Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Dokovic
Hi Dan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Sarajevo and lived there until I was ten. Then, when the war in former Yugoslavia began, my sister, mother, and I left Sarajevo to avoid the conflict. My father and grandfather, however, stayed behind. My father ended up being stuck in Sarajevo for five years, while we moved to Croatia—only to find ourselves in the middle of a new conflict there.
Growing up in Croatia had a significant impact on me. My grandfather was a farmer, and from the age of ten, I worked with him on the farm. That’s where my work ethic took root: waking up early, doing farm work all day, and going to bed late after everything was finished.
As I grew older, sports became a big part of my life. I initially played soccer and team handball, acting as the goalie because I could block shots thanks to my height. Eventually, a coach noticed me and suggested I switch to basketball. This led me to move at fifteen to a new city, Vinkovci, to join a professional basketball team. After two years there and another six months playing in Paris, I was scouted and invited to the U.S. to pursue basketball.
I arrived with just $150 and a duffel bag, but things didn’t go as planned due to recruiting rules that complicated my eligibility. After playing briefly in high school in Quincy, I faced further NCAA suspensions, and eventually, I decided to focus solely on academics and ended up graduating from Westminster.
After college, I moved to St. Louis and worked briefly in the mortgage industry, which wasn’t for me. I noticed a nearby sign for Colliers Turley Martin Tucker (now Cushman), called, and within a week, I was working there. I spent three years in corporate services, then joined Sansone Group in 2008, right as the recession hit, which reshaped my thinking. By 2010, I had the opportunity to start Intelica with Gary Parker and Dan Merlo. Since then, I’ve built a network of companies: Bamboo Equity Partners, Oakline Studio, Artori Group, and acquired McClain Construction.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a straight road by any means. From day one, facing the war changed everything for me. Moving to another country with little more than faith, a few dollars, and a duffel bag was one of the first big challenges. Then, coming to the U.S. added another layer of difficulty: navigating the immigration system. I was determined to build a life here and become a U.S. citizen, but the process was anything but straightforward.
Eventually, I settled in St. Louis, but that came with new challenges. I had no connections, no network to lean on. Starting a business from scratch and working to grow it required every bit of resilience and persistence I had. Overcoming these struggles taught me a lot about persistence, and I think each step along that road added something essential to my journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Artori Group?
Artori Group, founded by CEO Dan Dokovic, is a St. Louis-based shared-services company for real estate firms. Artori’s portfolio includes Bamboo Equity Partners, a real estate investment and advisory firm; Intelica, a brokerage and management company; Oakline Studio, specializing in architecture and interior design; and McClain Construction, a general contractor.
Dokovic established Intelica in 2010, followed by Bamboo in 2012 and Oakline in 2022. Artori Group itself was formed in May 2023 after acquiring McClain Construction, which had been a longstanding collaborator on numerous projects with Dokovic’s other firms.
“After decades of seeing clients scramble to find the vendors and resources they needed, I felt it was time to unite the best real estate companies and professionals under a shared service model,” said Dan Dokovic.
While each company within Artori Group is fully integrated, they operate independently and take on projects from outside the Artori network. Together, Artori companies offer a comprehensive range of services, including general contracting, construction management, and design-build solutions.
Artori Group’s affiliates enhance our negotiating power, enabling cost savings that we pass directly to our clients. We exclusively partner with top-tier service providers, ensuring clients receive consistent, high-quality support from any third-party partner.
With access to industry experts from diverse backgrounds and extensive experience, we deliver connections, insights, and professional expertise with ease. Our shared services model allows us to leverage collective knowledge and resources to support clients through every opportunity or challenge. One call to Artori Group opens the door to a full suite of real estate solutions.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Artori Group covers every aspect of real estate. So, if you have any questions or needs in real estate—from owning to managing, designing, or constructing—we’re here to help. We’re always open to sharing ideas and collaborating to support your vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artorigroup.com
