For Dustin Parkman, most workdays move quickly and rarely go according to a set schedule.

As Vice President of NBI Properties, Inc., Parkman splits his time between Fort Walton Beach and Panama City Beach, moving between meetings, showings, client calls and prospecting while helping match commercial properties with buyers across the region.

• One project in particular is taking up plenty of his attention right now: the redevelopment of the Santa Rosa Mall property in Fort Walton Beach. As that project moves forward, Parkman is also juggling the everyday demands of commercial real estate, family life with two young children and a schedule he describes as “100mph.”

In this edition of How I Work, he shares what his days look like, why post hole diggers are one of his most important tools and the simple advice he’d give anyone entering the business.

Are you a life-long local, if not, where are you from originally and how did you end up in the area?

More or less. I wasn’t born here but I moved here in the early 90’s before Hurricane Opal. Destin Elementary, one of the first classes at Destin Middle. Split time between here and Dothan/Birmingham from high school and until about 2014 when I moved back full-time.

What’s your current job title and where do you work?

Vice President at NBI Properties, Inc.

What’s your morning routine?

I have every intention on starting my mornings at 6am but it just doesn’t happen so 7am it is. Help my wife as much as I can with getting the kids up and fed and out the door. I’m not always the most help in the mornings, probably get in the way more than anything, but I keep the energy high! Then I’ll jump into some emails. Clear some of them off, pick up anything that came in that night.

Then some kind of workout, it’s a must. I’m a walker so I’ll do a couple miles in the morning and I can knock out a few calls over that time. Those calls are normally active deals we have going on and I can knock those most important ones out before the day gets wild. I’ll try to squeeze some Hotworx in there if I have an extra few. On the days I’m not traveling for meetings I’ll get to the office about 10:00a and it’s 100mph as soon as I walk in.

Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.

Workdays lately have been unpredictable at best. Meetings, phone calls and emails nonstop. Because I split time between our Ft. Walton Beach and Panama City Beach offices I’m on the road a few days a week jumping around between showings and other meetings constantly. Those days are hectic. It’s go-go-go.

My office days are spent catching up on emails, paperwork, and higher level phone calls. Besides the typical real estate items to cover, the Santa Rosa Mall redevelopment is in high gear. We’re finalizing everything with the retail portion and hope to be able to announce our main anchor soon. A little bit of each day is committed to working on this project.

Another big daily item right now is just cold calling and prospecting. We have a major supply issue on the commercial side and we work daily to pair great properties to the right buyers we have.

What’s the first thing you do when you get to work (or start your workday)?

My day starts before the office, but once I get in we’re off and running. Rikki has been with me for about a year now and we download as soon as I get situated. It’s usually a coffee while we go over everything from the day before followed by what we have that day. She’s taking more and more off my plate and that’s been a huge help. Once we get through our huddle I’ll start making broader calls to clients with updates and from there we’re off and running.

What tools, apps, or gadgets can’t you live without?

In a world full of apps and gadgets, I would say my post hole diggers! Aside from a few, I’ve always put up my own signs and you can always find a pair in the back of my truck.

Apple or Android?

Apple. I’m not a maniac.

What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?

Americano from pretty much anywhere, or maybe a cortado. The coffee menus are overwhelming these days.

What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?

Ace’s Pub (formerly Boardroom), for sure. Our main office used to be right next door downtown so shooting over for a blackened chicken caesar was the easiest thing to do.

What’s one local business you love supporting?

One is tough. Local to Ft. Walton Beach I would say Opportunity Place where I sit on the Board of Directors. Phenomanal organization. Otherwise I love to see Matt and Morgan at Thick Cookie Co. We work pretty much exclusively with A World of Signs and order a mind-blowing amount of product so they’re pretty much on speed dial.

If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Keep your head down and stay the path. Don’t get detoured.

How do you unwind after a long day?

With a 4 and 1 year old there’s not much winding down after work. I’m never opposed to a glass of wine either.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I’m a reader. And we’re big art people in our house. We have a couple of great pieces from local artists like Justin Lyons and Justin Gaffrey. They have really great galleries out on 30A, highly recommend.

What’s your favorite local event or tradition?

Mardis Gras in St. Andrews, Panama City is a lot of fun.

What’s inspiring you right now (book, podcast, person, hobby)?

Seeing all the hardwork taking shape is pretty cool. It’s a reassurance that we’re on the right path. Another reason to keep going.

Early bird or night owl?

I’d say early(ish) bird.

Most used emoji?

The saluting emoji probably or the shrug emoji like “I don’t know what to tell you”

Music while working — yes or no? (and if yes, what’s on your playlist?)

Generally no.

Standing desk or sitting? Mix?

I’m a desk sitter but its never for very long at one time.

If you could give any advice for someone getting into the same field as you, what advice would you give?

This business is a marathon so be prepared.

Are you a member of the FWB Chamber of Commerce?

Yes I am a member.

The leadership and culture at the Chamber is what creates so much with the community at large. They do such a great job of getting everyone in different rooms, with people outside of your current network and really push you to broaden your network. They all are such a big component of the City and I am so glad to have them on our team!