If you’re in need of a little new year’s inspiration, look no further than Melissa Lott. Though she’s living the industry high life as president and owner of one of Florida’s most sex-positive boutique franchises, Lott spent nearly 20 years cultivating her knowledge and business expertise. Lott is living proof that drive, determination and loyalty to one’s passion can still turn dreams into reality.
Melissa Lott’s back-story reads like every burgeoning sex toy sales associate’s dream. Lott humbly began on the floor of Rodao Drive, a popular adult boutique in St. Louis, Missouri. Lott’s sister convinced her to take on a part-time job over the summer of 1990, if only for the sheer novelty of the gig. Little did Lott know that this seemingly one-off, summer break activity would lead her down the path to business ownership almost two decades later.
Never let anyone stop or try to hold you back from achieving your goals.
After 10 years with Rodao Drive, eventually climbing the ranks to become the company’s operations manager, Lott moved to Florida to further hone her sales skills in the DVD sector. As adult video numbers began to tank, Lott looked back to sex toy retail to keep her afloat in her new home state. She landed with an Adam & Eve shop in St. Augustine, where Lott happily jumped back into pleasure retail like a Florida gator diving into the Everglades.
Lott once again raced up the career ladder. She was promoted to general manager of operations and helped then-franchise owner Ron Simpson open his third store in the state. Just one year after cutting the proverbial red ribbon on Simpson’s newest Adam & Eve, the store achieved status as No. 1 in sales across the entire U.S.
Lott’s success spread throughout the Florida business community, eventually attracting the attention of two entrepreneurial brothers who would offer Lott the opportunity of a lifetime. Melissa Lott is now the owner and president of Adam & Eve in East Palatka, Florida, an inland community in-between St. Augustine and the northern tip of the beautiful Ocala National Forest.
According to Lott, the retail floor experience has always been the glue that’s kept her grounded to this career. Lott has a passion for sexual health and customer service, both of which she imbues into every day spent with her staff and consumers. Her personality, a mix of down-to-earth Midwestern charm and tell-it-like-it-is, boss babe attitude, has won Lott a pleasure industry family of loved wholesale colleagues and regular shop visitors alike.
Now it’s Melissa Lott’s turn in the spotlight, as she regales the stories and friendships that have built her into a businesswoman worthy of XBIZ’s Women in Adult title.
XBIZ: After two full decades in pleasure retail, can you still recall your earliest days on the sales floor?
Melissa Lott: I got my first job in the industry the summer of 1990 with Jerry Brink at Rodao Drive in St. Louis. My sister at the time was working there and talked me into taking the job part time to "get me out of the house." She then quit within a couple of days of me starting.
XBIZ: What aspects of pleasure industry work immediately sealed the deal for you and inspired you to make this your career?
Lott: 110% because of the customers and the ability to help them have a more fulfilling life in many aspects. The opportunity to help them address issues and talk openly and positively about sex, educating and helping them to have positive experiences.
XBIZ: What do you love most about working on the retail end?
Lott: In addition to the customers as I mentioned before, I truly enjoy keeping up with the trends and latest products. I also love the wonderful relationships I have built within the industry and among my peers.
XBIZ: You’re now the owner and president of the Adam & Eve shop in East Palatka, Florida, which is a huge achievement. How did you make the climb from where you began to eventually owning your own brick-and-mortar shop?
Lott: After spending over a decade with Jerry Brink in St. Louis, going from a one day a week position to taking over as his full-time operations manager, I moved to Orlando, Florida briefly to take a position in DVD sales. When DVD sales began to decline and I realized how much I missed the retail side of the business I took a position in St. Augustine as a sales associate for Ron Simpson with Adam & Eve. I quickly climbed the ladder to become his GM of operations and opened his third location. In the first year of opening that store we achieved No. 1 Adam & Eve franchise in the country. It was a huge accomplishment and inspiration to achieve more.
Ron’s passing was extremely difficult. I truly looked up to him for guidance and as a role model in the industry. I would like to thank Karen and Scott Simpson for their continued support and faith in me to manage the businesses after his passing until my departure. Ron had inspired me and continues to inspire me, which was part of the push for me to have my own franchise.
When approached by Gene and Steve Fox, brothers who are entrepreneurs in South Florida, with an interest in the Adam & Eve franchise I jumped at the opportunity to fulfill my dream. I am greatly appreciative of them for the opportunity and proud of what we have accomplished in this first two years.
XBIZ: Which industry figures deserve a shout-out for helping you achieve your career goals?
Lott: In addition to all of those I have previously mentioned I would also like to thank Bob Christian, Larry Garland, Elliot Schwartz, Scott Watkins and Lisa Hanna just to name a few whom I look up to, am inspired by and have tremendous respect for.
XBIZ: What advice would you give to future generations of women who aspire to become pleasure industry boss babes?
Lott: Never let anyone stop you or try and hold you back from achieving your goals. Hard work and dedication truly do pay off in the end.
XBIZ: What’s keeping you excited for the future of your business in 2020?
Lott: I am excited and look forward to growing our business as well as other potential ventures in the industry.
Each month, industry news media organization XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives.
