The Learning Annex
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Education |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Bill Zanker |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Key people | Bill Zanker (founder) |
| Products | Educational courses in business strategy, manufacturing, real estate investment, vocal training, book proposal crafting |
Number of employees | 114 (2007) |
The Learning Annex is a U.S.-based educational enterprise headquartered in New York City. Established in 1980 by Bill Zanker with an initial capital of $5,000, the organization provides a diverse selection of courses covering areas such as business strategy, manufacturing processes, real estate investment, as well as specialized subjects including professional vocal training and crafting book proposals.
The firm achieved notable recognition within popular culture through references on programs like Sex and the City and various other media outlets.
Following a bankruptcy filing in 1991 and the subsequent sale of the business, Zanker reacquired The Learning Annex in 2002. In 2006, the company introduced the "Real Estate Wealth Expo" series, which featured prominent personalities including George Foreman, Donald Trump, televangelist Paula White, and motivational coach Tony Robbins. Reports indicated that Trump received $1.5 million for 17 presentations between 2006 and 2007; however, he later disclosed his actual earnings were $400,000.
By 2007, The Learning Annex was positioned at No. 346 on the Inc. 5000 ranking of fastest-expanding private firms, demonstrating a three-year growth rate of 794.1%, generating $102 million in revenue, and employing 114 staff members. That same year marked the end of its operations in Toronto, Canada.