Vito Dolci Sr. and Vito Dolci Jr.

FIVE STAR REAL ESTATE

Photo credit: Jacob Harr harrcreative.com

Name:

Vito Dolci Sr.

Brokerage:

Five Star Real Estate

How many years as a REALTOR®?

34 years

What awards have you achieved individually?

Several top sales awards

How many years have you been in business together?

21 years

What did you do before you became a REALTOR®?

I managed a bakery from 1972-1987. I was 17 years old still in high school. I increased the sales from$10,000 a year to $350,000 selling 25 cent donuts and 79 cent loaves of bread. In today’s money that would be $825,000 in sales. There were two delivery trucks on the road servicing restaurants and grocery stores. I had 20 employees and a 24-hour operation. In 1987 the bakery was sold. It was time to start a new career, my family always did a lot with commercial real estate, it was not much of an adjustment to go into real estate sales.

Did you always know, or hope, that one of your children would go into real estate given your success?

I believe and always knew that one, if not all three, of my children would be involved in some facet of the real estate industry. My son Vito worked with me through high school, through college and when he graduated from Grand Valley he obtained his real estate license. As my children were growing up I held no information back from them. I knew if they were going to be successful I had to be an open door. I made sure they knew what I did, how I did my business, sales, and how much money was earned, what I did with my money, what real estate investments I invested in, donations giving back to God. I let my children be part of the business decisions. This was not hard to do, this is how I was taught from my father.

What are some things you have learned from your son in regards to real estate?

My son Vito is amazing (takes after his mom). Working with him on a daily basis puts a smile on my face. He has shown me the benefits of using technology to our advantage. in 2008 newly licensed, the listings were 80% foreclosures. Vito comes up with the idea/design of a website GR Foreclosures where he pulls foreclosure homes then places the homes on our website. That first year we received 26,000 hits, AMAZING!

What are you passionate about right now together in your business?

Right now, not only are we interested in increasing our sales volume, we want to invest more into purchasing real estate, construction and rehab properties. We want to be part of what we sell.

What is your favorite part about working together in your business?

My favorite part about working together is the ability to see Vito on a daily basis. I like to listen to him when he is speaking to a customer or client. He is compassionate and concerned about the need of who he is speaking to. To me, that’s not a weakness it is a great strength. This is how a business is built, with compassion, concern and love for the people we serve.

What ways does your son encourage you most?

My son encourages me the most when he starts his day at the office at 7:00 am. He is always thinking how to serve our clients even better, streamlining systems already in place. He makes it exciting for our team and clients by setting up events to have fun. He has an incredible ability to lead a team.

What are you most proud of when you think of working together with your son?

Vito works his business diligently...From projects to transactions, and not letting go until the job is finished, I saw this tenacity in him as young as 5th grade when playing football.

In the spirit of Real Producers, what is something that not many people know about your family?

I’m a blessed man with a loving wife for over 41 years, with three beautiful children who have married three fantastic spouses and to be a grandfather to 12 wonderful grandchildren. On Sundays they come for pasta dinner. The house comes alive with food, activity and fun. It’s not uncommon to talk about real estate because that is our family business. Before my children and grandchildren were born I prayed for them. One of my favorite verses in the bible is Exodus 20:6, showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. In my daily prayer, I pray for my wife, my children, spouses, my grandchildren and the next thousand generations. For me, it is important my family knows and hears Jesus throughout their day. I remind God daily of his promise for my family, not because I think he may have forgotten because I want God to know I did not forget his words. I rise every morning with excitement to enjoy the real estate business and the people I will meet that day. God Bless

My son Vito is amazing (takes after his mom). Working with him on a daily basis puts a smile on my face. - Vito Dolci Sr.

He has an abundance of knowledge in the real estate industry. It’s always good to talk to him about situations that occur and he is able to provide knowledgeable discussions. - Vito Dolci Jr.

Name:

Vito Dolci Jr.

Brokerage:

Five Star Real Estate

How many years as a REALTOR®?

13 years

What awards have you achieved individually?

Five Star Top 20, GRAR top 50

How many years have you been in business together?

21 years

What did you do before you became a REALTOR®?

I worked in the real estate industry with my father throughout high school and college. I also worked with my brother in various rental investments and remodeling projects. After graduating from GVSU in 2007, I went full-time into real estate.

Did you always know you wanted to go into real estate given your dad’s career choice?

I always knew I would be involved with real estate in some way. As I went to GVSU for a business marketing degree, I realized I can apply those principles in becoming an agent.

What are some invaluable things you learned from your dad in regards to real estate?

My dad has an amazing relationship with his clients. He truly cares about knowing them on a personal level and looking out for their best interest. He has taught me that it’s more about the client then a sale. Maintaining the relationship is always the goal.

What work characteristics do you feel you’ve inherited from your dad?

Developing lasting relationships is something I have inherited from him. I would watch him talk for an hour with a client about nothing to do with real estate. Then finally, he would talk about writing the offer. He truly cares about his clients. He has the ability to develop relationships in everything he is involved with, including his church, judo, and other social gatherings.

What is your favorite part about working with your dad?

He has an abundance of knowledge in the real estate industry. It’s always good to talk to him about situations that occur and he is able to provide knowledgeable discussions.

What ways does your dad encourage you the most?

He encourages me to always grow and always develop. The system can always be improved and relationships can always grow stronger.

What are you most proud of when you think of working together with your dad?

Being able to help the kids of some of my dad’s past clients has always been a proud moment. It shows that family trusts both my father and me.

In lieu of Father’s Day, is there anything else you want others to know about your dad?

I think he is a great role model for anyone to look up to. He has a passion for developing relationships with others, he volunteers his time at his church, and prays with the sick. Also, when he was a kid he competed in Judo competitions and to this day he still goes to practice for Judo, however, I can take him.

Vito Dolci Sr. and Vito Dolci Jr. - Top Father/Son Team