Do You Recognize Today’s FACES of Memphis?
Downtown residents and visitors may recognize these smiling FACES! Mother-daughter duo Carol and Amanda Lott have found a fun way to build awareness for their businesses by advertising on the vintage trolleys that run through downtown Memphis.
Downtown residents and visitors may recognize these smiling FACES! Mother-daughter duo Carol and Amanda Lott have found a stellar (and fun!) way to build brand awareness for their two businesses by advertising on downtown’s vintage trolleys. The green trolley features The Lott Team; for 13 years, they’ve been one of the top five real estate teams with Crye-Leike. The red trolley promotes their latest joint endeavor, Shred415 at Peabody Place, a fitness studio they purchased in April.
For Carol, a real estate veteran of 36 years, the need to have a place nearby to exercise was a no-brainer. “At my age, you need to stay strong enough to get up if you fall when no one’s around,” the downtown resident says. “And being too far away is one of the main excuses I use for not working out.” For Amanda, the need goes deeper — exercise is essential to maintaining her sobriety. Meet our latest FACES of Memphis, the open-hearted and dynamic Carol and Amanda Lott!
What was the inspiration behind advertising on the trolleys?
Carol: I advertised on the trolleys years ago when I owned Re/Max on the River. It was a novelty, and people liked it. We don’t have billboards downtown, so it is kind of a rolling billboard. Plus, it gives a great bang for your buck!
Amanda: We’ve done the real estate trolley for four years. Of course, the market has been crazy during that time, so I can’t say with certainty that the trolleys are the reason why we’ve done so much business downtown. But it certainly hasn’t hurt!
Carol: I think it has helped. It’s reinforcement — people see us, they know us. For Shred415, we felt like we had to do it. It was amazing how many people had no idea that Shred415 was downtown.
That leads to our next question: with a full-time real estate business, why purchase a fitness studio?
Amanda: The downtown Shred415 opened in March 2020 — really unfortunate timing. Two weeks later, shutdown restrictions began. No real marketing efforts were done. Even once we were able to start working out again regularly, no advertising was done whatsoever. It was running pretty much on auto-pilot.
Carol: Amanda and I loved working out at Shred. When we heard a rumor it might close, we couldn’t let that happen. Amanda can elaborate more about how Shred415 and working out, in general, helped her.
Amanda: My mental health has always been a struggle. It took me a long time to figure out the best way to manage it. I did determine the best way is NOT self-medicating through alcohol, substances, or excessive medication. I have been sober now for over four years. At the beginning of sobriety, I needed something to do on the weekends to keep my mind occupied. I was working out at another gym at the time, and it offered weekend classes. It just became a good habit.
Working out at Shred415 is something I look forward to. It clears my head and boosts my endorphins. I couldn’t imagine not having that within walking distance of my house. In my mind, the logical thought was to buy it. That sounds crazy, but Shred415 Peabody Place has an amazing staff. We have a great manager and lead trainer in place to support the studio and us and an amazing staff that stuck with us through the transition.
What are your roles in running Shred415?
Carol: Amanda does the lion’s share of the work.
Amanda: I do all the social media, Facebook and Instagram. I am creative, but I never got the creative juice going with real estate marketing. My peers in that industry post reels and funny commentaries about inspections. For some reason, I just never got that. But with the studio, I’m like, “Take your shirt off; I’m going to pour champagne and orange juice on your head, stuff your mouth with donuts, and make a video.” That got around 6,000 views, by the way.
Switching gears, tell us about your real estate career. When did you start in the business?
Carol: I passed my real estate licensing test when I was nine months pregnant. We’ve been selling real estate all of Amanda’s life.
Amanda: I graduated college and passed my real estate exam in August 2008. I’ve grown up in the business, and it made sense, considering Mom had built a great reputation for herself already.
When did you know the time was right to work together?
Carol: Amanda was finishing college. The only discussion we ever had while she was growing up was that she had to get a degree in something — anything — just in case real estate wasn’t for her.
Amanda: I am still surprised sometimes that we still like each other and get along 13 years later and now own a second business together. We both know how lucky we are to have the relationship we do and the opportunity to work with each other.
What do you enjoy most about working in real estate?
Carol: We truly do help people realize the American dream. On a personal note, I like that every day and each transaction is different.
Amanda: She’s right. Our days are always different. And it is a really big deal, buying or selling a house, whether for personal or investment [purposes]. We love being a part of it!
What do you love most about working together?
Carol: We can say pretty much whatever is on our mind, and neither of us will take offense. We don’t have to dress up or put on makeup unless we are seeing customers.
Amanda: We are nothing if not honest with each other (and our clients and customers). I do love all Mom’s knowledge of the industry. She’s had a lot of leadership positions in real estate associations on local, state, and national levels. I am following in [her footsteps] a lot earlier, so the trajectory is high and fast. It’s amazing to bounce ideas around with her and have her support me in everything I do.
When you are not working, where can we find you?
Carol: At my condo, binge-watching something. The gym. Traveling the world.
Amanda: On my couch, trying to make myself not work. We’re slightly Type A and overachievers, so stopping is hard.
What’s your best piece of advice?
Carol: Life really is short. Always ask, “What is the worst thing that can happen?”
Amanda: Don’t not do something based on fear of failure. If you fail, the odds are you can recover, and you will 100% learn from it.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, what are three things you can’t live without?
Carol: Coffee, pasta or Mexican food, and texting.
Amanda: My phone (specifically the calendar), my morning shake from South Main Nutrition, and Maciel’s. We like food.
Thank you, Carol and Amanda! All photography provided unless otherwise noted.
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Visit our FACES archives to meet more inspiring women from Memphis and across the South.
Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.