Her Story
About Sonya
Sonya Lloyd is a seasoned beauty industry professional, entrepreneur, and innovator with more than three decades of experience as a licensed cosmetologist. She is the Founder and CEO of GetGLYSS, a beauty technology marketplace designed to address workforce and support gaps within the salon industry. Drawing on her extensive experience working directly with clients and managing salon operations, Lloyd developed a two-sided platform that connects licensed hairstylists who need reliable support with cosmetology students seeking hands-on experience, flexible work opportunities, and income while completing their education. She leads the company’s business strategy, product development, workforce development, and outreach to beauty schools and salon professionals.
In addition to GetGLYSS, Lloyd owns and operates SonyVCutz, an independent salon business focused on precision cutting and healthy hair care. Her career has included numerous opportunities to contribute to the beauty industry, including being selected to provide hairstyling services for athletes from around the world during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. She also founded The Golden Shears Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating meaningful beauty and portrait experiences for older adults in senior living communities. Through the initiative, Lloyd organized volunteer teams of cosmetology students, licensed stylists, family members, friends, and photographers to provide hair, makeup, and photography services, creating treasured memories and lasting family keepsakes.
Lloyd holds a B.A.Sc. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and has maintained her Georgia Master Cosmetologist License since 1995. Her professional development has been strengthened through mentorship and leadership programs focused on personal growth, self-expression, and professional development. Across her entrepreneurial, beauty, and community initiatives, she is guided by integrity, communication, transparency, commitment, reliability, and professionalism. These values shape her approach to building relationships, developing emerging talent, creating innovative solutions, and contributing to the continued growth of the beauty industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sonya
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always be open to market. Don't ever stop learning. I'll never stop growing. Don't allow someone else to dictate your worth. You're good at cutting, you've been doing this since you were young, so don't allow someone else to dictate your skills, yourself, your worth based on how many years.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The way that they show up and present themselves, the way they look is the way they beat. Those are the type of clients you will attract. If you show up booking tab dressed or not professional not put together, you're going to attract people like that and those same people aren't going to respect you. Show up on time.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges that we're facing right now is just connecting with the license. It's a two-sided platform, so licensed hairstylists on one side and then the students on the other side. What's been our biggest is the networking with the licensed stylist and onboarding them to see how beneficial it could be for them during their workday by having that support.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity. Communication. Transparency. Commitment. Reliability. Professionalism.
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