catches up with creative powerhouse Todd Bailey to discuss his fascinating evolution from a performing musician to a Forbes-published photographer and fractional CMO. They dive deep into the impact of AI on content creation, the wild world of muscle cars, and why small businesses benefit immensely from fractional marketing leadership. You can connect with Todd and check out his extensive portfolio at tbphotopix.com. 0:00 Introduction and Welcoming Todd Bailey 0:43 Todd's Creative Journey: From Music to Photography 1:36 Evolving into Video and Digital Marketing 3:07 The Value of High-Quality vs. Mediocre Content 4:29 Getting Published in Forbes Magazine 5:34 The Ingenuity of Composite Team Photography 7:46 Balancing Photo, Video, and Marketing Services  9:48 Navigating AI in the Content Creation Space  13:37 The Dangers of Bad AI Headshot Generators  15:50 Saratoga Auto Museum and the Don Yenko Muscle Car Project 18:35 Thoughts on the Tesla Cybertruck 19:28 Returning to Music: From Retirement Homes to Rock Shows 21:46 Working with Big Brands vs. Small Businesses  23:25 Exciting Video Projects: Hanging off Trucks and YouTube Channels  26:12 What is a Fractional CMO and Why Do You Need One?

    30 min

  2. MAR 27

    Smarter IT and Cybersecurity with Jared Humiston | Buying Local #70

    In episode 70 of the Buying Local podcast, host Mike Nelson sits down with Jared Humiston of Adirondack Technical Solutions to talk about how businesses can better manage IT, strengthen cybersecurity, and avoid costly disruptions. Jared shares practical insights on common tech mistakes, proactive solutions, and why having the right IT partner is essential for growth. Learn more about Jared and Adirondack Technical Solutions at adktechs.com. 0:00 Introduction 0:42 Meet Jared Humiston and ADKtechs 1:35 What Adirondack Technical Solutions Does 4:15 Early Challenges Working with Small Businesses 5:42 The Most Common IT Problems Companies Face 8:28 Break/Fix IT vs Managed Services Explained 09:55 The Hidden Cost of Waiting for Things to Break 12:40 Cybersecurity Risks Small Businesses Overlook 15:32 Phishing and Human Error Vulnerabilities 18:20 How ADKtechs Helps Prevent Attacks 22:30 What Happens When You Lose Your Data 23:55 Supporting Remote and Hybrid Workforces 25:20 Cloud Systems and Accessibility 28:05 When to Upgrade Your Systems 29:30 Working with Local vs National IT Providers 33:35 Budgeting for IT the Right Way 36:10 Simple Steps to Improve IT Today 37:25 Jared’s Advice for Business Owners 38:40 Future Trends in IT and Cybersecurity 39:45 How to Get Started with ADKtechs 40:30 Where to Find Jared and Outro

    41 min

  3. MAR 20

    Simplifying Payroll: Why Smart Contractors Are Turning to PEOs | Buying Local #69

    In this episode of Buying Local, Mike Nelson sits down with Nick Schkrioba of Peoplease to break down how Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) help businesses simplify payroll, workers’ compensation, compliance, and HR operations. Nick explains how outsourcing back-office tasks allows business owners to focus on growth while gaining access to better insurance rates, risk mitigation, and nationwide support. Learn more about Nick and Peoplease at Peoplease.com. 0:00 Introduction 0:27 Meet Nick Schkrioba and Peoplease 1:08 What a Professional Employer Organization Does 1:53 Why Peoplease Focuses on Blue and Gray Collar Industries 2:37 Nick’s Career Journey and Returning to New York 3:58 Breaking Down the Core Services of a PEO 5:00 Why Compliance Is Harder Than Ever for Business Owners 6:00 The Rise of Outsourcing Back-Office Operations 06:38 The Limits of Traditional HR Departments 7:27 The Buying Power Advantage of a PEO 8:53 How Employee Pools Lower Insurance Costs 10:11 Nationwide Coverage for Multi-State Businesses 11:08 Clearing Up the Employee Ownership Misconception 13:46 Do PEOs Help With Hiring and HR Strategy? 15:14 How Risk Mitigation and Workers’ Comp Savings Work 17:12 Keeping Contracts with a Better Workers’ Comp Mod 20:04 Payroll, Compliance, and Safety Training Support 24:20 How to Connect With Nick and Peoplease

    26 min

  4. MAR 13

    Jacque Ecuyer Shares How Operation Give Back Honors Local Veterans | Buying Local #68

    In episode 68 of the Buying Local podcast, host Mike Nelson interviews Jacque Ecuyer, founder of the 4s4Life Foundation, about Operation Give Back—a free, all-day military appreciation event at Slickfin Brewing Company featuring live music, food trucks, raffles, and community camaraderie for veterans and their families. Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, the event directs 100% of proceeds to local veteran organizations, fostering appreciation, shared stories, and real support in the Glens Falls/Upper Hudson Valley area. You can find Jacque on Facebook and Instagram (@manupnotshutup), at 4s4life.com, and on the event site at operationgiveback.us.  0:00 Welcome to Buying Local with Mike Nelson 0:40 Introducing Jacque Ecuyer & 4s4Life 1:44 Why purpose keeps us sharp and young 2:30 What is Operation Give Back? 2:56 Fifth anniversary & exponential growth 3:44 Founding partners: Slickfin Brewing & Vested Veteran Grill 4:47 Event vibe: 1,500 people, rain or shine, huge patio 5:41 Raffles, silent auction & sponsor shirts 6:42 How it started over craft beer at the bar 8:51 Community support across Washington, Warren & Saratoga counties 10:29 Zero overhead: venue, bands & food all donated 12:04 Logistics, delegation & dream team 13:58 Choosing local beneficiaries 15:31 Shoutout to Adirondack Vets House 17:42 Future growth & April bowling kickoff “No Pins Left Behind.” 19:32 Shared values with Five Towers Media 21:24 New date: May 16th (between Mother’s Day & Memorial Day) 22:38 Full schedule, free entry, first $1,000 food covered by Adirondack Peer to Peer 23:46 How to get involved, donate, or sponsor 24:58 Moment of silence & emotional guitar Star-Spangled Banner 26:14 Closing thanks & where to find the event

    28 min

  5. MAR 10

    Support Cornell’s Annual Car Show Benefiting Folds of Honor | Buying Local #67

    In episode 67 of the Buying Local podcast, host Mike Nelson sits down with Casey Cornell, Sean Wilcoxon, Mike Colvett, and Ron Pastino to talk about Cornell’s Used Auto Parts’ annual charity car show and the mission behind it. The conversation explores how the local event is raising money for Folds of Honor while sharing the powerful story of a 9/11 first responder whose family benefited from the organization’s scholarships. Consider supporting Cornell’s Used Auto Parts 4th Annual Car Show benefiting Folds of Honor NY on May 2nd from 9am-3pm. If you’d like to donate or get more information about their sponsorship programs, please message Cornell’s Used Auto Parts on Facebook or call Mike at (518) 812-6282! Help provide scholarships to families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders. 0:00 Introduction and today’s special group format 1:10 What Cornell’s charity car show is all about 2:00 How the event grew from a small gathering to a major fundraiser 3:20 Sponsors and community support for the car show 4:30 Event details: date, location, and what attendees can expect 5:45 Ron Pastino introduces himself and his background in service 6:30 Deploying to Ground Zero after 9/11 7:30 The long-term health effects on first responders 9:10 The diagnosis that changed Ron’s life 10:30 Major surgeries and forced retirement from the State Police 12:00 Life after service and finding a new purpose 14:00 Discovering charities and finding help through Folds of Honor 15:30 How scholarships helped Ron’s children attend college 17:00 Managing long-term health and recovery 20:30 What Folds of Honor is and how it started 22:00 Why community events like the car show matter 24:00 How families can apply for scholarships 26:30 The importance of remembering the ongoing impact of 9/11 27:20 Final thanks and invitation to the car show

    28 min

  6. MAR 3

    Breaking Patterns & Rebuilding Yourself with Karen Carey | Buying Local #66

    In Episode 66 of the Buying Local Podcast, Mike Nelson sits down with intuitive life coach, speaker, and author Karen Carey to explore personal growth, emotional patterns, and the real work behind transformation. The conversation dives into her book Unbroken, unpacking how past experiences shape behavior, why discomfort often signals growth, and how self-awareness helps people rebuild their lives with intention and purpose. Connect with Karen Carey at rubyredroad.com to learn more about her coaching, speaking, and check out her book! 0:00 Welcome & introduction to Karen Carey 1:00 What an intuitive life coach actually does 2:30 Coaching misconceptions and skepticism 5:00 Experience vs. theory in helping people grow 8:30 Why discomfort is necessary for growth 12:30 Kintsugi and the philosophy behind Unbroken 14:30 Recognizing repeating life patterns 17:00 Coping mechanisms and behavioral loops 18:30 Trauma responses and emotional safety 20:00 Relearning how to have fun 22:30 Stress regulation and nervous system awareness 23:50 Writing a deeply personal book 27:00 Vulnerability and sharing your story publicly 35:30 Stop making yourself wrong 39:00 Communication tools and listening skills 41:30 Navigating hard conversations 47:00 Aging, wisdom, and continued growth 48:15 Who the book is for & where to find it 52:30 Final reflections and closing thoughts

    56 min

  7. FEB 20

    Real Estate Law Made Simple with Dan Wade | Buying Local #65

    In episode 65 of the Buying Local podcast, host Matt Knoth sits down with real estate attorney Dan Wade to break down what buyers and sellers need to know to avoid costly mistakes during the home-buying process, from inspections to utilities to title work. He also shares practical tips on protecting your money, managing stress, and making sure your closing goes smoothly. Learn more about Dan Wade and Ianniello Anderson, P.C. at ialawny.com or call (518) 371-8888. 0:00 Introducing attorney Dan Wade 1:52 What a real estate attorney actually does in a transaction 3:36 Why educating clients is a major part of Dan’s process 5:09 Real estate law as emotional support work 6:56 Dan’s unexpected career path (vet school to law) 8:27 How Dan got into real estate law and title work 10:01 Biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make 10:42 The dangers of waiving inspections 12:28 Seller mistakes: utilities and winter disasters 14:31 Preventing frozen pipes and winter damage 15:57 Buyer mistakes that can ruin financing (jobs, marriage, timing) 17:13 Scam warning: fake deed and “official” letters 18:43 Wiring fraud risks and how to protect your money 20:05 NY STAR program explained (free tax rebate) 22:07 Camps & Adirondack properties: special legal considerations 23:58 Where to find Dan and closing wrap-up

    25 min

  8. FEB 13

    The Power of Structured Networking: Gold Star Referral Clubs | Buying Local #64

    In this episode of Buying Local, Mike and Matthew sit down with Bob Fitch, Chris Leuzinger, and Shawn Moodie to break down how Gold Star Referral Clubs helps business owners grow through structured networking, relationship-building, and consistent referrals. They explain what makes their group different, how meetings are run, and why trust-based connections often outperform traditional advertising.  To learn more about them and Gold Star Referral Clubs, visit goldstarreferralclubs.com. 0:00 Introduction and the topic of Gold Star networking 1:05 Guest introductions (Bob Fitch, Chris Leuzinger, Shawn Moodie) 2:10 Chris explains what Nourishing Minds Tutoring does 3:00 Shawn talks about entrepreneurship and being a credit consultant 4:00 Shawn explains what Gold Star Referral Clubs is 5:20 Breakdown of the weekly meeting structure 6:15 Comparing Gold Star to other networking groups 7:55 “Structured, but still fun” networking environment 8:35 Bob compares networking to “dating” and finding the right fit 10:05 Gold Star is becoming more like a business family/community 12:45 Chris talks about expanding Gold Star into Glens Falls/Queensbury 13:50 Matt shares the “younger perspective” on networking 16:00 Introduction of “cross-clubbing” (visiting other chapters) 16:50 Chris explains how cross-clubbing expands opportunity fast 18:05 Shawn explains the “abundance mindset” and category flexibility 20:20 ROI discussion: how referrals outweigh membership cost 30:35 Real-life example: networking = connecting people who need help 34:55 Mike explains leveraging networks to reach ideal clients 36:55 Best practices: one-on-ones and building trust faster 42:05 Staying “top of mind” and why consistency matters long-term 52:25 Closing thoughts and where to find Gold Star

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Buying Local is a podcast dedicated to showcasing the small businesses, local food markets, and makers that make Saratoga, Warren, and Washington County shine. Hosted by Mike Nelson, each episode uncovers the fantastic goods, services, and stories hidden in your very own community. We’re here to support local economies—and spotlight the people behind the products and companies you love. Buying Local Podcast is powered by Five Towers Media.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Nelson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael Nelson
  • Show Website
    Buying Local Podcast