In 2008, Jaclyn Sienna India launched her luxury travel concierge, Sienna Charles, with the intention of succeeding through sheer confidence. Despite initial skepticism from her husband, who believed she was misguided, India navigated early calls from potential clients as if she were already established in the high-net-worth travel scene, all while having no actual clients.
Fast forward sixteen years, and India’s strategy has paid off significantly. She now caters to an elite clientele, including international leaders and celebrities such as Mariah Carey, with annual incomes surpassing $100 million. Her clients, who already possess substantial resources, seek something beyond mere access—what India provides is a personal touch.
India emphasizes the importance of genuine care and connection. Drawing on her prior experience as a server, she understands the nuances of hospitality and what truly matters to people. This insight enables her to create memorable travel and dining experiences tailored to individual desires.
Her expansive network spans over 2,000 contacts in the hospitality sector, including luxury hotels, yachts, and fine dining establishments. This extensive “black book” allows her to arrange unique experiences that her clients might not have the time or creativity to pursue themselves.
India prioritizes quality over sheer opulence, often bypassing conventional luxury spots for more meaningful experiences. For instance, she prefers more innovative culinary experiences over a well-known Michelin-starred restaurant, offering alternatives that better align with her clients’ values.
Her services have included extraordinary arrangements such as a candlelight dinner at Versailles and a brunch on the Arc de Triomphe. Additionally, she often pairs meals with opportunities to meet influential figures, having organized breakfasts with the Hermes family and lunches with the Fendi family in Rome.
Yet, India understands that sometimes her clients desire simpler comforts. For example, when former President George W. Bush visited Ethiopia, she ensured he had familiar comforts like peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer, while also arranging for local children to greet him wearing Texas Rangers caps.
Her commitment to authenticity and personal connection defines India’s approach. She believes in finding interesting options for her clients by engaging with everyone she meets, from cab drivers to restaurant staff. In her view, the essence of travel lies in authentic experiences, not merely luxurious ones.