• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

PlanningShop

Plan. Start. Grow.

  • Our Products
  • Instructors
  • Entrepreneurs
  • BizGear
  • Rhonda’s Blog
  • Book Rhonda
  • About PlanningShop
  • Search
  • Our Products
  • Instructors
  • Entrepreneurs
  • BizGear
  • Rhonda’s Blog
  • Book Rhonda
  • About PlanningShop
  • Search
TV Small Business Owner

Who’s Got the Best Small Business on TV?

March 4, 2016 //  by Rhonda Abrams

Small business is the second most admired institution in America, yet it’s rare to see small business owners on television. Cops? Sure. Dysfunctional families? Plenty. Even aliens. Small business owners? Not so many.

But if you look hard enough, you’ll find a few fun entrepreneurs when you kick back with some popcorn and turn on the tube.

Through social media, I asked small business owners to share their favorite TV small business characters. Many responded with sentiments along the lines of “Who has time for TV when you own a business?”

But others suggested some admirable, or at least entertaining, small business characters on TV:

Panelists, Shark Tank: This show, in which aspiring entrepreneurs pitch products to a panel of investors, was by far the most popular. I’ve met two entrepreneurs who’ve succeeded on Shark Tank, and they’ve told me that the pitching process actually takes many hours of being grilled by the panel, who ask probing and constructive questions.

The Simpsons: If you’ve ever wanted to see a “niche” business in action, then Suzanne Robertson suggests checking out “The Leftorium” on The Simpsons. But, like many small businesses, The Leftorium faces stiff competition from a big box retailer: The Southpaw Superstore.

Chip and Joanna Gaines, FixerUpper: Debra Weaver loves the show, partially because it actually drives traffic and sales to her shop, Vintage Now Modern in Greenville SC. Weaver stocks items to mimic the look fans see on the show.

Phil Dunfy, Modern Family: Phil’s my personal favorite. A real estate agent, Phil’s always hustling. He tries all kinds of marketing: signs on bus stops, free seminars, an ad on the side of his van. He holds lots of open houses and courts divorced women who could become his customers. Go Phil.

Jay Pritchett, Modern Family: Jay is a tough, old-school entrepreneur, who built a successful closet company, fighting off tough competitors like “Closets, Closets, Closets.”  He’s had to deal with a new generation of customers, wanting innovations. And now Jay’s facing a situation facing many real-life entrepreneurs: how to transition his company to the next generation.

Stuart, The Big Bang Theory: Daniel Henn feels bad for Stuart, the comic book store owner, and he hopes someone will come up with a better marketing plan for him.

Michael Kyle, My Wife and Kids: Reader Hernandez Carlos misses the Damon Wayans truck driving company owner on this comedy. He was funny and taught his kids some important life lessons.

Alicia Florek and colleagues, The Good Wife: It’s rare to see a TV law firm treated like a small business, but this show does. They deal with retaining clients, bankruptcies, leases, employee revolts, partnership fights. And the firm’s top lawyer, Diane Lockhart, is one tough cookie and good businesswoman.

Nick Miller and Schmidt, New Girl: Nick had worked in a bar and knew the business. But as in real life, the people who know how to run a business often don’t have money to buy it. That’s where Schmidt comes in, bringing in cash as a silent partner. But, as in real life, silent partners often aren’t silent.

Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock: Yes, detectives can be small business people too. The classic mystery tale has a modern twist in this PBS version. Reader “P2B Investor” points out that  business picked up for Holmes after his sidekick, Dr. John Watson, started a blog.

Tom Haverford, Parks and Recreation: Tom tries one business after another while still keeping his day job at the Pawnee Department of Parks and Recreation. He has failure, success, failure, success. Just like many entrepreneurs.

Mrs. Patmore, Downton Abbey: Who knew that long-suffering cook Mrs. Patmore had an entrepreneurial streak? She’s opening her own bed-and-breakfast, foreshadowing the rise of small business and the middle class in the 20th century. Soon, there will be many more Mrs. Patmores in England and America.

Sex and the City: Public Relations hotshot Samantha was tough and clever and hard-working. It was believable that she was so successful. But Carrie? A newspaper columnist who could afford a closet full of Jimmy Choo and Christian Laboutin shoes? Never!

Who’s your favorite small business character on TV? Share with me on Facebook.


Copyright, Rhonda Abrams, 2016

This article originally ran in USA Today on March 4, 2016

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Category: Solution Center, USA TodayTag: character, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, popcorn, rhonda abrams, small business, small business owner, success, TV

Previous Post: «Knock-em-dead Presentation Lean Startup: Five Things Your Students Need to Know Now
Next Post: Women’s Business Success Is Nothing New Women's Business Success»

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Rhonda's Blog via Email

Instagram @rhondaabrams

Sign up for my newsletter - get small business tip Sign up for my newsletter - get small business tips and the latest info. sent straight to your inbox! Link in profile~
.
.
#smallbusiness #newsletter #smallbizguru
What’s old is new again! How to stay in front of What’s old is new again! How to stay in front of your smallbiz customers, in my latest @usatoday column. Link in profile~
.
.
#smallbusiness #customer #digitalmarketing #smallbizguru
National Doughnut Day on Friday?? Great way to sta National Doughnut Day on Friday?? Great way to start the weekend!! Enjoy, and go find yourself some doughnuts 😋 🍩 
.
.
#smallbusiness #fridayfeeling #nationaldoughnutday
#smallbusiness #tuesdaythoughts #entrepreneur #ins #smallbusiness #tuesdaythoughts #entrepreneur #inspirationalquotes
“And I’m proud to be an American, where at lea “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” - Lee Greenwood -
.
.
#memorialday #neverforget
We're heading into a long weekend! Here's to some We're heading into a long weekend! Here's to some R&R, productivity . . . whatever your small business needs~
.
.
#smallbusiness #weekend #entrepreneur #fridayfeeling
Sign up for my newsletter - get small business tip Sign up for my newsletter - get small business tips and the latest info. sent straight to your inbox! Link in profile~
.
.
#smallbusiness #tips #entrepreneur #newsletter #smallbizguru
#smallbusiness #tuesdaythoughts #inspirationalquot #smallbusiness #tuesdaythoughts #inspirationalquotes
Here's to a great week, small business owners! . . Here's to a great week, small business owners!
.
.
#smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #mondaymotivation
My Tweets
  • Sign up for my newsletter - get small business tip Sign up for my newsletter - get small business tips and the latest info. sent straight to your inbox! Link in profile~
.
.
#smallbusiness #newsletter #smallbizguru
    What’s old is new again! How to stay in front of What’s old is new again! How to stay in front of your smallbiz customers, in my latest @usatoday column. Link in profile~
.
.
#smallbusiness #customer #digitalmarketing #smallbizguru
    National Doughnut Day on Friday?? Great way to sta National Doughnut Day on Friday?? Great way to start the weekend!! Enjoy, and go find yourself some doughnuts 😋 🍩 
.
.
#smallbusiness #fridayfeeling #nationaldoughnutday
    #smallbusiness #tuesdaythoughts #entrepreneur #ins #smallbusiness #tuesdaythoughts #entrepreneur #inspirationalquotes
    “And I’m proud to be an American, where at lea “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” - Lee Greenwood -
.
.
#memorialday #neverforget
    We're heading into a long weekend! Here's to some We're heading into a long weekend! Here's to some R&R, productivity . . . whatever your small business needs~
.
.
#smallbusiness #weekend #entrepreneur #fridayfeeling
    Sign up for my newsletter - get small business tip Sign up for my newsletter - get small business tips and the latest info. sent straight to your inbox! Link in profile~
.
.
#smallbusiness #tips #entrepreneur #newsletter #smallbizguru
  • Footer

    Our Products
    Instructor Central

    Privacy Policy
    Contact Us

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter

    Copyright © 2023 PlanningShop · All Rights Reserved · Site design by paulinaart

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT