One huge aspect of Schitt’s Creek that isn’t talked about nearly enough is the business side of the Rose family. Upon meeting the Roses, viewers were told that Moira was an actress and Johnny was a businessman who owned a franchise of video stores. When they lost everything in season one, the Roses were starting from scratch.
Throughout six seasons, Johnny, Moira, Alexis, and David, all did some soul-searching to find out what their career paths should be. While Moira stuck to acting, the rest of the family dug deep to find ways of growing their own businesses. And as is the case with any business, mistakes happen but the best way to overcome those mistakes is by getting up and trying again — just as the Roses did.
Tax Write-Offs
When David began working at the Blouse Barn, he was earning money and learning a lot about retail. But when Johnny noticed that David’s side of the motel room was decorated with lavish decorations, he found out that David had no idea how tax write-offs worked. David claimed all of the new decorations were a “write-off.”
Johnny asked him if he knew what that meant, and David told him that when he bought things the government or Blouse Barn would pay him back. He and his father got into little arguments about the topic of tax write-offs, and it’s safe to say that David learned a valuable lesson.
Always Negotiate & Never Backdown
Just as David was finding his stride at the Blouse Barn, Wendy told him that she was closing the business after a store in Australia with the same name gave her money to close shop. David didn’t think they should give up so quickly and went to his dad for business help.
Instead of giving in to the bigger brand, David and Alexis had a meeting with the competitor to negotiate a different arrangement. Instead of settling for the initial offer, David was able to get a lot more out of the company just by negotiating. This was a great example of how negotiations can work out for both parties.
Know How To Spin The Negatives
When Alexis created her own communications company under her own name, she took it seriously and studied hard at school. She also used a lot of her own instincts and personal scenarios to help her with jobs. Her mom was trying to get her acting career back on track, so Alexis became her publicist and helped her re-vamp her image. She also organized a premiere party for Moira‘s latest movie. As a nice gesture for the theme of the movie (crows), Alexis released real crows at the premiere to get viewers excited for what was to come.
However, Alexis' plans backfired and the crows started attacking those near the red carpet. The news spread like wildfire about this makeshift premiere of events and Moira‘s career was hanging by a thread. However, Alexis didn’t give up. She told media outlets that the crows attacking people was all a part of the plan and that those crows were trained. The spin on a negative turned Moira‘s career around and got Alexis noticed by big-time PR companies.
Create A Sense Of Community For Brand Awareness
When opening a business in a small town that focuses on local proprietors and community, it’s important to focus on those very things. David had a great idea by selling local goods in his store as a way to profit everyone in Schitt’s Creek, but he didn’t necessarily know how to reach a large audience on quiet days.
Patrick suggested an open mic night at Rose Apothecary as a way to mix and mingle with those in the community and hopefully make some sales. After the success of open mic night, business was better. David made good connections with farmers, especially Ted’s ex-girlfriend Heather, and he got out in the community to spread their brands.
Don't Always Trust Those Managing Your Money
Viewers learn at the start of Schitt’s Creek that Johnny left all of his financial matters in the hands of his business manager, Eli. But as it turned out, Eli wasn’t reliable and the family lost their millions.
As smart as Johnny is, if he paid more attention to what Eli was doing and how his businesses were doing, he and his family wouldn’t be in that position. Hiring a financial manager doesn’t always mean that things will run smoothly. And it’s safe to say that by season six, Johnny will most likely never hire a business manager again.
Money Isn't Everything
As amazing as high-end designers, mansions, and cars are, money isn’t everything. The Roses learned that life really began for them when they lost their millions. Without the distraction of money and everything that money buys, the Roses focused on their family, health, and their happiness. Without money, the Roses became a family again.
They missed the money of course, but there was a point in the series where the family was glad they lost everything as a way to reconnect and rebuild. For people like David and Alexis, they didn’t create their own businesses as a way to become wealthy. They created their own companies as a way to have something for themselves and to make their families proud.
Research Before Investing
Considering the amount of money that the Roses had prior to season one, it makes sense that they would buy something as silly as a town called Schitt's Creek. Johnny never expected him and his family to live in Schitt’s Creek, he simply bought the town for his son as a joke.
But after the Roses got to Schitt’s Creek, Roland proved that Johnny did not do his homework prior to buying the town. Roland told Johnny that the town was on the market for 20 years before Johnny bought it. When it comes to a large investment, it’s always important to do homework and make sure it’s the right move.
Business Credit Cards Still Need To Be Paid Off
David was in for a rude awakening when he started working for the Blouse Barn. Not only did he not realize what a tax write-off was, but he also didn’t realize how credit cards worked. In his eyes, credit cards were something a person used when they didn’t have cash (and didn't need to pay off). When Johnny made him realize that he would have to pay off the credit card at some point, David was thoroughly confused.
He figured because he already had the products he bought online, he didn’t have to pay the credit card for them. As a new business person in later seasons, it’s probably a good thing that Patrick became his business partner and helped him with things like credit cards.
Bet On Yourself
When Alexis graduated from college, she created her own company; Alexis Rose Communications. Under that company name, she became Moira‘s new publicist, ran the marketing for the Rosebud Motel, and searched for other ways to make money around the small town.
Ditching her own company and applying for a larger company in a city like New York was always an option, but Alexis stuck it out and created her own brand. In this instance, sometimes it’s best to bet on yourself.
Communication With Business Partners
Another great example that the Roses show is a good use of communication. It took Johnny and Stevie years to realize they should become business partners and run the Rosebud Motel together as a unit, and when that dream became a reality they were an unstoppable force. Johnny allowed Stevie to exercise her voice and ideas without shutting her out because of his years of prior business experiences.
They were truly a team. Likewise, David and Patrick were a great team at work when their communication synced. David wasn’t always the brightest or most forthcoming at work, but when he and Patrick spoke their thoughts open and honestly it made the business run smoother. As partners, the Roses didn’t leave Stevie or Patrick out to dry. They worked together for the betterment of their businesses.