For Kim Brown, owner of Merry Maids serving Augusta and Aiken, leadership has always been about more than running a successful business. It’s about fostering a culture where both employees and clients feel valued.
Brown’s path to business ownership began with an unexpected opportunity. The previous owner of the local Merry Maids franchise, founded in 1992, had been a longtime client of her husband, a CPA. When he decided to retire in 2015, he approached the Browns about purchasing the business. Knowing the franchise had a strong track record, the couple decided to take the leap.
While her husband continues his accounting practice, Brown stepped fully into the leadership role, overseeing the daily operations and guiding the company’s growth across Georgia and South Carolina. Over the years, she has shaped the business into something more than a cleaning service. Under her leadership, Merry Maids has become a flourishing organization built on trust.
“What drew me to the business was the opportunity to help people,” Brown says. “Every home is different, every client has unique needs, and our goal is to deliver a five-star experience every single time.”
For Brown, that experience begins with the people who represent the company every day. She is passionate about supporting the frontline team members who work directly with clients in their homes.
“My leadership style is that of a leader, not a boss,” she explains. “A boss tells people what to do. A leader guides their team where they want them to go.”
Her philosophy has ignited a compassionate culture within the company. Brown believes a business is only as strong as the people behind it, and she works intentionally to create an environment where employees feel respected and empowered. Many of the team members are women, and Brown says their shared understanding of home life allows them to take pride in delivering spaces that feel calm and well-tended.
“Those relationships matter,” Brown says. “When people know they are valued, they bring their best to the work they do every day.”
Inviting someone into your home requires a great deal of trust, something Brown never takes lightly. Merry Maids backs every service with a 24-hour guarantee, ensuring that any concerns are addressed quickly and completely.
“We want clients to know they are heard and cared for,” she says. “We’re not just cleaning a house. We’re helping create a peaceful space where people can relax and spend time with what matters most.”
In 2023, Brown’s franchise received the prestigious Dallen W. Peterson Founder’s Award from Merry Maids, recognizing it as the top franchise in the nation among more than 400 locations. The honor reflects not only an impressive business performance, but also exceptional service and leadership.
Today, the company serves multiple counties across Georgia and South Carolina and continues to expand while maintaining its community foundation. Brown recently expanded operations with a dedicated office in Aiken to better serve South Carolina clients and strengthen the company’s presence in the region.
Brown also prioritizes serving the community. Since 2017, Merry Maids of Augusta has partnered with Cleaning for a Reason to offer two free home cleanings to cancer patients undergoing treatment, with discounted services available afterward. Inspired by her own family’s experience with cancer, Brown says the program is one way her team can help create a clean space where people can focus on healing.
“I want our company to always be known as relationship-driven,” she says. “Our clients are not just names on a schedule, and our employees are not just team members. They’re part of something meaningful. When people trust you with their homes and their time, that’s a responsibility we take seriously.”
You can contact Merry Maids in Aiken by calling 803-593-0077 or Augusta by calling 706-650-2409.