Kia Binger knows firsthand how overwhelming it can be to balance a busy business with the demands of life. After years of working in advertising, she realized the powerful connection between a clean, organized home and overall mental health. For many small business owners, home becomes the place where both work and personal life collide. As a result, the lines between the two blur, and things like cleaning and tidying often get pushed aside.
Inspired by her desire to help others experience the peace and clarity that comes with a clean, well-organized space, and after ending up on too many waitlists for residential cleaning services herself, Kia founded Lemon Fresh Cleaners in 2022 with her partner Shane.
“The idea initially started because we needed someone to clean our home, as well as other properties we managed, and we kept running into roadblocks,” said Kia. “Either the services we were reaching out to only did commercial businesses, or they had waitlists that would be impossible to schedule with.”
When Life Gives You Lemons: Make Lemon Fresh
Combining her love of branding and advertising with her educational background in entrepreneurial studies from South Dakota State University, Kia set out to provide a solution for busy professionals and parents to reclaim their time and energy by offering professional cleaning services that reduce stress, refresh each space, and support a healthy mental well-being—especially during the long, isolating winter months.
“In the Midwest, we tend to have an independent mentality, thinking that if we don’t do it ourselves, we are being lazy or acting elite,” said Kia. “However, adding services like house cleaning can give you back time and energy elsewhere that can mean so much more to reach goals, create memories with friends and family, and relax.”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the mess piling up in your home, you’re not alone. Research has shown that clutter can have a significant impact on our mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and even fatigue. For working professionals, this can be especially difficult. After a long day of managing employees, handling client needs, and taking care of the administrative work, the last thing you want to do is come home to a messy, disorganized space.
A tidy home, however, can have the opposite effect—it can become a sanctuary, offering you a chance to recharge and unwind. Organizing and cleaning can help clear your mind and provide a sense of control, which is especially important during the winter months when the lack of sunlight and outdoor activity can exacerbate feelings of stress and fatigue.
By maintaining a clean and organized space, you can reduce the mental clutter that accumulates over time. This means less anxiety, better sleep, and improved focus which can translate to increased productivity and a more positive outlook, both at home and at work.
“My favorite part of the job is when our client comes home and we’ve completed our work,” said Kia. “You can just see the relief in their interactions. They are so happy to come home to a chore that has been crossed off their list, and I’m glad we get the opportunity to do that for them.”
Lemon Fresh Expands
In 2023, Kia and Shane franchised the Lemon Fresh Cleaners brand to allow other communities to experience the same top-notch services and products available to the Rapid City community. Over the past year, there have been four franchisees with others in the works.
“Every location is locally owned and operated by their own team; it is their business with a few provisions like using our vetted natural cleaning products, great customer service and professionalism, and making time to give back to the communities we serve,” explained Kia.
For Kia and the other Lemon Fresh Cleaners, the services they offer aren’t just about cleaning; it’s about providing a service that enhances the lives of busy professionals, people, students, and more; offering them the time and mental clarity they need to thrive. As the expression goes: with a tidy home comes a tidy mind. Having a bit of brightness and energy brought into your space can help you offset the impending blues this winter season.
Contact Lemon Fresh Cleaners
(605) 388-2010 | lemonfresh.us
