In 2008, Jaclyn Sienna India established Sienna Charles, a boutique travel concierge service, with a determination to succeed against the odds. Despite her husband’s skepticism and her initial lack of clients, she navigated through early challenges by projecting confidence and expertise.
Fast forward sixteen years, and India has built an impressive clientele that includes world leaders and celebrities, such as former President George W. Bush and singer Mariah Carey. Her services cater to high-net-worth individuals who earn over $100 million annually, individuals who seemingly have access to everything. So, what does India offer these exclusive clients that they cannot obtain on their own?
India emphasizes that her approach goes beyond mere connections; it centers on genuine care and attention. Drawing from her experience as a server, she recognizes the importance of understanding her clients’ needs. “It’s leading from the heart,” she states, underscoring the significance of personal relationships in her work.
With an extensive network of over 2,000 contacts across the hospitality sector, India leverages these connections to create unique travel and dining experiences. She notes that while her clients often have a vision for their desires, they may lack the necessary tools, time, or creativity to fulfill them. India prides herself on grasping her clients’ wishes and transforming them into reality, often with just a few words.
Her focus is not solely on luxury; India prioritizes meaningful experiences over mere exclusivity. For instance, while she could provide access to renowned restaurants like French Laundry in Napa, she prefers to direct clients towards more intriguing options, such as Single Thread Farms.
Sienna Charles is known for arranging extraordinary events, such as a candlelit dinner in Versailles or brunch on the Arc de Triomphe. India often blends culinary experiences with meetings with notable personalities, including breakfast with the Hermes family and lunch with the Fendi family in Rome.
However, her services also cater to simpler requests. When President Bush visited Ethiopia, India ensured he had familiar comforts, like peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer, and arranged for local children to greet him with Texas Rangers baseball caps.
India’s attentive and heartfelt approach reflects her belief that true luxury lies in authenticity and personal connections. She spends her days engaging with everyone around her, from cab drivers to restaurant staff, to curate the most enriching experiences for her clients. “The world is not just luxury. It’s everything, and my clients want authentic experiences,” she concludes.