RALLY DE LEON, MBA

Sherri Ferguson is a President’s Club Award-winning North Carolina Business Broker, M&A Advisor, Business Sales Advisor, Business Valuation Advisor, and Business Exit Planning Expert with Transworld Business Advisors. She serves business owners and qualified buyers throughout the Triangle, and North Carolina. Sherri has called Raleigh home since 1990. She has extensive experience in helping clients through negotiations, financing, buyer/seller meetings, and strategically closing deals on both buy and sell sides within a vast array of industries. From the initial valuation through closing day, Sherri serves as a trusted advisor throughout the entire business sale process. She works closely with business owners, attorneys, accountants, lenders, wealth managers, and financial planners to prepare businesses for market and position owners for successful exits. Her expertise includes business valuations, confidential marketing, identifying qualified buyers, coordinating financing, negotiating favorable transaction structures, managing due diligence, and facilitating successful closings. Whether a client is planning to retire, pursue a new opportunity, or simply asking, "How do I sell my business in North Carolina?", Sherri provides the experience, guidance, and advocacy needed to achieve the best possible outcome. Sherri is an active member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), the Carolinas-Virginia Business Brokers Association (CVBBA), and the North Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. She continually invests in advanced business brokerage education and remains current on market trends, valuation methodologies, buyer financing, and transaction best practices to better serve business owners throughout North Carolina. If you're looking for an experienced Business Broker, M&A Advisor, Business Sales Advisor, Business Exit Planning Expert, or Business Valuation Advisor to help you sell your business in North Carolina, Sherri Ferguson brings the market knowledge, negotiation expertise, professional network, and proven transaction experience to confidently guide you through every step of the process while maximizing value and protecting your legacy.

The Premier Choice for North Carolina Business Owners Co-owned by the power couple Steve Wright, PhD, and Tina Wright, Transworld Business Advisors of Central North Carolina is a nationally recognized, award-winning business brokerage firm. Over the last few years, Steve, Tina, and their elite advisory team have successfully guided nearly 200 North Carolina business owners through lucrative exit strategies and confidential company sales. Driven by robust confidentiality as trusted negotiators, the firm has solidified its reputation as the top-ranking brokerage in central North Carolina. An Elite Team of Credentialed Professionals What separates Transworld Central NC from independent firms is the sheer depth of its roster. The firm boasts a highly specialized team of advisors who hold the absolute highest designations and distinctions, M&A, academic, and commercial property sectors. The team includes professionals armed with: + Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) – The gold standard designation from the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). + Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) – The elite credential for lower-middle market corporate transactions held by Tina Wright. + Licensed Real Estate Broker Status – Held by Tina Wright, allowing the firm to seamlessly structure complex commercial real estate transfers tied to business acquisitions. + Certified M&A Professional (CM&AP) & Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. + Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Held by Steve Wright, injecting rigorous analytical methodology and advanced strategic vision into market research and complex deal evaluation. Tina pairs master-level transactional expertise with sophisticated advisory to consistently maximize enterprise value. Multiple national and global accolades back the office, including: + Transworld Global "Team Players of the Year" – Awarded to Steve and Tina Wright for exceptional collaborative deal execution. + Transworld Global "Mentor of the Year" – Awarded to Tina Wright for leadership within the brokerage community. + Axial Top 5 National Ranking – Transworld is ranked among the top 5 nationwide for closed transaction quality. + President’s Club Elite Status – Roster members regularly rank in the top 1% of brokers globally for annual closed transaction volume. + IBBA Platinum Chairman's Circle Award — Highest production distinction awarded by the IBBA. + IBBA Chairman's Circle Award — Recognized for exceptional transaction volume and excellence. + CVBBA Multi-Million Dollar Award — Honored for multi-million dollar transaction success. + Mergers & Acquisitions Executive Club Award — Elite performance in high-stakes M&A transactions. + Platinum Club Award — Recognition for top-tier corporate production and deal volume. + President’s Award of Excellence (8 Years) — Consecutive eight-year streak of elite performance. + Circle of Excellence (UFG 8 Years) — Member of United Franchise Group's premier circle. + Transworld President’s Award — Awarded for outstanding contribution to company growth. + Transworld Mentor of the Year — Recognized for dedication to developing rising talent. + Transworld Team Player of the Year — Honored for exceptional collaboration and support. + Presidential Recognition Award — Executive honor for outstanding professional dedication. Deep Regulatory and Regional Alignment The team maintains continuous professional development and strict ethical alignment through active leadership and membership in the world’s most respected brokerage networks: International Business Brokers Association (IBBA): Ensuring cutting-edge market analytics and access to an exclusive global network of institutional and private buyers. Carolinas-Virginia Business Brokers Association (CVBBA): Keeping the firm deeply synchronized with local state regulations, tax structures, and regional economic shifts across the Carolinas. The Transworld Advantage By combining the powerhouse data network of the world's largest business brokerage with a hands-on, compassionate local approach, Steve and Tina protect the legacy of North Carolina business owners. Every transaction uses blind marketing profiles and a strict buyer-qualification process to protect company culture, secure top-dollar valuations, and ensure a seamless closing table experience, allowing their team to outpace national averages with an extraordinary 96% historical closing ratio. Transworld Business Advisor was established in 1979 and is the largest business brokerage in the world with offices in 17 countries.

Aaron Tschetter brings a unique combination of entrepreneurial experience, business acumen, and hands-on transaction expertise to his work as a Business Broker with Transworld Business Advisors of Central North Carolina, a Presidential Award-Winning office. With years of experience negotiating business transactions and working directly with buyers and sellers, Aaron understands that successfully selling a business requires far more than putting a company on the market—it requires strategic positioning, financial insight, skilled negotiation, and the ability to navigate complex issues through closing. Aaron's perspective is shaped by his own experience as a business owner. He purchased his first business at age 28 and acquired a second business five years later, both without the guidance of a business broker. He later sold one of his own businesses and experienced firsthand the complexities, challenges, and pitfalls that can arise when navigating a business sale. Those experiences gave him a practical understanding of what business owners face when making one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives. Since entering business brokerage, Aaron has been involved in successfully negotiating and closing transactions across a broad range of industries and deal sizes. His experience includes working with Main Street businesses as well as more complex mergers and acquisitions involving strategic buyers, financial considerations, due diligence, financing, and deal structuring. He has developed a reputation for being persistent, analytical, and solutions-oriented, with a focus on keeping transactions moving while protecting his clients' interests. Aaron's business background allows him to look beyond the numbers and understand the story behind a company. He works closely with owners to identify the factors that drive value, address potential obstacles before they become deal issues, and position businesses to attract qualified buyers. During negotiations, he brings a practical understanding of buyer and seller motivations and works to find common ground that can turn challenging negotiations into successful transactions. His experience negotiating with business owners, buyers, lenders, attorneys, accountants, and other transaction professionals has given Aaron a broad perspective on what it takes to get a deal across the finish line. He understands that the best transactions are built on preparation, realistic expectations, strong communication, and disciplined negotiation. Whether representing a business owner preparing for an exit or helping a buyer evaluate an acquisition opportunity, Aaron's goal is to bring clarity to the process and help his clients make informed decisions. His firsthand experience as an entrepreneur, combined with years of business negotiations and transaction experience, gives him the ability to relate to business owners on a personal level while providing the strategic guidance needed to successfully navigate a business sale. Aaron believes that every successful transaction starts with understanding the business, understanding the people involved, and understanding what it will take to get the deal done.

Blake Hickman is a national award-winning business broker and M&A advisor with Transworld Business Advisors of Central North Carolina, serving business owners and buyers throughout Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, and the surrounding region. He has represented privately held companies across a range of industries and transaction sizes, helping owners navigate business valuation, confidential marketing, buyer qualification, negotiations, due diligence, financing, and closing. Recognized nationally for his performance, professionalism, and commitment to client service, Blake has experience representing businesses ranging from locally owned Main Street companies to multi-million-dollar enterprises. This broad transaction experience gives him valuable insight into the needs of business owners at different stages of growth and across a variety of market conditions. With a background in small business, education, and the nonprofit sector, Blake brings a relationship-first approach to every engagement. He understands that selling a business is often one of the most significant financial and personal decisions an owner will make. Known for honest counsel, realistic market guidance, responsive communication, and hands-on support, Blake works to protect confidentiality, position each business effectively, and help clients pursue fair, well-structured transactions. Outside of his professional work, Blake is a longtime husband and father of five who values faith, family, and serving his community. His goal is to combine strong deal execution with the care, integrity, and personal attention every business owner deserves.

Rally has forged relationships here in the Triangle for over 25 years. Prior to joining the Raleigh Transworld Business Advisors team, Rally served as a Chick-fil-A franchisee for over 22 years at 3 different locations. He graduated from The Citadel with a BS Biology degree and an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Before owning his own business, Rally held various industry positions with the USAF, NATO, MCI Telecommunications and IBM. Married for over 36 years to his high school sweetheart. Two adult children and a grandchild.

I am a relationship-focused Business Broker with Transworld Business Advisors of Central North Carolina, where I provide hands-on guidance to business owners looking to sell or transition their companies. I believe every successful transaction is built on trust, clear communication, and a thorough understanding of each owner's goals. Selling a business is both a financial and personal decision, and I am committed to helping clients navigate every step of the journey, whether they're planning for retirement, pursuing a new venture, or simply ready for their next chapter. Having been a business owner myself, I bring a practical, real-world perspective to the process. I understand the dedication it takes to build and operate a successful business, as well as the emotions that come with deciding it's time to sell. That experience allows me to connect with clients on a deeper level while providing honest guidance on business valuation, preparation, marketing, negotiations, and setting realistic expectations throughout the transaction. My approach is collaborative, organized, and transparent. I work closely with owners to prepare their business for market, present it confidentially to qualified buyers, manage inquiries, coordinate due diligence, and guide the transaction through closing. Throughout the process, I make communication a priority so clients always know where things stand and what to expect next. As part of Transworld Business Advisors, one of the world's largest business brokerage firms, I combine personalized, local service with the resources, marketing reach, buyer network, and proven systems of a respected international organization. This allows me to provide clients with the individualized attention they deserve while leveraging the strength and experience of a globally recognized brand. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my husband and spending time with our three adult children, often exploring coastal towns and discovering local restaurants, shops, and small businesses. Those experiences continually reinforce my appreciation for entrepreneurs and the passion it takes to build something meaningful. For me, business brokerage is about more than closing a transaction—it's about helping owners successfully transition from one chapter of life to the next while protecting the value they've worked so hard to create.

I can help you know the value of your business, plan your ideal exit, and list and sell your business when the time is right. I don't charge any upfront fees for my services. I only get paid if and when you list your business for sale and I get you to the closing table. How is that for an offer? To get started go to this address -> www.businessbrokerraleigh.net Then click on the orange button at the top of the page to get your free business valuation I can also be reached at mhall@tworld.com or 919-424-1927