Though Schitt's Creek focused on the Rose family and how they learn to be better people while interacting with town residents like Stevie Budd, it was Stevie who needed the Rose family more than they needed her. Stevie, played by Emily Hampshire, went through her own character arc throughout the show's six seasons. However, this arc would not be possible if the Rose family hadn't found its way into her life.
Stevie grew up in Schitt's Creek and was all too familiar with the town and its residents. However, when the Rose family lost their fortune and ended up having to move to the town that Johnny (Eugene Levy) bought for David (Dan Levy), a brand-new cast of characters made their way into Stevie's life. At first, Stevie judged siblings David and Alexis (Annie Murphy), as well as their parents, Johnny and Moira (Catherine O'Hara), but over the course of Schitt's Creek, Stevie found herself growing closer to the Roses.
Before meeting the Rose family, Stevie was very aloof, didn't enjoy human interaction, and didn't have many ambitions. However, thanks to the Rose family, Stevie finally found a friend and kindred spirit in David. Though there was an awkward moment in Schitt's Creek season 1 where the two of them drunkenly slept together, they could move on and forge one of the show's strongest bonds. Stevie, previously closed-off, found herself opening up to David about her problems and, in turn, became a ive friend, especially when it came to David's relationship with Patrick. She was even asked to be the maid of honor in David's wedding in Schitt's Creek season 6, signifying how far their friendship has come. Although Stevie was less close to David's sister, Alexis, the two of them also became friends and even ask each other for relationship advice. It was a sign of growth that Stevie willingly socializes with two people who are so radically different from her. Because the Rose family moved to town, Stevie allowed herself to drop the aloofness and open her mind to friendships.
Through her connection to the Rose family, Stevie also learned to build up her confidence. In Schitt's Creek season 3, episode 2, "New Car," Stevie's great-aunt Maureen died and left Stevie ownership of the motel in her will. Stevie was stressed out about the added responsibility, but David was very ive of Stevie, and Johnny offered to help Stevie by becoming her business partner. Thanks to the confidence boost from David, and help from Johnny, Stevie was able to turn the Rosebud Motel into a highly-reviewed spot and gave herself a sense of purpose and ambition in her life.
Stevie also got help from Moira to soothe her insecurities. In Schitt's Creek season 5, Stevie decided to step out of her comfort zone and play Sally Bowles in Moira's production of Cabaret. In the Schitt's Creek season 5 finale, Stevie was in her dressing room, feeling emotional because David and Patrick's engagement made her feel like everyone around her was growing up while she was just watching things happen from behind the motel desk. Moira reassured Stevie, saying:
"You need to be exactly where you are. What the hell is your secret, Stevie? You just stand your solid ground, refusing to be anything but you. I never thought I’d say this about anyone in this town, but you, you’re very, very cool. And whether you set sail or stay put, that’s not going to change.”
After that pep talk, Stevie went out on stage and gave an excellent performance. Thanks to Moira, Stevie decided to take a chance and put herself out there on stage, but the Rose family matriarch also helped Stevie feel more comfortable with who she was as a person, no matter if she stayed in the town or not. The Rose family went through evolutions throughout Schitt's Creek. However, they also impacted the character growth of one town resident: Stevie Budd. She might not have evolved so much without this family in her life. Even though Johnny, Moira, and Alexis parted ways with Stevie in the Schitt's Creek series finale, Stevie will still be forever impacted by them—and at least she'll still have her best friend, David, by her side.