Karen Garza

Karen G. Garza is a Business Broker with Transworld Business Advisors of South & West Texas, where she helps entrepreneurs and business owners navigate the complexities of buying and selling businesses. With more than ten years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, and entrepreneurship, she brings a strong financial foundation and practical business insight to every transaction. Karen holds a BBA in Accounting from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Her professional experience includes serving as an Internal Revenue Agent with the IRS, where she conducted audits of individuals, corporations, and small businesses. She has also worked as a staff auditor, financial analyst, and seasonal tax preparer. Beyond her corporate background, she is the founder of Sweet Stay LLC, a successful property management and short-term rental company that she built from the ground up, giving her firsthand knowledge of small business ownership. Having grown up in a family-run convenience store and later managing her own rental business in Texas, Karen understands the challenges, risks, and rewards that come with entrepreneurship. She combines her financial expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to integrity to help clients maximize the value of their businesses and achieve their goals. Karen’s philosophy as a business broker centers on transparency, professionalism, and relationship building. She is passionate about guiding clients through one of the most important decisions of their lives and ensuring they are supported every step of the way

Vanessa is a visionary real estate developer and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience transforming ideas into thriving residential and commercial communities across Texas. As the Founder and CEO of Kudu Investments, she has led numerous high-value projects, combining strategic insight, cutting-edge design, and deep market knowledge to deliver lasting results. Her expertise spans land acquisition, zoning and permitting, construction management, production, and investor relations. Under her leadership, Kudu Investments has built a reputation for exceptional quality and long-term value while contributing to the economic vitality of the regions it serves. She also develops RV parks from the ground up and manufactures tiny homes, including light-gauge steel structures ranging from apartments to small homes—fast-growing segments in the housing and travel industries. Vanessa is known not only for her business acumen but also for her passion for sustainable development and community enrichment. She believes great real estate is about more than buildings—it’s about creating places where people love to live, work, and grow. Outside of her professional life, Vanessa enjoys being a first-time grandmother, spending time with her husband and three grown sons, mentoring emerging developers, exploring new architectural styles, and giving back through local nonprofit partnerships, including service in orphanages around the world.

Stevan Perez is a Senior Business Advisor in the South & West Texas office with over 12 years of experience in Business Consulting. Stevan has been a resident of McAllen, Texas for over a decade. He has established deep roots in the community and maintains a significant presence there. He is a versatile professional with a remarkable track record in managing businesses and expertise in marketing and advertising. Throughout Stevan’s career, he has navigated various financial scenarios. Additionally, he is a certified digital marketing expert, having successfully assisted businesses in the past ranging from major banks to local small businesses. His marketing efforts contributed undeniable results, increasing revenues exponentially. Leveraging his strengths, Stevan can effectively promote his clients' listings and drive sales. Stevan possesses the expertise to optimize the sale of your business. In addition to analyzing financial statements, he is skilled in forecasting future business earnings and enhancing the attractiveness of your business to potential buyers. He excels as a skilled negotiator, comprehending the intricacies of sales philosophy and body language, effectively leveraging every aspect of buyer interactions to drive successful outcomes. Stevan believes that genuine communication with both buyers and sellers is essential for ensuring seamless transactions. Guided by this philosophy, his clients can anticipate honesty and integrity in every deal. Stevan is a professor at his local community college (South Texas College), where he instructs organizational leadership studies. He believes that contributing to his community is vital for fostering a more robust presence and aiding in its growth. Additionally, he volunteers as a coach for the Upward organization, a Christian-based basketball program. In this role, he coaches 1st and 2nd graders, leading the Cheetahs team, which currently holds the third-place position. Stevan holds an undergraduate degree in Organizational Leadership and an MBA in finance with a specialization in financial planning from the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley.

When a company owner needs to sell their business, they can't just stick a for sale sign in the window. They need the assistance of a business broker to locate and vet potential buyers. On the other side, buyers rely on the broker to help facilitate the process of evaluating potential businesses and franchises for sale. A Transworld Business Advisor is the solution for both scenarios. Transworld Business Advisors focuses on three core concepts: business brokerage, franchise consulting, and franchise development.

James began his entrepreneurial journey at seventeen as the owner of a small skate shop. Though his first venture was short-lived, the experience sparked a lifelong interest in business ownership and taught valuable lessons that shaped his career. He went on to spend fifteen years in the service industry, managing successful food and entertainment operations in Amarillo, Dallas, and Las Vegas. In 2015, James transitioned into real estate as both an agent and investor, guiding clients through every stage of buying and selling. He advised sellers on effective marketing strategies, educated buyers on market trends and financing options, and developed strong working relationships with real estate attorneys, contractors, inspectors, lenders, and title companies. By 2017, James had launched a property group that partnered with lenders and investors to acquire, remodel, and resell underperforming properties. Through these experiences, he refined his skills in negotiation, communication, and strategic problem-solving—qualities that now define his work as a Business Broker with Transworld Business Advisors. James is dedicated to helping business owners and buyers achieve smooth, profitable, and stress-free transactions through professionalism, persistence, and attention to detail.

Tanner brings 18 years of accounting and finance experience to business brokerage, with a background spanning commercial real estate, banking, biomedical manufacturing, and retail. Before entering brokerage, he co-founded Rebus Capital LLC and Stag Capital Companies LLC, private investment firms with acquisitions across multifamily, industrial, office, self-storage, and oil & gas. Tanner helped raise over $30 million in equity and grow the firms to more than $100 million in AUM. As a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and Certified M&A Professional (CM&AP), Tanner pairs deep financial expertise with the patience to listen — building strategies that fit the seller, not just the transaction. A lifelong Lubbock resident and Abilene Christian University finance graduate, Tanner has served the Texas Girls & Boys Ranch and Lubbock Apartment Association as a board member, and Lubbock's Planning and Zoning Commission as a Commissioner. He and his wife are raising four daughters.

Jon Gaylord, Senior Business Broker with Transworld Business Advisors, brings a dynamic and innovative approach to business transactions, rooted in 28 years of manufacturing and small business ownership experience. Known for driving growth and operational success Jon has excelled in roles such as President, Vice President/General Manager, and Managing Member, with complete P&L responsibilities for multiple businesses with annual revenues exceeding $30 million. With a robust background in personal care services, plastics manufacturing, and consulting, Jon understands the complexities of navigating the business market. A hands-on leader skilled in assembling cross-functional teams, Jon brings analytical prowess and clear communication to guide clients through mergers, acquisitions, and ownership transitions. A successful small business owner, Jon has launched multiple ventures from the ground up, demonstrating a keen eye for value creation, strategic growth, and operational excellence. Jon combines industry knowledge with a client-centered approach, helping clients maximize business value by blending financial insights with each business's unique strengths. He understands the importance of building strong, lasting connections. By offering transparent guidance and educating buyers and sellers on successful deal-making, he is committed to helping clients achieve collaborative solutions that align with their business goals. Jon is located in El Paso, Texas, he is a father, grandfather and a dedicated golfer and Jeep enthusiast. Jon also coaches youth baseball.