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.