Claudia Castro

Aaron Pfeffer is a seasoned Business Broker and licensed California Broker (Lic #01781265) with Iconic in Los Angeles, specializing in small business and lower middle-market transactions up to $50 Million in value. With over 20 years of experience negotiating complex deals, Aaron brings more than just a license to the table — he brings lived experience, sharp financial insight, and a true understanding of what it means to own and operate a business. A graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with a degree in Marketing, Aaron began his professional journey working for top-tier entertainment brands including Creative Artists Agency and Walt Disney Studios. But it was in the world of real estate, lending, and eventually business brokerage where he discovered his true passion: helping entrepreneurs navigate high-stakes transactions with confidence and clarity. Aaron’s clients value him not only for his deal-making instincts and extensive buyer network, but also for his genuine understanding of the emotional and strategic challenges involved in selling a business. Having owned multiple businesses himself, Aaron knows the grind, the risks, and the relentless drive it takes to build something — and what it takes to exit successfully. Whether you're preparing for a sale, searching for the right acquisition, or simply need guidance on valuation and strategy, Aaron is the confidant business owners turn to when it's time to make a move that matters.

Claudia guides business owners across many industries on transactions from $50,000 to $25M. With early experience in advertising sales in the early 90's, she later earned her California real estate license in 2004 and built an expertise in originating loans, investing in real estate syndications, and acquired a broad understanding in financing. Since 2021, she has focused her career solely on business sales. A California licensed Broker (License # 01425889), she is known for being sincere, steady, and fully invested in her clients’ success.

My background started in international business, handling procurement for one of the largest wholesaling companies in Vietnam, GALI VN. Since then I've started and exited two companies of my own, a social media business and a lead generation business, and spent the last five years as a business broker with Liberty Business Advisors of San Francisco, Inc., and now an M&A advisor with ICONIC. My team and I validate and enhance your asset's value through rigorous market research and strategic positioning. We operate throughout California, and through ICONIC our reach now extends nationwide. I'm a licensed real estate professional, born in Berkeley and based in Walnut Creek.

Robert Cunio, CBB,CBI, MBA Sr Business Broker and Advisor at Iconic Business Technologies, Inc Proven skills to benefit any organization that may be interested in selling or buying a business and/or commercial real estate, franchise opportunities or mergers & acquisitions. Robert Cunio is an accomplished Senior Executive and Entrepreneur with more than 30 years of success across various industries including business brokerage and commercial real estate. Leveraging extensive experience buying, selling, and franchising businesses, he is a valuable asset for companies looking to grow. His broad areas of expertise include marketing and sales, mergers and acquisitons, divestitures, due diligence, franchise development, commercial real estate and strategic integration. Throughout his executive career, Robert has held leadership positions at companies including Transworld Business Advisors of San Diego Central, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Space Gateway, LLC. He is highly successful at bringing buyers and sellers together for mutually beneficial opportunities. Robert holds a BS in Business Administration from Salem State University and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Bentley University. Robert is also a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and Certified Business Broker (CBB), having successfully completed extensive training, coursework and examinations through the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB). He has also completed courses in Financial Management and Global Strategic Leadership from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School, Leadership Development from University of Virginia’s Darden Business School, and Northrop Grumman’s Global Business Executive Program. See a complete biography and more about me at https://leadafi.com/executive-biography/robert-cunio-strategic-leadership-for-businesses-ready-to-grow-evolve-and-excel/

Cyrus & Emilia Inc., doing business as CE Corporation, is a fully licensed brokerage operating in California and Nevada, providing a comprehensive suite of commercial real estate and advisory services. The firm specializes in investment property sales, leasing, and tenant representation, delivering strategic guidance tailored to each client’s objectives. In addition, CE Corporation offers M&A advisory and business brokerage services, supporting clients through the acquisition and disposition of businesses across a range of industries. Complementing its brokerage platform, the firm is also licensed to arrange commercial mortgage financing, assisting clients with both acquisition and refinance transactions for commercial properties. With a relationship-driven approach and a focus on execution, CE Corporation is committed to delivering value across every stage of the investment lifecycle.

Dmytro Shkola, a Ukrainian business owner with a background in management, marketing, and administration. Dmytro brings a successful track record in founding and operating businesses across e-commerce, finance, and services industries. As a business broker at Iconic, Dmytro employs a strategic, data-driven approach to facilitate a seamless process for business owners in the sale of their companies. Beyond Iconic, he plays a key role in business administration at a Fortune 50 technology company, supporting multiple executives and their teams globally. Dmytro's broader mission centers on fostering innovation in small businesses and helping buyers unlock their potential through business ownership; promoting the thriving spirit of free enterprise! Contact Dmytro if you're considering selling your business. Dmytro Shkola +1 (206) 823-6723 dmytro.shkola@iconic.co

Ryan Drake-Lee has over 20 years of business and corporate strategy experience. Ryan developed his business and economics perspectives in various roles including management consulting, industrial manufacturing corporate strategy with a focus on sales & marketing, digital program management in the adtech ecosystem and litigation support consulting for complex Anti-Trust and Competition economic matters. As an Engagement Manager for McKinsey & Company Ryan served multiple Consumer Packaged Goods clients in Product Strategy as well as Frontline Operations, with a focus on store operations for efficiency and maximizing value per square foot. Ryan has also served Telecommunications companies with a focus on Sales & Marketing in developing the first ‘triple play’ bundles and pioneered the Customer Lifetime Value (i.e., CLTV) concepts for customer valuation. Ryan also served clients in the Oil & Gas industry on Organizational Design and Structuring with a focus on operational risk and safety following a major environmental disaster in 2005. Additionally, Ryan refined his executive business acumen as a Global Program Manager at Google, where he worked in a Strategy & Operations function in the mid-market Ads business of Google Customer Solutions, working cross-functionally globally to drive innovative Go-to-Market strategies for Google Sales Teams. In addition to the above, Ryan has multiple years of experience as a Principal at Keystone Strategy, leading teams of Litigation Support consultants working at the direction of PhD level expert witnesses, at the request of external counsel on behalf of end clients pursuing litigation in Anti-Trust & Competition, complex Tax & Valuation, Intellectual Property and General Litigation matters. Ryan earned Bachelors’ Degrees in both Economics and French Language from Morehouse College. Ryan holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California at Berkeley, Haas School of Business. Lastly, Ryan has traveled to over 45 countries, touching all continents except for Antarctica, which has deeply influenced his global perspectives on businesses and people. Ryan was born and raised in San Francisco, California, where he resides with his family.

As a Senior M&A Advisor at ICONIC, I advise business owners, investors, family offices, and acquisition groups on middle-market and larger M&A transactions across a broad range of industries. With more than 30 years of experience in business development, corporate strategy, and transaction advisory, I provide strategic guidance throughout the entire deal lifecycle—from valuation and preparation through negotiation and closing. While my practice is primarily focused on transactions in the United States and Canada, I also advise clients on opportunities throughout Latin America and Europe. My experience working across multiple markets and jurisdictions enables me to effectively support both domestic and cross-border transactions. As a bilingual advisor fluent in English and Spanish, with professional working proficiency in Portuguese, I am able to communicate effectively with business owners, investors, lenders, and transaction partners across the Americas and international markets. A key differentiator is my ability to develop sophisticated financial models and transaction analyses in-house. This allows sellers to present a compelling, data-driven investment thesis, clearly articulate value drivers, and support premium valuations. For buyers, it provides deeper acquisition underwriting, cash flow analysis, scenario modeling, and due diligence support to facilitate informed investment decisions. I work closely with sellers to maximize enterprise value, optimize transaction structures, and execute disciplined exit strategies. For buyers, I help identify, evaluate, and acquire high-quality businesses through rigorous financial analysis, risk assessment, and value-creation planning. Supported by ICONIC's technology-enabled platform and extensive transaction resources, I deliver a combination of strategic insight, financial sophistication, and execution expertise designed to help clients achieve successful outcomes in complex M&A transactions across North America, Latin America, and Europe.

David J. Malyar is a Lower Middle Market M&A Advisor specializing in business sales, valuations, exit planning, and mergers & acquisitions for privately held companies. He works closely with business owners to understand the value of their business, identify opportunities to increase marketability, and develop strategies for a successful transition. His focus is on helping owners navigate the complexities of selling a business while maintaining confidentiality and maximizing value. David advises companies across a variety of industries and leverages a nationwide network of buyers, investors, and strategic acquirers to create competitive opportunities for his clients. Whether exploring an exit today or planning for the future, David is committed to providing professional guidance, clear communication, and a disciplined transaction process from valuation through closing.