Keen Polakoff

Keen studied business at San Diego State University. Entrepreneurism prevailed. He was nine when he opened his first business, an icy cup stand in Hawaii, and earned 'top producer' status in a publicly-traded company, traveling the U.S. and Canada as a national sales trainer and keynote speaker. The fundamental principles of service, quality communication, negotiation and solid action have guided him in his business ventures for decades since. Adventure has also been a cornerstone in his life. Keen first arrived at the Emerald Coast from California by bicycle in 1981 and then rode it back to California to return to school. More than 20 years later, he rediscovered the cost with his wife and business partner, Kim, calling it 'splendid.' They were married in 1999 at the Santa Rosa Beach Club. 'Our love of the coast and the great outdoors; passion for real estate; and, the joy of working with people and each other makes our life here such a pleasure,' he added. In 2007, as a freshly-minted Realtor, Keen began developing a new skill set with a national real estate auction firm. Within a few years, he and Kim joined Destin Real Estate Company, which later became Scenic Sotheby's International Realty. The culture of collaboration, professionalism and production their team has experienced with the company has been awe-inspiring: 'What we can now offer our clients is more than we ever knew possible,' he said. Keen enjoys volunteering with the Seagrove Garden Club, the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, Food For Thought and Seacrest Wolf Preserve and serving on the board of directors for Alaqua Animal Refuge.