Meet Kay-Leigh: How a CEO Built SurfStride from a Real Problem

Before SurfStride existed, there was a problem. Kay-Leigh got a property. She needed cleaners. She called around Somerset West, got unreliable responses, signed contracts she didn't want, and paid markups for franchise brands that didn't know her neighbourhood.

Sound familiar? That's because this is a story thousands of Somerset West residents live through every week. Instead of accepting it, Kay-Leigh and her co-founder Rikard built a solution.

This is how SurfStride started.

The Problem That Started It All

It was 2024. Kay-Leigh was managing multiple properties in Somerset West and Strand. She needed consistent, reliable cleaning services, not just once, but regularly. Weekly pool maintenance. Turnover cleans for Airbnb properties. General home upkeep. But here's what happened when she tried to find a solution:

• A franchise cleaning company offered professional service, but at a significant markup for their brand overhead.
• A local cleaner recommended by a friend was reliable at first, then started cancelling. No backup plan. No insurance.
• Online marketplace ads offered cheap service but lacked vetting, verification, or accountability.

"There has to be a better way," Kay-Leigh thought.

The Real Problem: Trust + Reliability + Local Expertise

What Kay-Leigh discovered is that most homeowners and property managers in Somerset West want three things:

• Trust: Verified, vetted workers they can feel safe inviting into their homes
• Reliability: Consistency. Same worker. Same standard. Same show-up time. Every time.
• Local expertise: People who understand Somerset West's climate, water quality, coastal conditions, and unique property needs

Franchise cleaners had systems but were expensive. Independent contractors were cheap but unreliable. There was no middle ground.

The Solution: Build SurfStride

Kay-Leigh partnered with Rikard (CTO) to build something different. Not a franchise. Not a gig-economy platform. Something local, verified, and human.SurfStride's approach:

• Verify every worker: ID checks, references, background screening, skills verification
• Transparent pricing: No franchise markups, no hidden fees, no surprise charges
• Local focus: Somerset West, Strand, Gordons Bay first, deep roots in the community
• Flexibility: No long-term contracts, skip weeks, change plans anytime
• Accountability: SurfStride stands behind the work. Insurance covers damage.
• Fair worker pay: Better wages mean better workers stay longer

Kay-Leigh's Philosophy

'We built SurfStride to solve the problem I had,' Kay-Leigh explains. 'I wanted local, verified, reliable service without paying franchise markups or taking on gig-economy risk. I wanted to trust the person in my home. So we built a system where that's the baseline.' That philosophy shapes every decision SurfStride makes:

• No racing to the bottom on price. Fair pricing means fair wages, which means better, more experienced workers.
• Relationships matter. Same worker assigned to your home builds trust and continuity.
• Local first. Somerset West residents understand Somerset West problems better than any national franchise.
• Transparent all the way. Pricing, vetting, insurance, processes, all visible, all clear.

From One Problem to a Real Business

SurfStride launched in Somerset West with one mission: solve the cleaning and maintenance problem for local property owners. Within months, the model proved itself. Homeowners loved having verified, reliable workers. Workers appreciated fair pay and steady bookings. Airbnb hosts reduced negative reviews by switching from unreliable alternatives. Property managers found a partner they could trust. Today, SurfStride operates across Somerset West, Strand, and Gordons Bay, with expansion plans for Paarl, Stellenbosch, and the wider Western Cape.

What's Next

Kay-Leigh and Rikard are thinking bigger. The foundation is solid: verified workers, transparent pricing, customer trust. But the vision is broader. 'We're building a platform that becomes the default for property services in the Western Cape,' Kay-Leigh says. 'Not just cleaning, gardens, pool maintenance, handyman work, real estate prep, property management. All backed by verified workers and transparent pricing.'

The Bigger Picture

The same problem Kay-Leigh faced exists in every neighbourhood. Homeowners want to trust the people in their homes. Workers want fair pay and consistent work. Customers want reliability and transparency. SurfStride solves all three. And it starts right here in Somerset West.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long have you been operating?

SurfStride launched in late 2024 with a focus on residential cleaning and pool maintenance in Somerset West, Strand, and Gordons Bay.

Why should I trust SurfStride?

Every worker is verified with ID checks, references, and background screening. We're local, transparent, and accountable.

How do I book?

Contact us via WhatsApp. Select your service, date, and preferences. Confirmation comes the day before.

What if something goes wrong?

We make it right. Customer feedback drives our continuous improvement.

Where do you plan to expand?

Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Durbanville are in our growth roadmap for 2026.

Join the SurfStride Community

Hundreds of Somerset West residents now use SurfStride for their cleaning, pool maintenance, and property service needs. Join them.

Contact Us Today.

Email: info@surfstride.co.za

WhatsApp: Click Here