Legacy Education Alliance, Inc. - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

Commission file number: 000-55790

LEGACY EDUCATION ALLIANCE, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

1612 Cape Coral Parkway East, Cape Coral, Florida 33904

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (239) 542-0643

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of June 30, 2019, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $1,718,713 based on the closing sale price of the registrant’s common stock as traded on the NASDQ Over the Counter Electronic Bulletin Board on such date of $0.18 per share. As of March 30, 2020, there were 23,162,502 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:  

Portions of Legacy Education Alliance, Inc.’s proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III.

Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K for

Year Ended December 31, 2019

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements and information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the headings “Business,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and elsewhere contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in our periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often characterized by the use of words such as “outlook, “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “may,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “foresees,” “future,” or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions; including, but not limited to, our discussions regarding the results projected from the introduction of new brands, products and services, expansion into new geographic markets, combinations with third parties; the development of ecommerce capabilities; projections of international growth; projected increase in profitability from our forum-style course delivery model that should lead to increased margins; our ability to address or manage corruption concerns in certain locations in which we operate; our ability to address and manage cyber-security risks; our ability to protect our intellectual property, on which our business is substantially dependent; our expectations regarding future divided payments; our ability to manage our relationships with credit card processors, and our expectations regarding the impact of general economic conditions on our business; and the estimates and matters described under the caption “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis-Results of Operations-Outlook.” Our assumptions used for the purposes of the forward-looking statements represent estimates of future events and are subject to uncertainty as to possible changes in economic, legislative, industry, and other circumstances, including the development, acceptance and sales of our products and our ability to raise additional funding sufficient to implement our strategy. Such forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or our achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from historical results, any future results, or performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this report. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed as forward-looking statements are set forth in this report, including but not limited to those under the heading “Risk Factors,” and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There may be other factors of which we are currently unaware or that we deem immaterial that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express in our forward-looking statements. Although we believe the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and, therefore, also the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could themselves prove to be inaccurate.

Forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them publicly in light of new information or future events.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Our Corporate History and Background

Legacy Education Alliance, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on November 23, 2010 in Nevada under the name Streamline Resources, Inc. Our name was subsequently changed to Priced In Corp (“PRCD”) on April 24, 2012. Prior to the merger discussed below, we were a shell corporation with nominal operating activity. 

On November 10, 2014, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of such date the (“Merger Agreement”) by and among (i) PRCD, a Nevada corporation, (ii) Priced In Corp. Subsidiary, a Colorado corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of PRCD (“PRCD Sub”), (iii) Tigrent Inc., a Colorado corporation (“TIGE”), and (iv) Legacy Education Alliance Holdings, Inc., a Colorado corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of TIGE (“Legacy Holdings”). On November 10, 2014, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, PRCD Sub merged with and into Legacy Holdings (the “Merger”), with Legacy Holdings surviving the Merger and becoming our wholly owned subsidiary and we acquired the business of Legacy Holdings.

At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”):

As a result of the Merger, TIGE owned approximately 80% of Legacy with the then remaining outstanding shares (3,997,500) held by the existing PRCD shareholders.

There was no cash consideration exchanged in the Merger. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, PRCD agreed to pay TIGE taxes and related liabilities and other specified costs and expenses, including certain administrative and related expenses that have been or will be from time to time incurred by TIGE that are related to TIGE’s investment in PRCD (including the cost of preparing and distributing reports regarding our business and financial condition to its shareholders), its administrative costs and expenses, and taxes, other than income taxes arising from dividends or distributions by us to TIGE. All shares of PRCD common stock issued in connection with the Merger are restricted securities, as defined in paragraph (a) of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such shares were issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated there under.

The Merger was accounted for as a “reverse merger” and recapitalization since, immediately following the completion of the transaction, the holders of TIGE’s stock had effective control of PRCD. In addition, TIGE controlled the surviving entity through control of Legacy’s Board of Directors as a result of the appointment of the existing directors of TIGE to the four board seats of Legacy. Additionally, all of TIGE’s officers and senior executive positions continued on as management of the surviving entity after consummation of the Merger. For accounting purposes, Legacy Holdings was deemed to be the accounting acquirer in the transaction and, consequently, the transaction was treated as a recapitalization of PRCD. Accordingly, Legacy Holdings’ assets, liabilities and results of operations became the historical financial statements of the registrant, and the Company’s assets, liabilities and results of operations were consolidated with PRCD effective as of the date of the closing of the Merger. Prior to the Merger, PRCD was a “shell” corporation with nominal assets, liabilities and operating activity. No step-up in basis or intangible assets or goodwill was recorded in this transaction.

On February 14, 2017, TIGE completed the distribution of 15,998,326 shares of Common Stock in Legacy approved by the Board of Directors of TIGE on October 4, 2016. Pursuant to the distribution, 1.00105 shares of Legacy Common Stock were distributed for each share of stock held in TIGE. 

For a further discussion of the Merger and its effects on our business, please see the information contained in our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 10, 2014 and the related amendments thereto.

We voluntarily filed a Form 10 Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 12, 2017, and Amendment No 1 to Form 10 on June 27, 2017, to register our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On July 11, 2017, we announced that the filed Form 10 Registration Statement was effective on that day. A copy of the Form 10 Registration Statement is available on the Company’s website at (http://ir.legacyeducationalliance.com/all-sec-filings).

Presentation of Financial Statements

The terms “Legacy Education Alliance, Inc.,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or “Legacy” as used in this report refer collectively to Legacy Education Alliance, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Legacy”), the registrant, which was formerly known as Priced In Corp., and, unless the context otherwise requires, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Legacy Education Alliance Holdings, Inc., a Colorado corporation, other operating subsidiaries and any predecessor of Legacy Education Alliance Holdings, including Tigrent Inc., a Colorado corporation.

This Form 10-K includes financial statements and related notes that present the consolidated financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows of Legacy and its subsidiaries.

Our Strategy

Our objective is to be the leading provider of services and products that enable individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their current economic situation and educational background, to take control of their financial futures and enable them to achieve financial freedom.

Our strategy is focused primarily on the following areas:

Recent Developments

On September 16, 2019, we received notice from Rich Dad Operating Company, LLC (“RDOC”), indicating that RDOC did not intend to extend the term of the September 1, 2013, Rich Dad Operating License Agreement (as amended, the “License Agreement”) by and between the Company and RDOC. The term of the License Agreement expired on September 30, 2019. Notwithstanding the expiration of the License Agreement, the Company may continue to use Licensed Intellectual Property, as defined in the License Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Rich Dad trademark and stylized logo, for the purpose of honoring and fulfilling orders by its customers in existence as of the date of the expiration of the Agreement.

On October 21, 2019, we launched our new proprietary line of coaching products to support our students through every phase of their journey with us, from beginner to experienced investor. It also represents a milestone in our going forward strategy of diversifying our sources of cash sales through the introduction of new brands and product lines. We offer coaching and mentoring services at a variety of price points that includes content ranging from mindset and motivation, continuing through coaching from subject matter experts in real estate investing techniques and strategies, and culminating in a personalized one-on-one onsite mentorship with one of the Company’s experienced mentors.

The Company will continue to attempt to reduce its operating expenses and increase the revenues derived from its other brands. However, the termination of the License Agreement will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. At end of the third quarter of 2019, we launched our core brand, Legacy Education, to continue providing our students with practical, high-quality, and value-based educational training on the topics of personal finance, entrepreneurship, real estate, financial markets, investing strategies and techniques.

On October 28, 2019, four creditors of Legacy Education Alliance International Ltd. (“Legacy UK”), one of our UK subsidiaries, obtained an order from the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales (the “English Court”) with respect to the business and affairs of Legacy UK. Pursuant to the Administration Order of November 15, 2019, from the English Court, the two individuals appointed as administrators engaged a third-party to market Legacy UK’s business and assets for sale to one or more third parties. On November 26, 2019, Legacy UK’s assets and deferred revenues sold for £300 thousand (British pounds) to Mayflower Alliance LTD. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Legacy UK. Further details, including the resolution of claims and liabilities, and other information regarding the administration may not be forthcoming for several months. We are considering our alternatives for future operations in the United Kingdom and is continuing to conduct business outside the United States through its other foreign subsidiaries in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and South Africa. The impact of this transaction is reflected as a discontinued operation in the consolidated financial statements.

On December 23, 2019, we entered into an agreement with T&B Seminars Inc. (T&B) to develop and operate a seminar style education business (subsequently branded Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa) that will use, among other things, the names, images, and likenesses of Tarek El Moussa to market and sell customers real estate investing oriented education products. T&B granted to the Company a sole and exclusive worldwide license to certain intellectual property, including, certain trademarks and copyrights and the name, image and likeness of Tarek El Moussa, in each case to the extent necessary for us to develop and create educational materials and promote and conduct a branded real estate seminar style education business. This is our first step in introducing new brands moving forward to diversify cash sales in our real estate education programs.

On February 20, 2020, Anthony C. Humpage notified the Board of Directors of Legacy Education Alliance, Inc. (the “Company”) of his resignation as a director of our Company and all Company subsidiaries, effective as of March 31, 2020. Mr. Humpage’s resignation was not the result of any dispute or disagreement with our Board of Directors or management on any matter relating to our operations, policies or practices.

Historically, our operations have relied heavily on our and our students’ ability to travel and attend live events where large groups of people gather in local markets within each of the segments in which we operate. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic. As a result of worldwide restrictions on travel and social distancing, in March 202​0 we have ceased conducting live sales and fulfillment events for an undetermined period of time, which we expect will have a materially adverse impact on results of our operations.

Business Overview

We are a provider of practical, high-quality, and value-based educational training on the topics of personal finance, entrepreneurship, real estate, and financial markets investing strategies and techniques. Our programs are offered through a variety of formats and channels, including free workshops, basic trainings, forums, telephone mentoring, one-on-one mentoring, coaching and e-learning. We market our products and services under two brands: Legacy Education^TM; and Homemade Investor in conjunction with HGTV’s star Tarek El Moussa. In October 2019, we launched our new proprietary line of coaching products to support our students through every phase of their journey with us, from beginner to experienced investor. Our products and services are offered in North America, UK and Other Foreign Markets. In December 2019, we held our first virtual (online) symposium and our first Legacy Investor Forum and entered into the Development Agreement with T&B Seminars, Inc. for the development of the Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa brand. In December 2019, we held our first virtual (online) symposium and our first Legacy Investor Forum, and entered into the Development Agreement with T&B Seminars, Inc. for the development of the Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa brand.

Our students pay for their courses in full up-front or through payment agreements with independent third parties. Under United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), we recognize revenue upon the earlier of (i) when our students take their courses or (ii) the term for taking their course expires, both of which could be several quarters after the student purchases a program and pays the fee. We recognize revenue immediately when we sell our (i) proprietary products delivered at time of sale and (ii) third party products sales. Our symposiums and forums combine multiple advanced training courses in one location, allowing us to achieve certain economies of scale that reduce costs and improve margins while also accelerating U.S. GAAP revenue recognition, while at the same time, enhancing our students’ experience, particularly, for example, through the opportunity to network with other students.

We also provide a richer experience for our students through one-on-one mentoring (two to four days in length, on site or remotely) and telephone mentoring (10 to 16 weekly one-on-one or one-on-many telephone sessions). Mentoring involves a subject matter expert interacting with the student remotely or in person and guiding the student, for example, through his or her first real estate transaction, providing a real hands-on experience.

Our operations are managed through three operating segments: (i) North America, (ii) United Kingdom, and (iii) Other Foreign Markets.

The proportion of our total revenue attributable to each segment is as follows:

Operating results for the segments are as follows:

See the caption Revenue, in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” for further information. 

As of December 31, 2019, we operate under two brands:

Marketing

Our various brands are the foundation for our marketing efforts. These brands provide credibility and sustainability within our media mix to promote live events and online trainings. Live onsite two-hour free preview workshops are offered weekly in multiple markets in North America. Marketing these events is primarily done online through social media posts, internet banner ads, text ads, and emails. Direct mail, radio, television, public relations, and print advertising may also be used to obtain event registrations. We enter into marketing and other agreements with third parties to advertise our products and services.

We offer people the opportunity to attend a free preview workshop or advance directly to one of our three-day basic training classes. People who enroll and attend the basic training class receive reference materials relevant to the subject matter to be taught at the class. The basic training course is usually held over a weekend within two to four weeks of the initial free preview workshop. Our experience is that offering the free preview workshop as a first step is an effective way to introduce to our students the methodology of investing, as well as to market and sell our three-day basic training courses.

Marketing efforts continue to those customers who choose to continue their education with a three-day basic training class. Welcome letters, product kits that include manuals, books and audio files, an online reference library, and reminder communication letters and emails are all branded for consistency and credibility. Customers at the three-day basic training may choose to continue on with their education through our elite training classes and mentorships offered during the basic training classes.

We utilize different preview brands to market into our advance training division, which we re-branded to Elite Legacy Education to expand our market reach. Elite training classes are fulfilled through various delivery methods to meet the needs of our customers.

We also market for new customers who prefer to learn online and provide people the opportunity to attend free ninety-minute live online webinars that are held weekly on six different topics. Webinars are marketed via online banner ads, affiliate marketing, email campaigns, social media and other media methods.

Training Programs

We have three significant categories for our programs:

Basic Training Courses

Elite Training Courses

Customers who attend our basic training courses may choose to continue with Elite training courses in real estate, financial markets investing and/or entrepreneurship skills. The Elite training courses of study include:

The goal of our fulfillment strategy is to provide maximum flexibility to the students to allow them take any of their classes in whatever format, and in any combination of formats, that works best for them. Students may access training content through multiple delivery channels, including:

Through strategic partners, customers can purchase a license to use supporting software for real estate or financial markets investing. With either software program, a subscription-based data service is available for purchase which allows customers to interactively determine investment options and make better informed decisions about potential investments.

Individualized Mentoring and Coaching Programs

We offer live, real time, one-on-one mentoring for Real Estate, Business and the Financial Markets that are tailored to meet students’ individual goals and needs. Real Estate mentoring is offered on site at the student’s chosen location, while Financial Market mentoring can be provided either on-site or remotely. Mentoring is intended to give the student a professional assessment of his or her individual goals and experience and to help the student build an investment plan that can be put into action. Mentoring sessions are generally 2 to 4 days in length.

Coaching and telephone mentoring programs are typically sold in a number of different subject areas and generally delivered in 10 to 16 weekly one-on-one telephone sessions. Some of the topics include Real Estate Coaching, Financial Markets Coaching and Business Coaching. A set curriculum approach is generally used. Each module comes with assignments, exercises and reading materials to be completed between sessions.

Geographic Diversification

We manage our business in three segments based on geographic location for which operating managers are responsible to the Chief Executive Officer. These segments include: (i) North America, (ii) United Kingdom, and (iii) Other Foreign Markets.

Competition

During our more than 20-year history, we have competed with several organizations within the U.S. and internationally. Our primary competitors are Fortune Builders, Armando Montelongo, and Mayflower Alliance Ltd. Some of these competitors have established brands through a media-based relationship, such as HGTV, and use television programs to promote their brands.

The main competitors to our financial markets strategies and techniques course offerings are large institutional brokerage houses, who have been offering education as a way to expand their client portfolio.

Generally, competitive factors within the proprietary training market include:

We believe that the range and depth of our course offerings, the quality of our trainers and reference materials are comparable or superior to those of our competitors. Typically, our trainers for our Elite courses have been active investors in their chosen field, have been trained by us and, to a large degree, are previous customers of our programs. Trainers for our Elite courses are chosen based on their knowledge and experience with the coursework covered and are further qualified by meeting knowledge standards developed internally.

Brand Development Agreement with the T&B Seminars, Inc.

Effective December 23, 2019, we entered into a Real Estate Education Training Program Development Agreement (the “Development Agreement”) with T&B Seminars, Inc. (“T&B”), an affiliate of Tarek El Moussa, pursuant to which Holdings and Tarek El Moussa agreed to develop and operate a seminar style education business that will use, among other things, the names, images, and likenesses of Tarek El Moussa to market and sell customers real estate investing oriented education products. Pursuant to the Development Agreement, T&B granted to the Company a sole and exclusive worldwide license to certain intellectual property, including, certain trademarks and copyrights and the name, image and likeness of Tarek El Moussa, in each case to the extent necessary for Holdings to develop and create educational materials and promote and conduct a branded real estate seminar style education business that uses the intellectual property.

As consideration for the licensed rights under the Development Agreement, Holdings agreed to pay T&B base royalty percentages on cash sales of products to persons responding to a branded marketing campaign that uses the licensed intellectual property. Also, as consideration for Tarek El Moussa providing certain marketing support, Holdings agreed to pay T&B marketing royalty percentages on cash sales of products at live events and at online webinars to persons responding to a branded marketing campaign that uses the licensed intellectual property. Furthermore, as consideration for the exclusivity of the rights under the Development Agreement, commencing on the seventh month of the term of the Development Agreement, Holdings agreed that the monthly royalties paid to T&B will not be less than an agreed to amount.

The Development Agreement has an initial term of five years and will automatically renew thereafter for successive five-year terms unless either party provides prior written notice of termination no less than 90 days prior to the end of such five-year term.

Licensing Agreements with the Rich Dad and Other Parties

Through September 2019, our primary business relied on our license of the Rich Dad brand and related marks and intellectual property. The following transactions summarize our license to use the Rich Dad trademarks, trade names and other business information worldwide (the “Rich Dad Intellectual Property Rights”).

Effective September 1, 2013, we entered into licensing and related agreements with Rich Dad Operating Company, LLC (“RDOC”) (collectively, the “2013 License Agreement”) that replaced the 2010 License Agreement. Compared to the 2010 License Agreement, the 2013 License Agreement broadened the field of use to include real estate investing, business strategies, stock market investment techniques, stock/paper assets, cash management, asset protection, entrepreneurship and other financially-oriented subjects. The 2013 License Agreement also (i) reduced the royalty rate payable to RDOC compared to the 2010 Rich Dad License Agreement; (ii) broadened the Company’s exclusivity rights to include education seminars delivered in any medium; (iii) eliminated the cash collateral requirements and related financial covenants contained in the 2010 License Agreement; (iv) continues our right to pay royalties via a promissory note that is convertible to preferred shares upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2013 License Agreement); (v) eliminated approximately $1.6 million in debt from our consolidated balance sheet as a result of debt forgiveness provided for in the agreement terminating the 2010 License Agreement; and (vi) converted another approximately $4.6 million in debt to 1,549,882 shares of our Common Stock. Either party may terminate the 2013 License Agreement upon certain circumstances, including and uncured breach by the non-terminating party.

On April 22, 2014, we entered into an agreement with RDOC (the “2014 Amendment”) to, among other things, amend the 2013 License Agreement to halve the royalty payable by us to RDOC to 2.5% for the whole of 2014, (ii) cancel approximately $1.3 million in debt owed by us to RDOC, (iii) reimburse us for certain legal expenses, and (iv) cancel RDOC’s right to appoint one member of our Board of Directors.

The 2013 License Agreement and the 2014 Amendment were assigned to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Legacy Education Alliance Holdings, Inc. on September 10, 2014.

On January 25, 2018, we entered into a Second Amendment with RDOC (the “Second Amendment”) that amends certain terms of the 2013 License Agreement and extends the term of the 2013 License Agreement to September 1, 2019. In addition, the Company and two of its officers, and RDOC and certain individuals affiliated with RDOC, entered into a Mutual Waiver and Release of Claims. (See the Form 8-K filed on January 29, 2018 for further discussion.)

On September 16, 2019, we received notice from Rich Dad Operating Company, LLC (“RDOC”), indicating that RDOC did not intend to extend the term of the September 1, 2013, Rich Dad Operating License Agreement (as amended, the “License Agreement”) by and between the Company and RDOC. The term of the License Agreement expired on September 30, 2019. Notwithstanding the expiration of the License Agreement, the Company may continue to use Licensed Intellectual Property, as defined in the License Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Rich Dad trademark and stylized logo, for the purpose of honoring and fulfilling orders by its customers in existence as of the date of the expiration of the Agreement.

Effective November 26, 2019, our licenses to operate under the Perform in Properties, Making Money with Martin Roberts^™ and Robbie Fowler’s Property Academy^™ were transferred to Mayflower Alliance Ltd in conjunction with the sale of the business of Legacy UK.

Employees and Independent Contractors

As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately 120 full-time employees of whom 115, or 96% were located in our North America segment and the remaining 4% were located in South Africa and Hong Kong. In addition, we employ part-time employees in various capacities and independent contractors who are trainers, coaches or mentors. Our employees are not represented by a labor union, and we believe our relations with our employees are satisfactory. Our independent contractors are either paid commissions based upon the dollar value of the courses purchased by customers at our free preview workshops and basic training courses or are paid fixed fees for teaching and mentoring Elite courses. Independent contractors are required to execute agreements with us that set forth their commission structures and typically contain confidentiality and non-competition provisions.

Available Information

We electronically file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports. The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 . The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 . The SEC also maintains an internet site that contains reports and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Additionally, information about us, including our reports filed with the SEC, is available through our web site at http:// www.legacyeducationalliance.com. Such reports are accessible at no charge through our web site and are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated by reference into this report. 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to Our Business

We anticipate that our Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa^TM real estate and financial market course offerings will account for substantially all of our sales in 2020. The alteration or termination of our Brand Development Agreement with T&B Seminars Inc. would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations

The termination of our license agreement to Rich Dad Education brand has materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations, given the high concentration of sales from course offerings under Rich Dad Education brand.

Our Rich Dad® Education real estate and financial market course offerings accounted for approximately 84.6% of our total revenue in 2019. Our 2013 License Agreement with Rich Dad ®, as amended, expired on September 30, 2019. The termination of our 2013 License Agreement or termination of our relationship with the Rich Dad Parties has had a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If revenues from our Homemade Investor brand do not meet expectations, this could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We anticipate that our Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa^TM real estate and financial market course offerings will account for substantially all of our sales in 2020. If revenue from the Homemade Investor Brand fails to meet expectations and is not offset by revenue increases in our other brands or from other sources it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, a decrease in popularity or public acceptance of Tarek El Moussa or the Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa Brand would have a significant impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if Mr. Tarek El Moussa, does not spend as much time in the public eye, it could impact the popularity of the Homemade Investor Brand and consequently impact our sales of Homemade Investor products.

The termination of any of our merchant processor agreements and/or material changes to the terms and conditions of these agreements would materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations, given the high concentration of sales from course offerings procured by our customers using credit cards.

A significant percentage of our sales are processed through credit card transactions and we are dependent on our merchant processor relationships to facilitate these transactions under favorable terms. Although we generally have been able to renew or extend the terms of contractual arrangements with third parties merchant processors on acceptable terms, there can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so in the future. Interruptions in service, or the imposition of reserve accounts in amounts not acceptable to us, could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity. In addition, if any of these services providers were to stop providing services to us on acceptable terms, we may be unable to procure alternatives from other third parties in a timely and efficient manner and on acceptable terms, or at all. This could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our management has identified internal control deficiencies, which our management believe constitute material weaknesses.

Our management has determined that we presently do not have an internal control system or procedures that are effective and may be relied upon in connection with our financial reporting. The weaknesses in our internal control system that were identified by our management generally include weakness that present a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be identified, prevented or detected on a timely basis, and specifically include:

If we fail to effectively remediate any of these material weaknesses or other material weaknesses or deficiencies in our control environment that may be identified in the future, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or report them within the time frames required by law or exchange regulations, to the extent applicable, which would have a negative impact on us and our share price.

Our cash flows from operations decreased in 2019 versus our cash flows from operations in 2018. If this trend were to continue in the future, it could impair our ability to fund our working capital needs and adversely affect our financial condition.

Management currently projects that our available cash balances will not be sufficient to maintain our operations during 2020. In addition, when considering all of the applicable operational and external risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to cash generated from new and ongoing business initiatives, our ability to effectively execute our strategies, relationships with our credit card processors, and potential current and future litigation matters, we believe that we may not be adequately capitalized. We may seek to obtain additional capital through the issuance of equity or debt, which may dilute the equity holdings of our current investors. In addition, we may seek to borrow additional capital from institutional and commercial banks or other sources to fund future operations on terms that may include restrictive covenants, liens on assets, high effective interest rates, and repayment provisions that reduce our cash resources and limit future access to capital markets. We do not currently have any commitments for future external funding. Our ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by the economic environment. If we cannot generate the required cash to sustain operations or obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, we will need to make further revisions to our business plan, sell or liquidate assets, or limit our operations.

Our operations outside the United States subject us to additional risks inherent in international operations.

We currently operate in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, South Africa and other international markets in addition to our U.S. operations. As a result, we face risks that are inherent in international operations, including:

If we are unable to successfully manage these and other factors, our business could be adversely affected, and our financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

Failure to comply with laws, regulations and policies, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other applicable anti-corruption legislation, could result in fines, criminal penalties and an adverse effect on our business.

We are subject to regulation under a wide variety of U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. laws, regulations and policies, including anti-corruption laws and export-import compliance and trade laws, and data protection due to our global operations. In particular, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies, their agents, consultants and other business partners from making improper payments to government officials or other persons ( i.e., commercial bribery) for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or other improper advantage. They also impose recordkeeping and internal control provisions on companies such as ours. We operate and/or conduct business in some parts of the world, such as Hong Kong, that are recognized as having governmental and commercial corruption and in such countries, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. Under some circumstances, a parent company may be civilly and criminally liable for bribes paid by a subsidiary. We cannot assure you that our internal control policies and procedures have protected us, or will protect us, from unlawful conduct of our employees, agents, consultants and other business partners. In the event that we believe or have reason to believe that violations may have occurred, including without limitation violations of anti-corruption laws, we may be required to investigate and/or have outside counsel investigate the relevant facts and circumstances, which can be expensive and require significant time and attention from senior management. Violation may result in substantial civil and/or criminal fines, disgorgement of profits, sanctions and penalties, debarment from future work with governments, curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and imprisonment of the individuals involved. As a result, any such violations may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Any of these impacts could have a material, adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.   

Uncertain economic conditions and other changes experienced by our customers, including the willingness to trade or invest in securities or real estate, could influence their willingness to spend their discretionary income on our course offerings and products, and could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Uncertain economic conditions may affect our customers’ discretionary income, access to credit and ability and willingness to purchase our courses offerings and products. Economic conditions and consumer spending are influenced by a wide range of factors that are beyond our control. These conditions include but are not limited to:

Any decreased interest in real estate and/or financial markets investing strategies and techniques in the future could impact our brands. Additionally, a prolonged economic downturn or uncertainty over future economic conditions, could increase these effects on our business. In addition, our ongoing business expansion efforts and related operational changes add to the difficulty and risk of forecasting the timing, magnitude and direction of operational and financial outcomes with respect to our business.

We have only a limited ability to protect our intellectual property rights, which are important to our success.

Our financial success depends, in part, upon our ability to protect our brand names, curriculums, and other proprietary and licensed intellectual property. The existing laws of some countries in which we conduct business might offer only limited protection of our intellectual property rights. To protect our intellectual property, we rely upon a combination of confidentiality policies, nondisclosure, and other contractual arrangements, as well as copyright and trademark laws. The steps we take in this regard may not be adequate to prevent or deter infringement or other misappropriation of our intellectual property, and we might not be able to detect unauthorized use of, or take appropriate and timely steps to enforce, our intellectual property rights, especially in foreign jurisdictions. The loss of proprietary content or the unauthorized use of our intellectual property, including our brand names, may create significant market confusion and result in greater competition, loss of revenue, and adverse publicity.

We face significant competition in our markets.

Our success depends upon our ability to attract customers by providing high-quality courses and training materials, as well as to attract and retain quality trainers to provide those courses. The market for training courses for specific business issues, such as real estate or stock market investing, is intensely competitive. If we are unable to successfully compete, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially harmed. Certain competitors may have access to certain marketing channels or be able to secure alliances with customers and affiliates on more favorable terms, devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns and devote substantially more resources to course development than we can. In addition, it is possible that certain competitors, or potential competitors, could reduce their pricing to levels that would make it difficult for us to compete. Increased competition may result in reduced operating margins, as well as loss of market share and brand recognition. Our success is dependent on our ability to successfully attract customers to programs that they feel will enhance their knowledge and enhance their earning power. Their level of satisfaction with our course offerings affects our reputation as they tell others about their experience. Our business could suffer if we fail to deliver quality programs at acceptable price points.

In addition, in order to compete effectively in our markets, we may need to change our business in significant ways. For example, to respond to market competition we may change our pricing, product, or service offerings, make key decisions about technology changes or marketing strategies, or acquire additional businesses or technologies. Any of these actions could hurt our business, financial condition and results of operations. Competitors continually introduce new programs that may compete directly with our offerings that may make our offerings uncompetitive or obsolete. Larger competitors may have superior abilities to compete for customers and skilled professionals, reducing our ability to deliver our quality offerings to our customers.

Laws and regulations can affect the operation of our business and may limit our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions.

Federal, state, and international laws and regulations impact our operations and may limit our ability to obtain authorization to operate in some states or countries. Many federal, state, and international governmental agencies assert authority to regulate providers of investment training programs. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in legal action instituted by the jurisdictions, including cease and desist and injunctive actions. In the event we are subject to such legal action, our reputation could be harmed and the demand for our course offerings and products could be significantly reduced. We are involved from time to time in routine legal matters incidental to our business, including disputes with students and information requests from state regulatory agencies. Based upon available information, we believe that the resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. Future regulatory changes with respect to the various topics of our courses or the investment techniques we teach, could also impact the content of our course offerings, which in turn, could negatively impact future sales.

Cyber-attacks as well as improper disclosure or control of personal information could result in liability and harm our reputation, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We are dependent on information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information and to communicate among our locations around the world and with our customers. Security breaches of this infrastructure could lead to shutdowns or disruptions of our systems and potential unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. We are also required at times to manage, utilize and store sensitive or confidential customer or employee data. While we take measures to protect the security of, and unauthorized access to, our systems, as well as the privacy of personal and proprietary information, it is possible that our security controls over our systems, as well as other security practices we follow, may not prevent the improper access to or disclosure of personally identifiable or proprietary information. In addition, much of our financial, customer, and employee data resides on third party equipment not within our custody or control such that we cannot prevent the improper access to or disclosure of such data or might be prevented from accessing such data for our own purposes. Any such disclosures or inability to access our proprietary information could harm our reputation and subject us to liability under our contracts and laws that protect personal data, or negatively impact our ability to manage operations resulting in increased costs or loss of revenue. Further, data privacy is subject to frequently changing rules and regulations, which sometimes conflict among the various jurisdictions and countries in which we provide services.

The European Union’s (“EU”) General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) took effect in May 2018 and requires EU member states to meet new and more stringent requirements regarding the handling of personal data. Failure to meet the GDPR requirements could result in substantial penalties of up to the greater of €20 million or 4% of global annual revenue of the preceding financial year. Additionally, compliance with the GDPR has resulted in increased operational costs to implement new procedures corresponding to new legal rights granted under the law. Although the GDPR applies across the EU without a need for local implementing legislation, local data protection authorities still have the ability to interpret the GDPR through so-called opening clauses, which permit region-specific data protection legislation and have the potential to create inconsistencies on a country-by-country basis.

Our efforts to comply with GDPR and other privacy and data protection laws may impose significant costs and challenges that are likely to increase over time. Our failure to adhere to or successfully implement processes in response to changing regulatory requirements in this area could result in impairment to our reputation in the marketplace and we could incur substantial penalties or litigation related to violation of existing or future data privacy laws and regulations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are highly dependent on our senior management, high performing sales speakers and course trainers, and if we are not able to retain them or to recruit and retain additional qualified personnel, our business could suffer.

We are highly dependent upon our senior management. The loss of services of any of the members of our senior management or high performing sales speakers or course trainers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may increase our management personnel to obtain certain additional functional capability, including regulatory, sales, business development, e-commerce, and quality assurance and control, either by hiring additional personnel or by outsourcing these functions to qualified third-parties. We may not be able to engage these third-parties on terms favorable to us. Also, we may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel on acceptable terms given the competition for such personnel among companies that operate in our markets. If we fail to identify, attract, retain and motivate highly skilled personnel, or if we lose current employees or contractors, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We currently do not maintain key man insurance on any member of our senior executive management team.

Our ability to sell and fulfill courses may be affected by adverse weather, natural disaster, strikes or other unpredictable events.

Adverse weather, natural disasters, external labor disruptions, pandemics, and other adverse events may affect our ability to conduct our business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Public health risks, such as epidemics or pandemics, and severe weather or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, blizzards, floods and earthquakes, and other events beyond our control may reduce the ability or willingness of our students to travel to or otherwise attend our events. These events may also disrupt the printing and transportation of the materials used in our direct mail campaigns. Furthermore, postal strikes could occur in the countries where we operate which could delay and reduce delivery of our direct mail marketing materials. Transportation strikes could also occur in the countries where we operate, adversely affecting our ability to conduct business.

A relocation of any of our office locations could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If any of the leases for our leased offices are not renewed, or if any of our offices, whether owned or leased, are inadequate for our business operations, we may be compelled to relocate operations to new locations, which could result in disruption of the business, additional costs and expenses, and loss of key personnel, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

We may issue shares of preferred stock that subordinate your rights and dilute your equity interests.

We may need to raise investment capital for us to successfully execute our business strategy and it may be preferable or necessary to issue preferred stock to investors. Preferred stock may grant the holders certain preferential rights in voting, dividends, liquidation or other rights in preference over a company’s common stock.

The issuance by us of preferred stock could dilute both the equity interests and the earnings per share of existing holders of our Common Stock. Such dilution may be substantial, depending upon the number of shares issued. The newly authorized shares of preferred stock could also have voting rights superior to our Common Stock, and in such event, would have a dilutive effect on the voting power of our existing stockholders.

Any issuance of preferred stock with voting rights could, under certain circumstances, have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us by increasing the number of outstanding shares entitled to vote and by increasing the number of votes required to approve a change in control of us. Shares of voting or convertible preferred stock could be issued, or rights to purchase such shares could be issued, to render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise. Such issuances could therefore deprive our stockholders of benefits that could result from such an attempt, such as the realization of a premium over the market price that such an attempt could cause. Moreover, the issuance of such shares of preferred stock to persons friendly to our Board of Directors could make it more difficult to remove incumbent managers and directors from office even if such change were to be favorable to stockholders generally.

Our Common Stock has a limited trading market, which could affect your ability to sell shares of our Common Stock and the price you may receive for our Common Stock.

Our Common Stock is currently traded in the over-the-counter market and “bid” and “asked” quotations regularly appear on the OTCQB maintained by OTC Markets, Inc. under the symbol “LEAI”. There is limited trading volume in our securities. We cannot predict the extent to which investors’ interest in our Common Stock will provide an active and liquid trading market, which could depress the trading price of our Common Stock and could have a long-term adverse impact on our ability to raise capital in the future. We may be vulnerable to investors taking a “short position” in our Common Stock, which would likely have a depressing effect on the price of our Common Stock and add increased volatility to our trading market. The volatility of the market for our Common Stock could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. There cannot be any guarantee that an active trading market for our securities will develop or, if such a market does develop, will be sustained. Accordingly, investors must be able to bear the financial risk of losing their entire investment in our Common Stock. 

Being an SEC reporting company imposes costs and compliance risks.

Compliance with the periodic reporting requirements required by the SEC consumes a considerable amount of both internal, as well external, resources and represents a significant cost for us. Our management will be required to administer appropriate programs and policies in responding to increased legal, regulatory compliance, and reporting requirements, and any failure to do so could lead to the imposition of fines and penalties and harm our business.

In addition, if we are unable to continue to devote adequate funding and the resources needed to maintain such compliance, while continuing our operations, we may be in non-compliance with applicable SEC rules or the securities laws, and be delisted from the OTCQB or other market we may be listed on, which would result in a decrease in or absence of liquidity in our Common Stock, and potentially subject us and our officers and directors to civil, criminal and/or administrative proceedings and cause us to voluntarily file for deregistration of our Common Stock with the Commission.

Future sales of our Common Stock in the public market could lower the price of our Common Stock and impair our ability to raise funds in future securities offerings.

We may decide to raise additional capital through the sale of our securities. Future sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the then prevailing market price of our Common Stock and could make it more difficult for us to raise funds in the future through the sale of our securities.

In the event we raise capital through a private placement of our Common Stock and/or other securities convertible into shares of our Common Stock, such offering could dilute both the equity interests and the earnings per share of our stockholders. Such dilution may be substantial, depending upon the number of shares issued in any potential private placement.

The market price of our Common Stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control.

The market for our Common Stock is characterized by significant price volatility when compared to seasoned issuers, and we expect that our share price will continue to be more volatile than a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. The volatility in our share price is attributable to a number of factors. First, our shares of Common Stock are sporadically and thinly traded. As a consequence of this lack of liquidity, the trading of relatively small quantities of shares by our stockholders may disproportionately influence the price of those shares in either direction. The price for our shares could, for example, decline precipitously in the event that a large number of shares of our Common Stock are sold on the market without commensurate demand, as compared to a seasoned issuer which could better absorb those sales without adverse impact on its share price. Second, we are a speculative or “risky” investment due to our limited operating history, and uncertainty of future market acceptance for our potential products. As a consequence of this enhanced risk, more risk-averse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of their investment in the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more inclined to sell their shares on the market more quickly and at greater discounts than would be the case with the stock of a seasoned issuer. Many of these factors are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of our Common Stock, regardless of our operating performance. We cannot make any predictions or projections as to what the prevailing market price for our Common Stock will be at any time, including as to whether our Common Stock will sustain its current market price, or as to what effect the sale of shares or the availability of Common Stock for sale at any time will have on the prevailing market price.

The market price of our Common Stock is subject to significant fluctuations in response to, among other factors:

In addition, if the market for stock in our industry, or the stock market in general, experience a loss of investor confidence, the market price of our Common Stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition or results of operations. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause the price of our Common Stock to fall and may expose us to lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and distract our Board of Directors and management.

We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future, and you must rely on increases in the market prices of our Common Stock for returns on your investment.

For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock. Accordingly, investors must be prepared to rely on sales of their Common Stock after price appreciation to earn an investment return, which may never occur. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our Common Stock. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our Board of Directors deems relevant.

We are subject to penny stock regulations and restrictions and you may have difficulty selling shares of our Common Stock.

The Commission has adopted regulations which generally define so-called “penny stocks” as an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exemptions. Our Common Stock is a “penny stock”, and we are subject to Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act, or the Penny Stock Rule. This rule imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell such securities to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors” (generally, individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with their spouses). For transactions covered by Rule 15g-9, a broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale. As a result, this rule affects the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and affects the ability of purchasers to sell any of our securities in the secondary market.

For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require delivery, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule prepared by the Commission relating to the penny stock market. Disclosure is also required to be made about sales commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, monthly statements are required to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stock.

There can be no assurance that our shares of Common Stock will qualify for exemption from the Penny Stock Rule. In any event, even if our Common Stock were exempt from the Penny Stock Rule, we would remain subject to Section 15(b)(6) of the Exchange Act, which gives the Commission the authority to restrict any person from participating in a distribution of penny stock if the Commission finds that such a restriction would be in the public interest.

In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“ FINRA ”) has adopted similar rules that may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our Common Stock. FINRA rules require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for such customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our Common Stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.

Anti-takeover provisions could limit the ability of a third party to acquire us.

On February 15, 2017, we adopted a limited duration Shareholder Rights Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, one preferred stock purchase right will be distributed for each share of common stock held by stockholders of record on March 2, 2017. The rights will trade with the common stock and will not be separable or exercisable until such time as the Plan is triggered. The Plan was scheduled to expire on February 15, 2019, subject to the Company’s right to extend such date, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company or terminated.

On November 12, 2018, the Board of Directors of Legacy Education Alliance, Inc. (the “Company”) approved an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Rights Agreement dated as of February 16, 2017 by and between the Company and VStock Transfer  LLC (VStock), as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agreement”), to (i) extend the Final Expiration Date, as defined in the Rights Agreement, to the close of business on February 15, 2021, and (ii) to provide for the construction of the Rights Agreement and all other related documents in a manner consistent with the extension of the Final Expiration Date.

The extension of the Final Expiration Date under the Rights Agreement was entered into to ensure that the Board of Directors would continue to have sufficient time to consider any proposal from a third party that might result in a change in control of the Company, to ensure that all stockholders receive fair and equal treatment in the event of any such a proposal, and to encourage any potential acquirer to negotiate with the Board of Directors. In addition, extending the Rights Agreement will guard against partial tender offers, open market accumulations and other coercive tactics aimed at gaining control of the Company without paying all stockholders a full control premium for their shares. The Rights Agreement was not amended in response to any specific takeover offer.

The Nevada Revised Statutes, which is the general corporate law applicable to us, contain provisions governing an acquisition of controlling interest of us. These provisions provide generally that any person or entity that acquires a certain percentage of our outstanding voting shares may be denied voting rights with respect to the acquired shares, unless the acquisition is approved by both (i) the holders of a majority of the voting shares of our stock, and (ii) if the acquisition would adversely alter or change any preference or other right given to any other class or series of outstanding shares, the holders of a majority of each class or series effected, excluding the shares held by any interested person (including, such acquiring person or entity, an officer or a director of the corporation, and an employee of the corporation). This provision of the Nevada Revised Statutes could impede an acquisition of us even if a premium would be paid to our stockholders for their shares.

On November 25, 2019, we entered into an assumption agreement with Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge), whereby Broadridge assumes the role of Rights Agent under the Rights Agreement, effectively replacing VStock as Rights Agent.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The following table sets forth our office locations as of December 31, 2019:

We are the sole beneficiary of a land trust that owns the land and building of our executive offices in Cape Coral, Florida. James E. May, our Chief Executive Officer, serves as the trustee. Our executive office building is approximately 37,492 square feet and is situated on approximately 4.3 acres.

We lease approximately 208 square feet of office space which is used corporate administration purposes in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. The lease expires in January 2021 at which time we will lease the facility on a month to month basis. The total monthly rent is approximately $5,861. Currently, we are in the process of canceling the lease early.

We own four residential properties in the United Kingdom as investment and rental properties. These properties were acquired as case studies for our course offerings. Three of the properties were acquired to be leased to individual tenants. The fourth property was acquired with the intention of renovating and selling for a profit. In January 2020, we sold this property and we recognized a gain of $33.1 thousand.

We believe that our facilities are adequate for our current purposes.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 15 “Commitments and Contingencies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report for information about legal proceedings in which we are involved.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our shares of Common Stock are quoted on the OTCQB Market under the symbol LEAI. Prior to our Merger, our shares were quoted on the OTCQB Market under the symbol PRCD commencing on April 7, 2014. The following table shows the high and low bid prices of our common stock for the periods indicated. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commissions, and may not represent actual transactions.

Holders

As of December 31, 2019, there were approximately 266 stockholders of record for our Common Stock. The number of stockholders does not include beneficial owners holding shares through nominee names.

Dividends

We have not paid out any cash dividends for the past two years and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The Company’s 2015 Equity Plan (the “2015 Incentive Plan”) was approved by the stockholders at our annual meeting of stockholders on July 16, 2015. The 2015 Incentive Plan reserves 5,000,000 shares of our Common Stock for stock options, restricted stock, and a variety of other types of equity awards. The text of the 2015 Incentive Plan is included in the attachment marked as Appendix B to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2015. The financial activity pertaining to our employees and directors under the 2015 Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Note 7 “Share-Based Compensation” on page F-14 of our consolidated financial statements, presented herein.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not required.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to those described in Item 1A. Risk Factors and below under the caption “Outlook.” Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Business Overview

We are a provider of practical, high-quality, and value-based educational training on the topics of personal finance, entrepreneurship, real estate, and financial markets investing strategies and techniques. Our programs are offered through a variety of formats and channels, including free workshops, basic trainings, forums, telephone mentoring, one-on-one mentoring, coaching and e-learning. We market our products and services under two brands: Legacy Education^TM; and Homemade Investor in conjunction with HGTV’s star Tarek El Moussa. In October 2019, we launched our new proprietary line of coaching products to support our students through every phase of their journey with us, from beginner to experienced investor. Our products and services are offered in North America, UK and Other Foreign Markets. In December 2019, we held our first virtual (online) symposium and our first Legacy Investor Forum and entered into the Development Agreement with T&B Seminars, Inc. for the development of the Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa brand. In December 2019, we held our first virtual (online) symposium and our first Legacy Investor Forum, and entered into the Development Agreement with T&B Seminars, Inc. for the development of the Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa brand.

Our students pay for their courses in full up-front or through payment agreements with independent third parties. Under United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), we recognize revenue upon the earlier of (i) when our students take their courses or (ii) the term for taking their course expires, both of which could be several quarters after the student purchases a program and pays the fee. We recognize revenue immediately when we sell our (i) proprietary products delivered at time of sale and (ii) third party products sales. Our symposiums and forums combine multiple advanced training courses in one location, allowing us to achieve certain economies of scale that reduce costs and improve margins while also accelerating U.S. GAAP revenue recognition, while at the same time, enhancing our students’ experience, particularly, for example, through the opportunity to network with other students.

We also provide a richer experience for our students through one-on-one mentoring (two to four days in length, on site or remotely) and telephone mentoring (10 to 16 weekly one-on-one or one-on-many telephone sessions). Mentoring involves a subject matter expert interacting with the student remotely or in person and guiding the student, for example, through his or her first real estate transaction, providing a real hands-on experience.

We were founded in 1996, and through a reverse merger, became a publicly-held company in November 2014. Today we are a global company that has cumulatively served more than two million students from more than 150 countries and territories over the course of our operating history.

Our operations are managed through three operating segments: (i) North America, (ii) United Kingdom, and (iii) Other Foreign Markets.

As of December 31, 2019, we operate under two brands:

Recent Developments

On September 16, 2019, we received notice from Rich Dad Operating Company, LLC (“RDOC”), indicating that RDOC did not intend to extend the term of the September 1, 2013, Rich Dad Operating License Agreement (as amended, the “License Agreement”) by and between the Company and RDOC. The term of the License Agreement expired on September 30, 2019. Notwithstanding the expiration of the License Agreement, the Company may continue to use Licensed Intellectual Property, as defined in the License Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Rich Dad trademark and stylized logo, for the purpose of honoring and fulfilling orders by its customers in existence as of the date of the expiration of the Agreement.

On October 21, 2019, we launched our new proprietary line of coaching products to support our students through every phase of their journey with us, from beginner to experienced investor. It also represents a milestone in our going forward strategy of diversifying our sources of cash sales through the introduction of new brands and product lines. We offer coaching and mentoring services at a variety of price points that includes content ranging from mindset and motivation, continuing through coaching from subject matter experts in real estate investing techniques and strategies, and culminating in a personalized one-on-one onsite mentorship with one of the Company’s experienced mentors.

The Company will continue to attempt to reduce its operating expenses and increase the revenues derived from its other brands. However, the termination of the License Agreement may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. At end of the third quarter of 2019, we launched our core brand, Legacy Education, to continue providing our students with practical, high-quality, and value-based educational training on the topics of personal finance, entrepreneurship, real estate, financial markets, investing strategies and techniques.

On October 28, 2019, four creditors of Legacy Education Alliance International Ltd. (“Legacy UK”), one of our UK subsidiaries, obtained an order from the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales (the “English Court”) with respect to the business and affairs of Legacy UK. Pursuant to the Administration Order of November 15, 2019, from the English Court, the two individuals appointed as administrators engaged a third-party to market Legacy UK’s business and assets for sale to one or more third parties. On November 26, 2019, Legacy UK’s assets and deferred revenues sold for £300 thousand (British pounds) to Mayflower Alliance LTD. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Legacy UK. Further details, including the resolution of claims and liabilities, and other information regarding the administration may not be forthcoming for several months. We are considering our alternatives for future operations in the United Kingdom and is continuing to conduct business outside the United States through its other foreign subsidiaries in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and South Africa. The impact of this transaction is reflected as a discontinued operation in the consolidated financial statements.

On December 23, 2019, we entered into an agreement with T&B Seminars Inc. to develop and operate a seminar style education business (subsequently branded Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa) that will use, among other things, the names, images, and likenesses of Tarek El Moussa to market and sell customers real estate investing oriented education products. T&B granted to the Company a sole and exclusive worldwide license to certain intellectual property, including, certain trademarks and copyrights and the name, image and likeness of Tarek El Moussa, in each case to the extent necessary for us to develop and create educational materials and promote and conduct a branded real estate seminar style education business. This is our first step in introducing new brands moving forward to diversify cash sales in our real estate education programs.

On February 20, 2020, Anthony C. Humpage notified the Board of Directors of Legacy Education Alliance, Inc. (the “Company”) of his resignation as a director of our Company and all Company subsidiaries, effective as of March 31, 2020. Mr. Humpage’s resignation was not the result of any dispute or disagreement with our Board of Directors or management on any matter relating to our operations, policies or practices.

Historically, our operations have relied heavily on our and our students’ ability to travel and attend live events where large groups of people gather in local markets within each of the segments in which we operate. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic. As a result of worldwide restrictions on travel and social distancing, in March 202​0 we have ceased conducting live sales and fulfillment events for an undetermined period of time, which we expect will have a materially adverse impact on results of our operations.

One March 18, 2020, a Winding-Up Petition, CR-2020-001958, was filed in the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales against one of our UK subsidiaries, Elite Legacy Education UK Ltd. (“ELE UK”), by one its creditors. The Petition seeks an order from the Court to wind up the affairs of ELE UK under the UK Insolvency Act of 1986. A hearing on the Petition has been set for June 24, 2020. Because there are a number of intercompany relationships between the Company and ELE UK, the economic effect of such an order, if granted, is unknown at this time.

Results of Operations

Our financial results in 2019 were impacted by the factors that affected our 2018 annual financial results. During the prior period, the primary factors were increases in labor, litigation, and software costs in connection with our new ERP system which was placed into production in January 2018. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the aggregate increase in expense related to these items was $1.7 million, and $1.2 million, of which $1.5 million, and $1.1 million was related to litigation primarily associated with the installation of our ERP/CRM system which first went into production in January 2018. We anticipate no further expenses in this matter.

Our Results of Operations in 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

Our operating results expressed as a percentage of revenue are set forth in the table below:

Outlook

Cash sales were $79.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $79.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $0.2 million or 0.3%. The decrease was driven primarily by a $2.7 million decrease in our Other Foreign Markets segment, partially offset by a $2.1 million increase in our U.K. segment and a $0.4 million increase in our North American segment.

We believe that cash sales remain an important metric when evaluating our operating performance. Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, we recognize revenue upon the earlier of (i) when our students take their courses or (ii) the term for taking their course expires, both of which could be several quarters after the student purchases a program. Our students pay for their courses in full up-front or through payment agreements with independent third parties. 

We anticipate cash sales to decrease throughout 2020, particularly as we hone our selling and marketing strategy of our new Homemade Investor brand.

Historically, our operations have relied heavily on our and our students’ ability to travel and attend live events where large groups of people gather in local markets within each of the segments in which we operate. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic. As a result of worldwide restrictions on travel and social distancing, in March 202​0 we have ceased conducting live sales and fulfillment events for an undetermined period of time, which we expect will have a materially adverse impact on results of our operations.

Operating Segments

Our operations are managed through three operating segments: (i) North America, (ii) United Kingdom, and (iii) Other Foreign Markets.

Operating results for the segments are as follows:

North America

Over the past several years, our North America business has consisted primarily of Rich Dad™ Education brand offerings. Revenue derived from the Rich Dad brands was $43.5 million and $44.6 million or as a percentage of total segment revenue, 79.9% and 84.1%, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The majority pertained to real estate-related education, with the balance pertaining to financial markets training. We are continuing to develop non-Rich Dad brands Homemade Investor^TM and Legacy Education^TM to diversify our business, although our business to date in these brands has not been material to our Company as a whole.

The North America segment revenue was $54.4 million and $53.0 million or as a percentage of total revenue was 72.1% and 69.6% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The increase in revenue of $1.3 million or 2.6% during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, was due to the increase in fulfillment of $1.4 million and increase in recognition of revenue from expired contracts of $0.2 million.

U.K.

In contrast to our North America segment, our U.K. segment was more diversified among several different brands. Revenue derived from the Rich Dad brands was $3.5 million and $3.1 million or as a percentage of total segment revenue was 83.7% and 95.7% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The majority pertained to real estate-related education, with the balance pertaining to financial markets training. With the discontinued operations of UK Legacy, our U.K. segment is no longer as diverse.

The U.K. segment revenue was $4.1 million and $3.2 million or as a percentage of total revenue was 5.5% and 4.2% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The discontinued operations of Legacy UK reduced this segment’s revenue by $14.3 million and $17.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The increase in revenue of $0.9 million or 28.1% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, was due to increased fulfillment of $0.8 million and an increase in recognition of revenue from expired contracts of $0.1 million.

Other Foreign Markets

We operate in other foreign markets, including European, Asian and African countries. Revenue derived from the Rich Dad brands was $16.9 million and $19.3 million or as a percentage of total segment revenue was 100.0% and 97.2% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The Other Foreign Markets segment revenue was $17.0 million and $20.0 million or as a percentage of total revenue was 22.4% and 26.2% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The decrease in revenue of $3.0 million or 14.8% during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, was due to decreased fulfillment of $3.6 million, partially offset by the increased recognition of revenue from expired contracts of $0.6 million.

Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2018

Revenue

Revenue was $75.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $76.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $0.7 million or 0.9%. The decrease was due to decreased fulfillment of $1.5 million or 2.5%, partially offset by the increase in recognition of revenue from expired contracts of $0.8 million or 5.1%.

Cash sales were $79.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $79.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $0.2 million or 0.3%. The decrease was driven primarily by a $2.7 million decrease in our Other Foreign Markets segment, partially offset by a $2.1 million increase in our U.K. segment and a $0.4 million increase in our North American segment.

Operating Expenses

Total operating costs and expenses were $73.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $84.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $10.8 million or 12.8%. The decrease was due to a $5.7 million decrease in direct course expenses, a $2.6 million decrease in advertising and sales expenses, and a $2.5 million decrease in general and administrative expenses.

Direct course expenses

Direct course expenses relate to our free preview workshops, basic training and advanced training, and consist of instructor fees, facility costs, salaries, commissions and fees associated with our field representatives and related travel expenses. Direct course expenses were $39.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $45.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $5.7 million or 12.5%, which was primarily related to decreases in venue and travel costs and mentor fulfilment costs.

Advertising and sales expenses

We generally obtain most of our potential customers through internet-based advertising. Advertising and sales expenses consist of purchased media to generate registrations to our free preview workshops and costs associated with supporting customer recruitment. We obtain the majority of our customers through free preview workshops. These preview workshops are offered in various metropolitan areas in the North America, the United Kingdom, and Other Foreign Markets segments. Prior to the actual workshop, we spend a significant amount of money in the form of advertising through various media channels.

Advertising and sales expenses were $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $19.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $2.6 million or 13.5%. As a percentage of revenue, advertising and sales expenses were 22.1% and 25.3% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease is primarily related to our efforts to consolidate our offerings into our two brands Homemade Investor^TM and Legacy Education^TM.

Royalty expenses

We had licensing and related agreements with RDOC, whereby we have exclusive rights to develop, market, and sell Rich Dad Education-branded live seminars, training courses, and related products worldwide. Other licenses included Making Money^TM with Martin Roberts and Robbie Fowler’s Property Academy^TM. In connection with these agreements and our other licensing agreements, we are required to pay royalties. Royalty expenses were $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses primarily consist of compensation, benefits, insurance, professional fees, facilities expense and travel for the corporate staff, as well as depreciation and amortization expenses. General and administrative expenses were $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $2.5 million, or 15.2%. The decrease was primarily driven by decreases in professional fees and software costs in connection with our new ERP system which was placed into production in January 2018.

Other income (expense), net

Other income was $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to other expense of $(0.1) million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase in other income of $0.6 million, mainly represents a cash payment from Process America, Inc. in the amount of $0.4 million, received as a distribution on the legal case.

Income tax expense

We recorded income tax benefit of $1.3 million and income tax expense of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, a $1.8 million decrease in income tax expense.

Our effective tax rate was (60.3)% and (5.5)% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our effective tax rates differed from the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate of 21.0% and 35.0%, for the same periods, primarily because of the mix of pre-tax income or loss earned in certain jurisdictions.

We record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively, a valuation allowance of $4.7 million and $6.9 million, has been provided against net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we decreased the valuation allowance by $2.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we increased the valuation allowance by $2.2 million.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the valuation allowance against the U.S. deferred taxes was $4.7 million and $6.8 million, respectively. The Company assessed the weight of all available positive and negative evidence and determined it was not more likely than not that future earnings will be sufficient to realize the deferred tax assets in the U.S.

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

Net income from continuing operations was $3.3 million or $0.14 per basic and diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to net loss of ($9.0) million or ($0.39) per basic and diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease in net loss of $12.3 million or $0.53 per basic and diluted common share.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was positively impacted by the decrease in operating cost of $10.8 million. 

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

Net income from discontinued operations was $6.6 million or $0.29 per basic common share and $0.28 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to net loss of ($0.9) million or ($0.04) per basic and diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease in net loss of $7.5 million or $0.33 per basic common share and $0.32 per diluted common share.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 mainly represents the gain on disposal of discontinued operations net assets.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. In addition to the estimates presented below, there are other items within our consolidated financial statements that require estimation but are not deemed critical as defined below. We believe these estimates are reasonable and appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used, the resulting changes could have a material effect on the financial statements taken as a whole.

Management believes that the following policies and estimates are critical because they involve significant judgments, assumptions and estimates. Management has discussed the development and selection of the critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosures presented below relating to those policies and estimates.

Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the carrying amount of our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We record an impairment loss when indications of impairment are present and undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than assets’ carrying value. We evaluate the remaining life and recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. At such time, we estimate the future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual dispositions and, if lower than the carrying amounts, adjust the carrying amount of the assets to their estimated fair value. Because of our changing business conditions including current and projected level of income, business trends, prospects and market conditions, our estimates of cash flows to be generated from our operations could change materially, resulting in the need to record additional impairment charges.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when our customers obtain control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services, in accordance with Topic 606.

We adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Revenue amounts presented in our consolidated financial statements are recognized net of sales tax, value-added taxes, and other taxes.

In the normal course of business, we recognize revenue based on the customers’ attendance of the course, mentoring training, coaching session or delivery of the software, data or course materials on-line. After a customer contract expires, we record breakage revenue less a reserve for cases where we allow a customer to attend after expiration. We had deferred revenue of $46.5 million and $44.2 million related to contractual commitments with customers where the performance obligation will be satisfied over time, which ranges from one to two years as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The revenue associated with these performance obligations is recognized as the obligation is satisfied.

The following table disaggregate our segment revenue by revenue source:

Income Taxes 

We account for income taxes in conformity with the requirements of ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Per ASC 740, the provision for income taxes is calculated using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities, at enacted income tax rates, based on the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities. We include any effects of changes in income tax rates or tax laws in the provision for income taxes in the period of enactment. When it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future, we provide a corresponding valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset.

ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not and a measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In making this assessment, a company must determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, based solely on the technical merits of the position and must assume that the tax position will be examined by taxing authorities. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition.

Accounting for Litigation and Settlements

We are involved in various legal proceedings. Due to their nature, such legal proceedings involve inherent uncertainties including, but not limited to, court rulings, negotiations between affected parties, and the possibility of governmental intervention. Management assesses the probability of loss for such contingencies and accrues a liability and/or discloses the relevant circumstances as appropriate. While certain of these matters involve substantial amounts, management believes, based on available information, that the ultimate resolution of such legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

The critical accounting policies discussed above are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., with no need for management’s judgment in their application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Known Trends and Uncertainties

In general, we believe we will experience a decrease in demand for our products and services compared to prior periods as we develop the Homemade Investor with Tarek El Moussa brand. We believe that our products and services appeal to those who seek increased financial freedom. If we experience a prolonged decline in demand for our products and services, it could have a material adverse effect on our future operating results.

Historically, we have funded our working capital and capital expenditures using cash and cash equivalents on hand. However, given our relatively modest operating cash flows during the past two years combined, it has been necessary for us to manage our cash position to ensure the future viability of our business. Our cash flows are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, earnings, favorable terms from our merchant processors, seasonality, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Our unrestricted cash position has improved during the year ended December 31, 2019 with the addition of new merchant processors in the second half of 2018, who retain a significantly lower reserve than our main merchant processor had done for most of fiscal year 2018. As a result, our unrestricted cash in fiscal year 2018 was limited. In July 2019, one of our former merchant processors released a reserve of $1.9 million, with an additional $1.5 million in November 2019.

We continue to take steps to ensure our expenses are in line with our projected cash sales and liquidity requirements for 2020. However, for the year ended December 31, 2019, we had an accumulated deficit and a working capital deficit. These circumstances raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to generate profits by expanding current operations as well as reducing our costs and increasing our operating margins, and to sustain adequate working capital to finance our operations. The failure to achieve the necessary levels of profitability and cash flows would be detrimental to us.

The following is a summary of our cash flow activities for the periods stated (in thousands):

Operating Cash Flows and Liquidity

Net cash provided by operating activities was $0.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $1.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2018, representing a period-over-period increase of $1.8 million. This increase was primarily the result of increased earnings and reductions in our costs structure.

Investing Cash Flows

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $27.0 thousand and $819.0 thousand in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, representing our net purchases of property and equipment, and investment property.

Financing Cash Flows

Our consolidated capital structure as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was 100.0% equity.

Net cash used in financing activities totaled $7.0 thousand compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $489.0 thousand in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily represents the proceeds from the issuance of the Promissory Note, due March 13, 2020, currently under extension renegotiation.

We expect that our working capital deficit, which is primarily a result of our significant deferred revenue balance, will continue for the foreseeable future. As of December 31, 2019, and 2018, our consolidated current deferred revenue was $46.5 million and $44.2 million, respectively.

Our cash and cash equivalents were, and continue to be, invested in short-term, liquid, money market funds. Restricted cash balances consisted primarily of funds on deposit with credit card processors and cash collateral with our credit card vendors. Restricted cash balances held by credit card processors are unavailable to us unless we discontinue sale of our products or discontinue the usage of a vendor’s credit card. As sales of the products and services related to our domestic business have decreased, our credit card vendors have not returned funds held as collateral, resulting in higher restricted cash balances.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2019.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not required.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Legacy Education Alliance, Inc.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

Legacy Education Alliance, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Legacy Education Alliance, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Going Concern Matter

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has a net working capital deficiency and an accumulated deficit that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

LEGACY EDUCATION ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

LEGACY EDUCATION ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(In thousands, except per share data)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

LEGACY EDUCATION ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit

(In thousands)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

LEGACY EDUCATION ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

LEGACY EDUCATION ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1—Business Description and Basis of Presentation

Business Description. We are a provider of practical, high-quality, and value-based educational training on the topics of personal finance, entrepreneurship, real estate, and financial markets investing strategies and techniques. Our programs are offered through a variety of formats and channels, including free workshops, basic trainings, symposiums, forums, telephone mentoring, one-on-one mentoring, coaching and e-learning. We market our products and services under two brands: Legacy Education^TM and Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa^TM. In October 2019, we launched our new proprietary line of coaching products to support our students through every phase of their journey with us, from beginner to experienced investor. Our products and services are offered in North America, UK and Other Foreign Markets. In December 2019, we held our first virtual (online) symposium and our first Legacy Investor Forum, and entered into the Development Agreement with T&B Seminars, Inc. for the development of the Homemade Investor by Tarek El Moussa brand.

Our students pay for their courses in full up-front or through payment agreements with independent third parties. Under United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), we recognize revenue upon the earlier of (i) when our students take their courses or (ii) the term for taking their course expires, both of which could be several quarters after the student purchases a program and pays the fee. We recognize revenue immediately when we sell our (i) proprietary products delivered at time of sale and (ii) third party products sales. Our symposiums and forums combine multiple advanced training courses in one location, allowing us to achieve certain economies of scale that reduce costs and improve margins while also accelerating U.S. GAAP revenue recognition, while at the same time, enhancing our students’ experience, particularly, for example, through the opportunity to network with other students.

We also provide a richer experience for our students through one-on-one mentoring (two to four days in length, on site or remotely) and telephone mentoring (10 to 16 weekly one-on-one or one-on-many telephone sessions). Mentoring involves a subject matter expert interacting with the student remotely or in person and guiding the student, for example, through his or her first real estate transaction, providing a real hands-on experience. 

Our operations are managed through three operating segments: (i) North America, (ii) United Kingdom, and (iii) Other Foreign Markets.

Merger. On November 10, 2014, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of such date (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among (i) PRCD, a Nevada corporation, (ii) Priced In Corp. Subsidiary, a Colorado corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of PRCD (“PRCD Sub”), (iii) Tigrent Inc., a Colorado corporation (“TIGE”), and (iv) Legacy Education Alliance Holdings, Inc., a Colorado corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of TIGE (“Legacy Holdings”). On November 10, 2014, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, PRCD Sub merged with and into Legacy Holdings (the “Merger”), with Legacy Holdings surviving the Merger and becoming our wholly owned subsidiary and we acquired the business of Legacy Holdings.

Basis of Presentation. The terms “Legacy Education Alliance, Inc.,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or “Legacy” as used in this report refer collectively to Legacy Education Alliance, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Legacy”), the registrant, which was formerly known as Priced In Corp., and, unless the context otherwise requires, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Legacy Education Alliance Holdings, Inc., a Colorado corporation, other operating subsidiaries and any predecessor of Legacy Education Alliance Holdings, including Tigrent Inc., a Colorado corporation. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. As discussed in Note 4 “Discontinued Operations”, the sale of Legacy Education Alliance International Ltd (Legacy UK) assets and deferred revenue is reflected as a discontinued operation in the consolidated financial statements.

Reclassification. We have reclassified certain amounts in our prior-period financial statements to conform to the current period’s presentation.

Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies

Going Concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, we had an accumulated deficit and a working capital deficit. These circumstances raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to generate profits by expanding current operations as well as reducing our costs and increasing our operating margins, and to sustain adequate working capital to finance our operations. The failure to achieve the necessary levels of profitability and cash flows would be detrimental to us. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

Use of Estimates. Conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates form the basis for judgments we make about the carrying values of our assets and liabilities, which are not readily apparent from other sources. We base our estimates and judgments on historical information and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments in several areas, including, but not limited to, those related to deferred revenues, reserve for breakage, deferred costs, revenue recognition, commitments and contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, useful lives of property and equipment, right-of-use assets, and income taxes. These estimates are based on management's knowledge about current events and expectations about actions we may undertake in the future. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents. We consider all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash or cash equivalents. We continually monitor and evaluate our investment positions and the creditworthiness of the financial institutions with which we invest and maintain deposit accounts. When appropriate, we utilize Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) to reduce banking risk for a portion of our cash in the United States. A CDAR consists of numerous individual investments, all below the FDIC limits, thus fully insuring that portion of our cash. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we did not have a CDAR balance.

Restricted cash. Restricted cash balances consist primarily of funds on deposit with credit card and other payment processors. These balances do not have the benefit of federal deposit insurance and are subject to the financial risk of the parties holding these funds. Restricted cash balances held by credit card processors are unavailable to us unless, and for a period of time after, we discontinue the use of their services. Because a portion of these funds can be accessed and converted to unrestricted cash in less than one year in certain circumstances, that portion is considered a current asset. Restricted cash is included with cash and cash equivalents in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

 Deposits with credit card processors. The deposits with our credit card processors are held due to arrangements under which our credit card processors withhold credit card funds to cover charge backs in the event we are unable to honor our commitments. These deposits are included in restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheet.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts in the consolidated cash flow statements:

Financial Instruments. Financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, deferred course expenses, accrued expenses, deferred revenue, and debt. U.S. GAAP requires the disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments, including assets and liabilities recognized in the balance sheets. Management believes the carrying value of the other financial instruments recognized on the consolidated balance sheets (including receivables, payables and accrued liabilities) approximate their fair value.

Inventory. Inventory consists primarily of books, videos and training materials held for sale to students enrolled in our training programs. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method.

Property, equipment and Impairment of long-lived assets. Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as presented in the following table:

Residential rental properties generate monthly income from individual tenants. Income from these properties is recognized and included in other income.

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful asset life or the remaining term of the applicable lease.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we evaluate the carrying amount of our long-lived assets such as property and equipment, and finite-lived intangible assets subject to amortization for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets held and used is measured by the comparison of its carrying amount with the future net cash flows the asset is expected to generate. We look primarily to the undiscounted future cash flows in the assessment of whether or not long-lived assets have been impaired. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset.

Other assets include our residential investment property. On January 17, 2020, we sold this property for $390.6 thousand and recognized a gain of $33.1 thousand.

Revenue recognition.

We recognize revenue when our customers obtain control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services, in accordance with Topic 606.

We adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Revenue amounts presented in our consolidated financial statements are recognized net of sales tax, value-added taxes, and other taxes.

In the normal course of business, we recognize revenue based on the customers’ attendance of the course, mentoring training, coaching session or delivery of the software, data or course materials on-line. After a customer contract expires, we record breakage revenue less a reserve for cases where we allow a customer to attend after expiration. We had deferred revenue of $46.5 million and $44.2 million related to contractual commitments with customers where the performance obligation will be satisfied over time, which ranges from one to two years as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The revenue associated with these performance obligations is recognized as the obligation is satisfied. We did not have a material change in financial position, results of operations, or cash flows and therefore there is no cumulative impact recorded to opening equity as of January 1, 2018, the adoption date.

The following tables disaggregate our segment revenue by revenue source: 

Deferred course expenses. We defer licensing fees and commissions and fees paid to our speakers and telemarketers until such time as the revenue is earned. Our speakers, who are all independent contractors, earn commissions on the cash receipts received at our training events and are paid approximately 45 days after the training event. The deferred course expenses are expensed as the corresponding deferred revenue is recognized. We also capitalize the commissions and fees paid to our speakers and expense them as the corresponding deferred revenue is recognized.

Advertising expenses. We expense advertising as incurred. Advertising paid in advance is recorded as a prepaid expense until such time as the advertisement is published.

Income taxes. We account for income taxes in conformity with the requirements of ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Per ASC 740, the provision for income taxes is calculated using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities, at enacted income tax rates, based on the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities. We include any effects of changes in income tax rates or tax laws in the provision for income taxes in the period of enactment. When it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future, we provide a corresponding valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset.

ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not and a measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In making this assessment, a company must determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, based solely on the technical merits of the position and must assume that the tax position will be examined by taxing authorities. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, disclosures and transition.

Foreign currency translation. We account for foreign currency translation in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currencies of our foreign operations are the reported local currencies. Translation adjustments result from translating our foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into United States dollars. The balance sheet accounts of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into United States dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated using average exchange rates for each month during the fiscal year. The resulting translation gains or losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ deficit. Business is generally transacted in a single currency not requiring meaningful currency transaction costs. We do not practice hedging as the risks do not warrant the costs.

Share-based compensation. We account for share-based awards under the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” Accordingly, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and we expense these costs using the straight-line method over the requisite service period. See Note 7 “Share-Based Compensation”, for additional disclosures regarding our share-based compensation.

Comprehensive income. Comprehensive income includes changes to equity accounts that were not the result of transactions with stockholders. Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income items. Our comprehensive income generally consists of changes in the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment.

Discontinued operations. ASC 205-20-45, “Presentation of Financial Statements Discontinued Operations” requires discontinued operations to be reported if the disposal of a business component represents a strategic shift that has a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial reports. We have determined that the sale of Legacy UK meets this criterion. Accordingly, the assets, deferred revenues, and income statement of Legacy UK were transferred to discontinued operations to close out the business. See Note 4 “Discontinued Operations”, for additional disclosures regarding Legacy UK.

Accounting Standards Adopted in the Current Period

We have implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that management believes would materially affect our financial statements.

In June 2018, an accounting update was issued to simplify the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions resulting from expanding the scope of ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. An entity should apply the requirements of ASC Topic 718 to nonemployee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost (that is, the period of time over which share-based payment awards vest and the pattern of cost recognition over that period). The amendments specify that ASC Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The amendments also clarify that ASC Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this accounting update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of ASC Topic 606. We adopted this accounting update effective January 1, 2019. Adoption of this accounting standard had no impact on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No 2016-02 “Leases” to increase the transparency and comparability about leases among entities. Additional ASUs have been issued subsequent to ASU 2016-02 to provide supplementary clarification and implementation guidance for leases related to, among other things, the application of certain practical expedients, the rate implicit in the lease, lessee reassessment of lease classification, lessor reassessment of lease term and purchase options, variable payments that depend on an index or rate and certain transition adjustments. ASU 2016-02 and these additional ASUs are now codified as Accounting Standards Codification Standard 842 - “Leases” (“ASC 842”). ASC 842 supersedes the lease accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 840 “Leases” (“ASC 840”) and requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a corresponding lease asset for virtually all lease contracts. It also requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. We elected to utilize the “package” of three expedients, as defined in ASC 842, which retain the lease classification and initial direct costs for any leases that existed prior to adoption of the standard. Accordingly, previously reported financial information has not been restated to reflect the application of the new standard to the comparative periods presented. As of the date of implementation on January 1, 2019, the impact of the adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of a right-of-use asset and operating lease liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet of approximately $0.4 million. As the right of use asset and the lease payable obligation were the same upon adoption of ASC 842, there was no cumulative effect impact on our retained earnings. See Note 16 “Leases”, to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

In July 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-11, I “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments With Down Round Features” and II “Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests With a Scope Exception”. This standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019. Adoption of this accounting standard had no material impact on our financial statements.

Note 3—Concentration Risk

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We maintain deposits in banks which may exceed the federal deposit insurance available. Management believes the potential risk of loss on these cash and cash equivalents to be minimal. All cash balances as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, including foreign subsidiaries, without FDIC coverage was $2.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Revenue

A significant portion of our revenue was derived from the Rich Dad brands. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, Rich Dad brands provided 84.6% and 88.0%, respectively, of our revenue. In addition, we have operations in North America, United Kingdom and Other foreign markets (See Note 14 “Segment Information”).

On September 16, 2019, we received notice from Rich Dad Operating Company, LLC (“RDOC”), indicating that RDOC did not intend to extend the term of the September 1, 2013, Rich Dad Operating License Agreement (as amended, the “License Agreement”) by and between us and RDOC. The term of the License Agreement expired on September 30, 2019. Notwithstanding the expiration of the License Agreement, the Company may continue to use Licensed Intellectual Property, as defined in the License Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Rich Dad trademark and stylized logo, for the purpose of honoring and fulfilling orders by its customers in existence as of the date of the expiration of the Agreement. 

Note 4—Discontinued Operations

On October 28, 2019, four creditors of Legacy Education Alliance International Ltd. (“Legacy UK”), one of our UK subsidiaries, obtained an order from the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales (the “English Court”) with respect to the business and affairs of Legacy UK. Pursuant to the Administration Order of November 15, 2019, from the English Court, the two individuals appointed as administrators engaged a third-party to market Legacy UK’s business and assets for sale to one or more third parties. On November 26, 2019, Legacy UK’s assets and deferred revenues sold for £300 thousand (British pounds) to Mayflower Alliance LTD. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Legacy UK. Further details, including the resolution of claims and liabilities, and other information regarding the administration may not be forthcoming for several months. We are considering our alternatives for future operations in the United Kingdom and is continuing to conduct business outside the United States through its other foreign subsidiaries in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and South Africa. The impact of this transaction is reflected as a discontinued operation in the consolidated financial statements.

The major classes of assets and liabilities of Legacy UK were as follows:

The financial results of the discontinued operations are as follows:

The following is a summary of Legacy UK cash flow activities for the periods stated (in thousands):

Note 5—Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):

Depreciation expense on property and equipment in each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $0.1 million.

Note 6—Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

The following is a summary of scheduled debt maturities by year (in thousands): 

On September 13, 2018, we entered into a Promissory Note and Mortgage and Security Agreement pursuant to which we borrowed the principal amount of $500 thousand from USA ReGrowth Fund LLC. At closing, we received $459,269 in net proceeds after closing costs and other fees and costs. The Promissory Note, repayment of which was initially due on March 13, 2019, was issued in an aggregate principal amount of $500 thousand and bore interest at a fixed rate of 12% per annum during the initial 120 days of the term of the Promissory Note, and a fixed rate of 30% per annum until all amounts due under the Promissory Note are paid in full. Pursuant to the Mortgage and Security Agreement, repayment of the Promissory Note is secured by a first mortgage on the property located at 1612 East Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, FL. 33904. On March 8, 2019, we executed an extension of the maturity date to September 13, 2019. During the initial 120 days of the extension period, the Promissory Note bore interest at a fixed rate of 12% per annum and a fixed rate of 30% per annum thereafter until all amounts due thereunder are paid. On September 13, 2019, we executed a second extension of the maturity date to March 13, 2020. During the initial 120 days of the second extension period, the Promissory Note bears a fixed rate of 12% per annum and a fixed rate of 30% per annum thereafter until all amounts due thereunder are paid. The extension matures on March 13, 2020. Currently, we are negotiating a 60-day extension with the lender.

On January 21, 2019, we entered into a six-month Bridging Loan Agreement pursuant to which we borrowed the principal amount of £300 thousand (British Pounds) from D.J. Fatica Asset Management Ltd. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 12% per annum. The loan is secured by property owned by LEAI Properties UK Ltd. On July 15, 2019, we paid the loan off in full.

Note 7—Share-Based Compensation

The 2015 Incentive Plan, our equity plan, was approved by the stockholders at our annual meeting of stockholders on July 16, 2015. The 2015 Incentive Plan reserves 5,000,000 shares of our Common Stock for stock options, restricted stock, and a variety of other types of equity awards. We believe that long-term incentive compensation programs align the interests of management, employees and the stockholders to create long-term stockholder value. We believe that equity-based incentive compensation plans, such as the Incentive Plan, increase our ability to achieve this objective, and, by allowing for several different forms of long-term equity based incentive awards, help us to recruit, reward, motivate and retain talented employees and other service providers. The text of the 2015 Incentive Plan is included in the attachment marked as Appendix B to our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2015.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, pursuant to the 2015 Incentive Plan, we awarded 34,650 shares of restricted stock to members of the Board of Directors, which are subject to a two-year cliff vesting. The grant date price per share was $0.20 for a total grant date fair value of $7.0 thousand. We also granted 20,000 shares of restricted stock to Senior Management, which were fully vested at a grant date. The grant date price per share was $0.18 for a total grant date fair value of $3.6 thousand.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, pursuant to the 2015 Incentive Plan, we awarded 120,000 shares of restricted stock to members of the Board of Directors, which are subject to a two-year cliff vesting. The grant date price per share was $0.22 for a total grant date fair value of $0.03 million.

The following table reflects the activity of the restricted shares:

Compensation Expense and Related Valuation Techniques

We account for share-based awards under the provisions of ASC 718, “Share-Based Payment,” which established the accounting for share-based awards exchanged for employee services. Accordingly, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and we expense these costs using the straight-line method over the requisite service period. Unrecognized compensation expense associated with unvested share-based awards, consisting entirely of unvested restricted stock, was $21,421 and $106,489 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.5 years.

Our stock-based compensation expense was approximately $0.1 million and 0.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). There were no related income tax effects in either year.

Note 8—Employee Benefit Plan

  We have a 401(k) employee savings plan for eligible employees that provides for a matching contribution from us, determined each year at our discretion. We provided for a matching contribution of $0.2 million and $0.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Note 9—Income Taxes 

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities, at enacted income tax rates, based on the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities. We include any effects of changes in income tax rates or tax laws in the provision for income taxes in the period of enactment. When it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future, we provide a corresponding valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset.

We have retained full valuation allowances of $4.7 million and $6.9 million against the deferred tax assets of our United States, Australian, Canadian, U.K. (excluding Elite Legacy Education UK), Hong Kong, and South Africa subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The most significant negative factor that was considered in determining whether a valuation allowance was required is a cumulative recent history of losses in all jurisdictions for the entities mentioned above.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the valuation allowance against the U.S. deferred taxes was $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively. We assessed the weight of all available positive and negative evidence and determined it was not more likely than not that future earnings will be sufficient to realize the deferred tax assets in the U.S.

As of December 31, 2019, and 2018, we had approximately $4.8 million and $8.4 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards, approximately $19.7 million and $25.0 million of foreign net operating loss carryforwards, respectively, and approximately $8.9 million and $14.3 million of state net operating loss carryforwards, respectively. The foreign loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2027 and the state net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2024.

Our sources of income (loss) and income tax provision (benefit) are as follows (in thousands):

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we decreased the valuation allowance by $0.6 million. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we increased the valuation allowance by $2.2 million.

The difference between the tax provision at the statutory federal income tax rate and the tax provision attributable to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes is as follows (in thousands):