Jaclyn Sienna India launched her travel concierge service, Sienna Charles, in 2008 with a strategy of projecting success. Initially, she would receive inquiries from potential clients who saw her work in publications, yet she had no actual clients to book. She recalls how her husband doubted her ambitions during those early days when she would turn away clients with fabricated stories about her busy schedule.
Fast forward sixteen years, and India’s venture has flourished, attracting a formidable clientele that includes high-profile individuals such as former President George W. Bush and pop icon Mariah Carey. Her business now caters exclusively to clients with annual earnings exceeding $100 million, prompting the question of what unique services she can offer to those who seemingly have it all.
India attributes her success to her commitment to caring for her clients and understanding their needs. Drawing from her experience as a server, she values human connection and emphasizes the importance of personalized attention in her services.
Sienna Charles includes a comprehensive network of over 2,000 relationships within the hospitality sector, covering luxury yachts, hotels, and fine dining establishments. These connections allow India to curate extraordinary travel and culinary experiences tailored to her clients’ desires.
Her methodology focuses on deciphering her clients’ visions, even when they may not have the tools or time to realize them. She explains that she has a knack for grasping their desires with minimal information and delivering bespoke solutions.
India is careful to curate meaningful experiences rather than just seeking out the most prestigious establishments. For example, she chooses not to promote famed locations like French Laundry in Napa, favoring offerings she considers more intriguing, such as the dining experiences at Single Thread Farms.
Her notable arrangements often lead to exclusive events; she has facilitated unique dining experiences like a candlelit dinner at Versailles and brunch atop the Arc de Triomphe. India also believes in merging culinary experiences with opportunities to meet influential figures, mentioning past breakfasts with the Hermes family and lunches with the Fendi family in Rome.
At times, her clients’ requests can be more straightforward. For instance, when arranging former President Bush’s visit to Ethiopia, India ensured he had familiar comforts like peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer, alongside a heartwarming welcome from local children wearing Texas Rangers caps.
India’s philosophy centers on genuine care for her clients and a broader understanding of the world beyond luxury. She often engages with various individuals in her daily life—from cab drivers to restaurant staff—to discover unique and authentic experiences that resonate with her clientele’s desires.