Ep 21. Thomas H. Willis & Co.

Tom Willis announces to the Jeffersons that he has quit his job at the bank and is starting his own business venture with a partner named Roger. The venture, Thomas H. Willis & Co., is a loan and investment company catering mainly to minorities who may not have access to traditional banking systems. The Willis' invite George and Louise to take part in the venture as investors, but the idea of investing in a new and untested business is too risky for George, who declines the offer. However, Louise sees potential in the venture and decides to give it a chance, investing $10,000 of their savings into the company.

As the investment progresses, Louise becomes more and more involved in Thomas H. Willis & Co. and begins working as a consultant to help the start-up run more efficiently. She spends most of her time at the firm, often leaving George to deal with household duties and the running of the dry-cleaning business. Tensions arise between George and Louise over her commitment to the start-up, with George feeling neglected and unimportant. Meanwhile, Thomas H. Willis & Co. faces a crisis when a deal they had been working on falls through, causing financial stress and intense pressure to secure another investor to save the business.

The episode highlights the struggle of black entrepreneurs and the challenges they face in securing investment and building thriving businesses. It also explores the potential conflicts that can arise when a married couple takes on a business venture together. The episode features a number of poignant moments and heated arguments as each character grapples with their roles in the business and in their personal lives. Despite the challenges, Thomas H. Willis & Co. manages to secure a new investor, and George and Louise come to a better understanding of the value of each other's contributions to the family and the business. The episode ends on a hopeful note, as the Jeffersons and Willis' celebrate their success and the bright future of their partnership.