Our Professionals
Who We Are:
Gateway School Sales is a leading DFW business brokerage firm serving owners of education-based businesses in North Texas. Based in Carrollton, Texas, our company strives to guide business owners through the process of ownership transition. Our brokers have a combined experience of over 40 years selling schools. Our highly trusted brokers are masters in converting a business owner’s hard earned business equity into cash, while also helping buyers realize their dream of becoming independent business owners. Gateway School Sales specializes in selling preschools, private primary schools, Academies, Montessori schools, accredited schools, and other education centers.
Scott Perry — Managing Partner, CBI, BCB, LREB
Scott Perry is a Managing Partner of Gateway Mergers & Acquisitions, LLC. Scott has 20 years’ experience selling businesses in the manufacturing, distribution, childcare, food service and many other business segments. He writes and speaks frequently on topics important to business owners and teaches classes about buying and selling businesses. With these experiences, Scott is a great asset in helping entrepreneurs sell or buy a business successfully. He is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), a designation awarded by the International Business Brokers Association, a Licensed Real Estate Broker (LREB) with the Texas Real Estate Commission, and a Board Certified Broker (BCB), a designation awarded by the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Scott holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Tarleton State University. Scott has gained extensive experience in sales, marketing, advertising, finance, and business management. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking, flying, beekeeping, gardening, and dancing with his beautiful wife, Margaret.
Michelle Dunn — Managing Partner, M&AMI, CBI, BCB, LREA
Michelle Dunn is a Managing Partner of Gateway Mergers and Acquisitions, LLC and has a passion for bringing business owners and business buyers together in order to transition the legacy of one person’s success into “The American Dream Come True” for another. As a successful business broker since 1999, Michelle brings to the table a trifecta of skills: entrepreneurship, purposeful listening, and problem solving. These skills remove the obstacles between the parties navigating towards a successful transaction. Her knowledge and skills have brought together hundreds of buyers and sellers over the years promoting economic growth in the area. Michelle is one of only 9 people in the State of Texas recognized as a Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary. She is also a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI); a Board Certified Broker (BCB) and a Licensed Real Estate Agent (LREA). Michelle consistently delivers the highest level of professionalism and knowledge to our clients. Her mastery of the sales process minimizes the time and stress typically experienced in negotiating the transfer of ownership of privately-held businesses. Michelle is actively involved in the community as a Girl Scout Leader, board member of the PTA, and active with high school booster clubs; but her husband, Brodie, and their daughter are the joys of her life
Cheryl Hayes — Business Broker, LREA
Cheryl Hayes is a Business Intermediary with 21 years of entrepreneurial experience. She began her career in early childhood education. Cheryl has enjoyed success managing and overseeing 5 large schools culminating in owning her own center in Collin County. In 2008, she sold her center after increasing the profits by 80%. Cheryl now leverages her experience to assist others in making the important decision to sell their school. Through her professional career as a business intermediary she has shared her unique knowledge with North Texas school owners and buyers. Cheryl is a highly motivated individual with a passion for exceeding customer expectations. She graduated from McCombs business school at the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing and finance. In her free time, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her children, playing soccer, volleyball, dirt-bike riding, and gardening.
Margaret Perry — Business Broker, CBI, LREA
Margaret Perry is a Licensed Real Estate Agent (LREA) with the Texas Real Estate Commission and a member of the Texas Association of Business Brokers. She is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), a designation awarded by the International Business Brokers Association. She has over 27 years of business management and marketing experience. Margaret has training and experience in business valuations, legal and financial aspects of selling businesses and transaction management. Margaret graduated from at the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism with a focus in Advertising. Margaret has volunteered her time in the Boy Scouts organization and her church nursery for many years. She continues to enjoy gardening, canning, and beekeeping as well as dancing. Her upbringing in a large family has afforded her the ability to be skilled at compromise and being a team player. She has a genuine desire to help business owners navigate their options for a successful exit strategy.