Most founders say they want to sell their business someday… but they’ve built a company that can’t be sold. In this episode of the E Forge Podcast, we break down the hard truth: revenue doesn’t equal business value, and hustle doesn’t create an exit. If your company only works because you’re holding everything together, you don’t own an asset, you own a job with overhead. Certified Exit Planning Advisor Troy Hoffman explains what actually increases business valuation, what buyers look for, and how to build a company that can scale, operate, and grow without the founder.

You’ll learn how to reduce key-person dependency, install real operating systems, build an executive team, and de-risk the company so it becomes attractive in the M&A market. Troy also shares why founders should start tax planning and estate planning years in advance, why ego kills companies, and how the right rooms, mentors, and frameworks (like EOS / Scaling Up) accelerate growth. Whether you’re at $3M, $5M, $10M, or $30M in revenue, this conversation is a step-by-step mindset shift: build like a buyer, not just an owner—so you have options, leverage, and a real exit strategy.

What You’ll Learn / Highlights

→ Why revenue ≠ value (and what creates real business valuation)

→ The #1 reason businesses can’t sell: founder dependency

→ What buyers actually want in a company (de-risking + systems)

→ How to go from 80-hour weeks → 8 hours a week → 8 hours a month

→ Green flags for choosing coaches, advisors, and operator mentors

→ Why ego kills companies (and how to build with humility + process)

→ Why to start tax planning 6 years before an exit

→ The “facts over feelings” approach: score your sellability and close gaps

→ How to build a leadership team and operating cadence (meetings, dashboards)

Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below.

Ai Authority Engine  https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine

YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong

Apple  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933

Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/

Disclaimer - 

This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

If your website traffic is dropping even though your SEO is solid, you’re not crazy, AI search is changing how customers find businesses. People aren’t scrolling Google like they used to. They’re asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, and Google AI Overviews and getting an answer before they ever click a website. And here’s the scary part: AI often picks one business (maybe 3–5 max) and calls it “the best” based on credibility signals, not just keywords. That means your business can lose leads even while you still rank on page one.

In this episode of the E Forge Podcast, Cory Long answers the top 10 AI questions business owners are really asking, including how AI decides who to recommend, why traditional SEO isn’t enough, and what “authority” actually means in the AI era. If you’re a business owner, operator, local service provider, agency owner, coach, contractor, doctor, or marketer trying to stay visible as AI takes over search, this is your roadmap. No gimmicks. No hype. Just a clear strategy to build AI authority, strengthen your reputation, and become the answer AI recommends.

What You’ll Learn / Highlights

→ Why AI Overviews can cut website clicks even if your rankings are strong

→ How AI decides which business is “the best” (authority, citations, reputation)

→ The new “SEO” signals: reviews, awards, testimonials, structured FAQs

→ Why you can’t “submit your site to AI” (and what to do instead)

→ What content AI actually pulls from (and what it ignores)

→ Which AI tools matter most for business owners (and what’s a time-waster)

→ How AI can increase leads when you become the recommended answer

→ The ethical risk: where automation helps vs. where it hurts trust

→ The real truth about being “behind” in AI, and what to do daily

→ Why this is an online land rush and how to move now

Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below.

Ai Authority Engine  https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine

YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong

Apple  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933

Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/

Disclaimer - 

This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

AI search is already changing how customers find (or don’t find) your business. Before someone clicks your website, AI systems like Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, ChatGPT, Perplexity, voice search, and more are filtering who gets recommended, and who gets ignored. If AI doesn’t see you as credible, authoritative, and trustworthy, you can be invisible even if you rank on page one. That’s why so many business owners are seeing a slowdown and blaming the economy… when the real issue is authority. In 2026, visibility isn’t just “SEO keywords and backlinks.” It’s your digital footprint, your citations across trusted sources, your expert-led content, your reviews with context, your structured answers, and your brand clarity across platforms.

This episode explains how AI search actually works, what signals AI looks for, and how to position your business, agency, practice, contractor service, nonprofit, or ministry as the recommended answer. If you want more inbound leads, more calls, and more trust, this is your roadmap for AI SEOand long-term authority.

What You’ll Learn / Highlights

→ Why traditional SEO alone won’t guarantee AI visibility in 2026

→ The #1 reason you’re losing leads: AI doesn’t trust your footprint yet

→ What AI is really reading: signals, citations, mentions, and authority

→ How Google AI Overviews vs AI Mode vs normal search can show different winners

→ The authority signals AI rewards: reviews with context, expert content, FAQs, structured data

→ A simple test you can run today: ask AI to explain who you are + who you serve

→ Why “more content” isn’t the fix, aligned authority is

Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below.

Ai Authority Engine  https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine

YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong

Apple  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933

Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/

Disclaimer - 

This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

What if you could grow sales without running ads, without chasing followers, and without “sleazy” marketing… just by using affiliate marketing, email marketing, and real relationships? In this episode of the E Forge Podcast, Cory Long sits down with Nicholas Rochelle, a top-performing affiliate for some of the biggest names in coaching and personal development, while living in rural West Virginia and competing against marketers with massive audiences. Nick shares how he stumbled into affiliate marketing through Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi, then built a reputation for high-integrity affiliate strategy, long-term partnerships, and warm-lead conversions that often outperform cold traffic.

If you’re an entrepreneur who wants a scalable growth channel, this conversation breaks down how referral programs, affiliate programs, and an ascension model can create predictable revenue with low risk. You’ll also hear Nick’s “4F Protocol” (Faith, Family, Fitness, Freedom), how he built real businesses (including a pest control company), and how to build influence and wealth while staying aligned with your values. If you’re building a course, community, product, or service, this is your blueprint for affiliate partnerships done right.

What You’ll Learn / Highlights

→ What affiliate marketing really is (simple referral model explained)

→ How to start as an affiliate with a small audience (social + email)

→ Why warm traffic converts better than cold ads

→ The “pay for performance” advantage of affiliate programs

→ How to build an affiliate program inside platforms like ClickFunnels / HighLevel

→ Affiliate assets explained: email swipes, social swipes, creatives, tracking links

→ The ascension model: how creators can give more commission upfront

→ How Nick became a top affiliate and got proximity to mentors

→ The 4F Protocol: Faith, Family, Fitness, Freedom for entrepreneurs

→ How to choose partnerships with integrity (and when to walk away)

Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below.

Facebook

Magnify Your Wealth

Disclaimer - 

This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

If you’re an entrepreneur feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or burned out—especially during the holidays—this episode is for you. We unpack entrepreneur mental health, the “mind monsters” that sabotage leaders, and how to build time + financial freedom without losing what matters most.

What You’ll Learn / Highlights (3–7 bullets)

→ Why the “joy + peace” season can feel like the least joyful time of the year

→ The Mind Monsters entrepreneurs fight (stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD patterns)

→ A powerful reframe: expectations vs. reality, and how to reset fast

→ How to pursue growth without sacrificing marriage, family, faith, or health

→ The difference between advice, coaching, and equity partnership (and when each fits)

How to build an infectious company culture people are proud to work in

→ Why hitting revenue milestones doesn’t magically fix your problems (it just adds zeros)

Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below.

Facebook

Magnify Your Wealth

Disclaimer - 

This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

Thinking about hosting a live event but worried it will drain your time, team, and bank account? In this episode, we break down event planning for entrepreneurs so you can run high-impact, profitable events without burning out. If you’re a founder, coach, or business owner who wants deeper community and more sales, this is for you.

In this conversation with elite event producer Meredith, you’ll discover:

→ How live events create trust, community, and momentum that digital content can’t match

→ The psychology of an event: from first email to final goodbye, and how to design how people feel

→ Why speakers and founders should never be worrying about logistics on event day

→ Smart ways to plan an event on a realistic budget (and what people REALLY overspend on)

→ Creative strategies for booking speakers, from trades to book buys to relationship capital

→ How to protect your energy, your team, and your family while still hosting powerful events

→ Why bringing your teens and young adults to business events can completely change their future

Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below.

Facebook

Magnify Your Wealth

Disclaimer - 

This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

Want to start a home church but feel unqualified or underfunded?

In this episode, you’ll learn how to start a home church without a seminary degree and how God can provide as you step out in faith.

Perfect for faith-driven entrepreneurs, pastors, and leaders who know church should be more than programs and pews.

What You’ll Learn / Highlights

→ How Matt Dabbs walked away from traditional ministry to launch a simple backyard home church

→ What “God math” looked like as God provided financially during the transition

→ Practical steps for starting a home church in your living room, backyard, or neighborhood park

→ Why bivocational ministry and entrepreneurship are key to future church planting

→ Simple, reproducible discipleship tools for everyday believers (no seminary required)

→ How to price your time and ministry offers without guilt, scarcity, or burnout

→ The mindset shift from “church is a building” to “church is people on mission where they live and work”

Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below.

Facebook

Magnify Your Wealth

Disclaimer - 

This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.

Feeling like your business is running your life instead of the other way around?In this episode, Christian business coach Ray Young shares how to do business God’s way using his Success GPS coaching framework so you can lead with clarity instead of constant overwhelm.If you’re a Christian entrepreneur who’s tired of feeling stuck, scattered, or lonely at the top, this conversation is for you.What You’ll Learn / HighlightsHow to move from an overwhelmed operator to an empowered, kingdom-minded leaderWhy your faith and your business were never meant to be separate—and what happens when you fully integrate themThe Success GPS framework: vision, values, goals, priorities, strategy, and execution (and how to actually use it)The story behind buying a church camp and turning it into a launchpad for the next generation and for business leadersHow Ray helped scale a car wash company from 8 to 57 locations and what that taught him about growth that doesn’t destroy your lifeThe truth about “boring businesses” and passive income (and why many owners are busy but broke)Why “it’s lonely at the top” is a lie—and how collaboration and community can change everythingHow to build a business that doesn’t cost you your marriage, family, or soulChapters (Timestamps)00:00 Intro – Welcome back to the E Forge Podcast01:07 Meet Ray Young – Ministry, business, and “who gets to do this?”05:46 Buying a church camp & turning retreats into a launchpad07:32 Coaching owners, marketing, and scaling from 8 to 57 car washes11:17 Jack of all trades, calling, and doing business God’s way13:47 Bringing faith into business without “hiding it”17:05 Sowing seed on purpose: discipleship through business18:32 Is it really lonely at the top? Community for business owners23:47 Inside the Success GPS framework: vision, values & priorities31:23 Big revenue, no profit: why some “successful” businesses are broke34:52 Winning at business without losing your family40:05 Failure, starting over, and the power of small consistent habits42:38 Where to find Ray Young & Success GPS Coaching43:19 Closing – From overwhelmed operators to empowered leaders

AI search and AI overviews are quietly stealing your traffic, leads, and authority — even if you’ve done “all the right” SEO.In this episode, I break down three powerful takeaways every serious business owner needs to hear to stay visible in the AI search era.

If you’re a doctor, local business owner, agency, or Christian entrepreneur who’s seeing traffic drop and has no idea why… this is for you.2. What You’ll Learn / HighlightsIn this episode of The Forge Podcast, you’ll discover:Why AI search and Google AI Overviews are terminating up to 60%+ of clicks before they ever reach your websiteThe brutal reason “good SEO” no longer guarantees you’ll show up in AI overviews or ChatGPTHow to quickly check if your brand is even in the AI conversation (and what to do if you’re invisible)The difference between ranking for a few days vs. building durable AI search visibility that actually lastsWhy one focused offer or “one thing” (your burger/chicken strips) will scale you faster than 10 scattered ideasHow Christian entrepreneurs inside E Forge quoted and invoiced over $400,000 in 2 hours using clarity + high-leverage environmentsWhy you don’t need another course or idea — you need aligned execution on what you already know3. Chapters (Timestamps)00:00 – Intro: 3 takeaways every serious business owner needs00:22 – How AI search & AI overviews are killing traditional SEO traffic01:04 – Real doctor example: ranking on Google but invisible in AI02:20 – “Are you even in the conversation?” (the AI termination problem)05:09 – Takeaway #1: Why SEO ≠ AI search anymore07:19 – Takeaway #2: Ranking fast vs. staying visible long-term in AI10:23 – Takeaway #3: The “one thing” offer (In-N-Out, Raising Cane’s, and you)13:28 – Inside E Forge: $400k quoted in 2 hours & what made it possible15:23 – You don’t need more info, you need aligned execution17:11 – Legacy, impact, and your next step as a leader

Feeling stuck between your calling and your cash flow? You're not alone, and this week, host Cory Long shares how a real estate bootcamp turned into a deep dive into Kingdom business. Surrounded by dealmakers, lenders, and entrepreneurs at the RV There Yet Challenge with Pace Morby’s team in Arizona, Cory didn’t just learn about underwriting RV parks, he encountered God in the details.

In this raw, behind-the-scenes episode, Cory unpacks 5 powerful leadership lessons that every Christian entrepreneur needs right now. From stewarding your finances with integrity to boldly asking for what God has placed on your heart, these aren’t just tips, they’re spiritual strategies for business growth. And it’s not theory. These takeaways are forged in the fire of real-world experience and grounded in Kingdom truth.

What you’ll walk away with:

Why real networking is Kingdom influence, not just contacts

How to underwrite your life and business with truth, not hype

The spiritual power of financial margin and mental peace

How bold, clear asking unlocks supernatural provision

Why a focused "Buy Box" helps you say yes to God’s best

"God blesses stewardship, not speculation." – Cory Long

This isn’t just another real estate podcast, it’s a call to action for faith-driven leaders. Subscribe now, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who’s ready to multiply impact, not just income. And don’t forget to join our free E Forge Facebook community, where overwhelmed operators become empowered leaders.

Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below.

Facebook

Magnify Your Wealth

Disclaimer - 

This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.