Our Company

Our Commitment

We believe in the wisdom of the flight attendant in pre-flight instructions: "...place your own oxygen mask on first, then you will be able to assist those around you."

In order for you to be effective for those around you, take the advice and take care of yourself first. Learn to take charge of your life. Take control of your attitude. Be proactive in the formation of your self image. Become proficient in motivating yourself.
That is our mission...to give people the tools to do these things.

Our Philosophy

In a nutshell...WE TEACH HOPE.

Our Background

Edge Learning was started in 1973. The corporate offices are in Tacoma, WA. Mike and his wife Rosemary bought the franchise rights for Edge Learning Institute of Montana in 1999. They operate the state office out of Absarokee, Montana.

To date, Edge Learning of Montana has had over 1200 people attend "Increasing Human Effectiveness." Seminars have been given in many school districts as well as small and large businesses. The goal is to have the teenage program "Unlocking Your Potential" in every high school in the state. Two-day retreats are also available for school boards or business leaders with a program in team building called "Committed to Quality." Now available --A fresh new look at diversity education called "Increasing Respect in the Workplace."

Our President/Owner

Mike Reynolds

• BS from Eastern Montana College in Education
• MS from Montana State University in School Administration
• Taught, coached, and worked in education for 28 years
• Superintendent of Schools in Absarokee for 16 years
• Worked in real estate sales since 1996 at Absarokee Properties
• Served on many boards and commissions including such things as Montana Tourism, Water District, Special Ed. Coop, Athletic Conferences, and School Administrators 
• Married with seven children
• Mine and market Yogo Sapphires

Entrepreneur: Local Edge Learning Institute creates better mental managers
Gazette Staff

During his 28 years as an educator, 16 of those years as superintendent of Absarokee Schools, Mike Reynolds attended a lot of training seminars. And, during many of those seminars, he noticed the presenter seemed to be having more fun than he was.

He quickly decided that someday he would be the one doing the presenting.

After retiring from the school district, Reynolds opened a Montana branch of the popular Edge Learning Institute. He soon found that once he had people in their seats, his seminars were a smash success.

But, getting them in their seats was the hard part. Reynolds realized he wasn't a very good marketer, so he decided to practice what he preaches.

"The first thing that I had to do was change my own self-image, from seeing myself intimidated by marketing to enjoying and looking forward to telling people about this program," he said.

Reynolds, who still lives in Absarokee, can be reached at 328-4798, or through his Web site at edgelearningofmontana.com. Here's what else he had to say about starting his own business:

Nature of Business:
Imagine where you work. What would happened if everyone started taking responsibility for their own attitudes? Everyone suddenly became accountable for their own actions and decisions? Everyone had a one notch rise in self-esteem? Everyone knew how to motivate themselves? Edge Learning of Montana is a provider of educational programs for adults and teenagers. We teach company employees, organizations, school district staffs, parents, or anyone who wants to learn how to be better mental managers. Once people realize that they are 100 percent in control of things like attitude, they can face life's challenges with new hope and live each day on purpose. Our adult class is called "Increasing Human Effectiveness." The same message is taught to teenagers in "Unlocking Your Potential." Then we offer an excellent team building program called "Committed To Quality."

Why start this business?
I spent 28 years in education, 24 as a school administrator. During that time I attended countless classes and seminars. I always thought that the guy (or gal) in front of the class was having a lot more fun than I was. I decided that someday I was going to be that guy. Additionally, one of my basic values is to do something that touches people's lives. This definitely gives me that opportunity.

Where did the start-up funding come from?
There's a bank just down the street. They seem to have a lot of money. I just asked if I could use some of it for a year of two.

How long have you been in business?
We bought the rights to do these programs from a company called Edge Learning Institute out of Tacoma three years ago this month. Since then we have had about 950 adults go through the program.

Biggest challenge in running the business?
I have always felt that I am dynamite once I get participants in the chairs. It is getting people there that is the greatest challenge. In a word - marketing.

What was done to overcome those challenges?
The answer to this question comes right out of our curriculum. The first thing that I had to do was change my own self-image. People need to know this information. They just do not know it yet.

What is being done to expand the business?
I always have my antennae up looking for opportunities to show off my seminars and for interested people who would like to spread the word, perhaps become associates to help market and facilitate the classes. This is not a multi-level, network marketing thing. It is just that the state of Montana is just too big to do it alone. Therefore, I am always on the lookout for the right kind of assistance.

Your worst business mistake?
I spent 2-plus years trying to make marketers out of some really nice people I know. Didn't work. If someone does not see themselves as comfortable calling company human relations or training people or any of the other things that one must do in sales to get prospects to look at your product, and are not motivated to do this type of work because they enjoy doing it, they just will not do it. We teach how motivation works. It must be an inside job. I was no doubt looking in the wrong places.

Advice for someone running a business?
Do not be afraid to ask for advice or help. I sometimes try to do things on my own. You know there are a lot of really smart people out there. The good ones love to see others succeed and are willing to help.

Number of workers?
I have trained people in Great Falls, Helena, Bozeman, and Billings to be facilitators and associates. We brought in sales training. Only our Bozeman associate, Tom Tursich, is motivated and has the self-image to go after the clients.

The others?
I guess they are outside of their comfort zones. My wife is a trained facilitator. And then there's me.

What is your five-year plan for the business?
I want to see Edge Leaning of Montana get our message to at least 1 percent of the people of Montana (about 9,000) as a cooperative effort between my wife, myself, and 3-4 associates motivated enough to market and sincere enough to deliver our message. I also want the teenage program in every high school in Montana.

A question you would ask other entrepreneurs?
Since I do not feel that I have done a very good job of writing a business plan, I would ask how important a business plan is and how to write one that is not just nice sounding words, but a living document that keeps one focused.

If you weren't doing what your are now, what would be your dream job?
I am doing it.

Billings Gazette - December 2, 2002