Meet Sonya Clay | Salon Owner/Hair Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sonya Clay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonya, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe that the most important factor behind my success is first and foremost my faith in God. I depend on Him as an entrepreneur to succeed. Success to me is being and doing what He wants me to do. My brand is based on my motto “One on One Care For Your Hair.” I believe in providing one on one care for my clients and I believe that because they receive this type of service that that keeps them coming back.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is SoClays Haven of Beauty Hair Salon. The name of my salon is from my first name and my last name. I came up with this name for a project while in cosmetology school and at that time I had no intentions of becoming a salon owner. My thinking at that time was that if I had a salon I wanted it to be a place of peace and rest. That’s where the word “Haven” comes in in the name of my salon. I also came up with the motto “One on One Care for Your Hair” because as a stylist I wanted to provide that one on one attention to my clients.

I started out as a booth renter in the salon that I now own, back in June, 2007. As a new stylist I didn’t have clientele. I made flyers and I got business cards made and passed them out to try to make my name known. My initial clients were family members and I am forever grateful to them. I may have had two or three appointments in a given week. However, I didn’t give up. Even when I didn’t have clients I would go to the salon and observe the other stylists as they worked. I honestly can’t remember having the thought of giving up. As time went on my clientele began to grow. I was a booth renter for about five years and I became a salon owner in 2012. Initially, I didn’t set out to be a salon owner . I just wanted to be a stylist. But God!!! The opportunity presented itself and with much prayer I took it. And I have no regrets. I know that this is God’s will for me because He literally placed the opportunity in my lap. I was overwhelmed, in awe and grateful. He has provided and I attribute the success of my salon to Him.

I’ve learned to be persistent and to not despise small beginnings. With God all things are possible. He did exceedingly and abundantly above what I had in mine in making me a salon owner. I am blessed to be able to do what I do and to enjoy it.

I want the world to know that SoClays Haven of Beauty is a salon where quality hair care service is given. We try to provide an atmosphere of peace and rest where our clients can relax and be pampered. Our core values are faith, integrity, peace, and professionalism. SOCLAYS stands for me Sending Out Christ’s Love As Your Stylist.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Honestly, I like to hang out at home. So, my home is one place that we could spend some time and watch some movies.. As far as eating places, I would take her to Gary’s Hamburgers Restaurant for that homemade hamburger taste. We could go to some other eating spots like Cafe 209, Chef’s House, Jackie M’s and Son, Big T’s Seafood and Skrimp Shack We could check out Top Golf and maybe go bowling at Bowlero Augusta Bowling Alley. We could go listen to some Jazz on Sunday at the Commons in downtown Augusta. I like to keep it simple and light.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like dedicate my shoutout firstly to my Heavenly Father for the blessing of being able to do what I do and I would like to give a shoutout to my husband, Kenneth Clay, my children Karlton Clay, Kendra Clay, Karmen (Ashley) Scott, Kameron (Akeia) Clay and my grandchildren Kyler Clay and Kimblerly Scott and my two sisters Barbara Budnick and Carlyn Morris for their continuous love and support. And last but not least I want to shoutout my fellow stylists/coworkers Victoria Prince, Kristy Kelly, and Kenyetta Corsey for their encouragement and example and shoutout to all of my faithful clients.

Instagram: Sonyaclay65

Linkedin: Sonya Clay

Twitter: @clays_so

Facebook: Sonya Clay or SoClays Haven of Beauty