Are you trapped in the daily grind of your own business, running everything yourself, and wondering why “freedom” feels so far away? You’re not alone, and today’s episode will show you exactly how to break free.

In this game-changing conversation, host Cory Long sits down with fractional COO and systems expert Jess Cotter to unpack the exact process of shifting from being the operator, the one doing all the things, to becoming the owner, the visionary who drives growth, leads from the front, and actually has the time to enjoy life.

Jess has built, scaled, and exited businesses in two countries, and she knows firsthand the dangers of a company that can’t run without you. She shares the biggest mistakes owners make when trying to step away, how to create systems that allow your team to thrive without constant oversight, and the mindset shifts that make the difference between burnout and sustainable success.

You’ll discover:

→ Why most entrepreneurs only achieve one type of freedom, and how to get both time and money freedom

→ The power of auditing your role to uncover what to systemize first

→ How to delegate effectively without sacrificing quality

→ The leadership mindset that turns chaos into a scalable company

→ Why your “deeper why” matters more than any revenue milestone

“If you’ve made one sale, you can make a second. If you’ve systemized one thing, you can systemize another. The hardest step is always the first.” – Jess Cotter

If you’re ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business and start building something that runs without you, hit subscribe, share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur, and then take 10 minutes today to map out your first step from operator to owner.

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.

Most entrepreneurs play defense with their taxes, waiting until the year ends, then scrambling to see what can be written off. But what if you could play offense instead? In this explosive follow-up to Part 1, Cory Long returns with tax strategist and fractional CFO Ron Fossum to reveal how the top 1% are leveraging the 877-page Trump tax law overhaul, and what you’re probably missing.

If you missed Part 1, hit pause and go listen first. This isn’t just about saving money, it’s about stewarding resources for your Kingdom mission, growing your business, and protecting your legacy. Ron unpacks little-known tax strategies that most entrepreneurs and even CPAs overlook, from new rules for homeowners, builders, and farm owners, to surprising shifts in depreciation, estate planning, and the child tax credit.

This episode dives deep into what it means to build a proactive tax strategy. One that starts in January, not December. One that turns red flags into green lights. And one that equips you to take ground instead of give it away.

You'll discover:

→ Why the “Trump Accounts” may change everything for families by 2027

→ How builders and farmers are being hit differently, and what they can do now

→ What changed with mortgage insurance and how it impacts your home deductions

→ The truth about trusts: why a living trust won’t save you on taxes

→ How to avoid rookie tax mistakes, even if you already have a CPA

 "Most bookkeepers, accountants, and CPAs want to put numbers in boxes, taxes are as complex as ever." – Ron Fossum

If this episode opened your eyes, don’t keep it to yourself. Subscribe to The E Forge Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a Kingdom-minded entrepreneur. Then, head to TaxPlanWealth.com to grab Ron’s 3 powerful freebies:

→ 12 Questions to Ask Your Tax Team

→ 5 Criteria for a Legit Tax Deduction

→ Who’s Who on Your Tax Team

Be proactive. Build your tax strategy. And keep forging the legacy God called you to lead.

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.

In this episode of The E Forge Podcast, host Cory Long sits down with ad strategist Lance Greenberg to expose why most coaches, consultants, and small business owners are wasting money on Facebook ads; and what to do instead. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just feeding Zuckerberg cash with nothing to show for it, this is the reset you need. Lance shares how AI has completely changed ad targeting, why messaging matters more than ever, and the #1 strategy to improve lead quality and conversion rates fast. Whether you’re scaling or stuck, this is a masterclass in modern marketing.

Key Takeaways:

→ Your message trains the AI. Poor hooks = poor targeting = poor leads.

→ Lead quality matters more than lead flow. Most aren’t even measuring it.

→ Sales teams form bias fast. Untrained teams can kill great leads.

→ Don’t rely on funnels. Focus on your customer, market, and clarity.

→ Use TTO strategy. Telepathy Targeting Optimization = smarter ads, higher ROI.

"Your ads aren’t broken; they’re doing exactly what you told them to do."

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.

The way people search is no longer the same; and most entrepreneurs are still operating like it is. In this power-packed episode of the E Forge Podcast, Cory Long unpacks the urgent truth every business owner needs to hear: if you’re not showing up in AI-powered search results, you’re already invisible. Whether it’s ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overview, Claude, or Perplexity, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the gatekeeper between you and your next client. But the good news? You can take control now; and dominate while others are still playing catch-up.

Cory walks through four practical, high-leverage moves to help you establish authority and get discovered in the new search economy. From building your digital presence with structured content to understanding how AI pulls trusted sources, this episode gives you the blueprint for becoming the obvious choice in your market. Whether you’re a coach, contractor, tax planner, or nonprofit leader, the tools shared here can help you build a digital legacy that multiplies your impact. If you want to stay relevant; and show up when it matters most; this is your starting point.

Key Takeaways:

→ AI Search Has Replaced Traditional SEO – Visibility now depends on authority, clarity, and trust signals, not just keywords.

→ You Must Audit Your AI Identity – Ask AI who you are and see if your content even shows up.

→ Claim Your Digital Real Estate – Set up knowledge panels, About.me pages, LinkedIn articles, and more.

→ Answer Real Questions – Create helpful content around what your market is actually asking.

→ Build Now or Play Catch-Up Later – Early adopters will own visibility while others fade out.

"If you’re not showing up in AI search, you don’t exist in the new search economy; and that’s not fear, that’s fact."

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.

In this episode of The E-Forge Podcast, host Cory Long sits down with renowned tax strategist and fractional CFO Ron Fossum to break down the new Trump Tax Bill, a nearly 900-page game-changer every Kingdom entrepreneur needs to understand. Whether you’re just getting started or running a multi-seven figure business, the changes packed into this new bill will likely impact you, and you won’t hear these insights anywhere else.

Ron and Cory pull back the curtain on qualified business income deductions (QBI), updates to Section 179 and bonus depreciation, and the redefinition of research and experimentation (R&E), with surprising applications from bourbon distillers to gluten-free bakeries. They cover hidden landmines in tip and overtime deductions, and the clever design behind the Trump Account, a new tax-advantaged savings plan for kids that could potentially create generational wealth.
If you’re still relying on a basic CPA or tax preparer, you’re probably leaving tens, or hundreds, of thousands of dollars on the table. Ron breaks down why tax strategy is not just compliance, it’s leverage.

Key Takeaway Points:

→ The difference between tax planners vs. tax preparers

→ Entity structure analysis: Are you even in the right one?

→ Major updates to 1099 thresholds, senior deductions, and C Corp stock sales

→ Why “permanent” in the tax code doesn’t actually mean forever

→ Real-world strategies for businesses earning $100K to $10M+

Want to know if you’re leaving money on the table? Visit taxplanwealth.com, click “Contact Us,” and mention E-Forge to get $500 off your analysis. Don’t wait for tax season, get strategic now.

“Permanent in the tax code doesn’t mean forever; it means until the next administration changes it.”

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.

In this episode, we hear the real-life story of Cory Long, starting over from scratch at age 40; with no plan, no money, and no backup. After years in ministry, serving faithfully without a paycheck, he found himself needing to borrow money just to move his family. With a chronically ill spouse, a daughter heading to college, and no business background, he launched his first company from nothing.

What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. In under a decade, that leap of faith grew into multiple businesses, eight figures in sales, and the ability to give generously, travel freely, and remain rooted in family and faith. This journey laid the foundation for E-Forge, a Christ-centered business community designed to equip entrepreneurs with the systems, skills, and soul-alignment to scale with integrity. If you've ever felt behind, stuck, or called to more; this episode will light a fire under your vision and remind you that it's never too late to start building what matters.

Key Takeaways:

→ You’re not too late. Starting at 40 can become your greatest setup.

→ Faith-based business doesn’t mean compromising impact or income.

→ Building with integrity lets you love your family while scaling.

→ Your past ministry seasons can prepare you for marketplace mission.

→ E-Forge is a place to grow in business, faith, and legacy; together.

“At 40, I had to borrow money just to move… and now I’m doing in a month what I used to make in a year doing ministry.”

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.

E-forge with Cory Long is for faith-driven entrepreneurs who know they’re called to more; but feel stuck in the daily grind. This show is about helping you rise; from overwhelmed operator to empowered leader. Cory brings real strategies on business structure, systems, marketing, AI, and mindset to help you build a business that gives you back your time, multiplies your impact, and aligns with your purpose. If you’re ready to unlock freedom, lead with excellence, and use your business to serve others at the highest level, this podcast is your next step.

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.