Two Can Move a Couch: Power in Practical Help

In his comedy special Tamborine, Chris Rock vulnerably addresses missteps that led to his failed marriage in this short clip on happy relationships.

The portion of dialogue that resonated with me goes:

“People say relationships are tough,” he retorts.
“No, they’re not; they’re only tough when one person is working on it,” 

“That’s right, two people can move a couch real easy... one person can’t move it at all.”

I recall earlier days of moving to St. Louis, starting a new job, marriage, life as a mother, and now, as an entrepreneur. The line “one person can’t move it at all” re-centered and reminded me of the power, impact, complexity, and necessity of partnered work.  

Since opening our third space in May, trusted friends and mentors encourage me to ramp-up community events, such as Supper Table, to boost awareness and sustainability of korédé house. 

In October, I shared our first impact report, highlighting our 1:1 empathetic listening sessions, app downloads, consistent member stories of finding peace at korédé house and our 18 “private and house-hosted events,” majority being private events that did little to increase community-level enrichment and awareness.  After months of trying, I felt acutely the statement that so resonated with me...one person can't move it all. 

In the last month, I found 'co-lifters' with equal passion to empower and nurture ambitious and mothering women. Together, we have tripled our community-enrichment events through Q12024, far surpassing my 20-week solo effort and crafted a robust and attainable plan for attracting sponsors and funding to advance our work.  One of our values is Practical Help and to experience it has been a joy-hack.  

Maybe Chris Rock is right about real easy.  Maybe we need more encouragement to ask for and humbly seek help to carry our couches. 

What do you need help with? What could you create with assistance? Who do you know that can help? Do you have the courage to ask?   

Ronke Faleti 

Storyteller & Chief Experience Officer  at korédé house

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."  Unknown African Proverb