I know for my FC's part (Genko & Khokanchin) we just embrace the straight up business side of things. We have the Japanese teahouse in the front and the back office is openly advertised as an acquisitions and curiosities business which takes on jobs that are mostly clean but every once and again we'll take jobs that are bending the law. That said the company will turn away a business offer if it's too much of a risk for the business's image.
The business in the back is not our main focus though. In fact our characters take pride in the teahouse and it is just as important as the curiosity shop. As such neither business is a front for the other.
I can totally understand people wanting to embrace the covert nature of front businesses, it's another popular form of RP alongside things like social events. RPers like adventure and such along with their character building in my experience. Some RPers like dark RP. Others don't. There are plenty of totally legit FCs in business alongside the "totally legit" FCs, it's just a matter of poking about for the right stuff you're interested in. If someone can't find one, they'll try to build one themselves. That's usually how RP goes in the experiences I've had.
The business in the back is not our main focus though. In fact our characters take pride in the teahouse and it is just as important as the curiosity shop. As such neither business is a front for the other.
I can totally understand people wanting to embrace the covert nature of front businesses, it's another popular form of RP alongside things like social events. RPers like adventure and such along with their character building in my experience. Some RPers like dark RP. Others don't. There are plenty of totally legit FCs in business alongside the "totally legit" FCs, it's just a matter of poking about for the right stuff you're interested in. If someone can't find one, they'll try to build one themselves. That's usually how RP goes in the experiences I've had.
