In 2008, Jaclyn Sienna India launched Sienna Charles, a boutique travel concierge service, with the determination to succeed despite starting from scratch. Early on, she often had potential clients reaching out after reading about her work, but she had no actual clients to provide services to.
However, over the past sixteen years, her hard work paid off, and India has built a prestigious clientele that includes world leaders like former President George W. Bush and celebrities such as Mariah Carey. She now caters to individuals with annual incomes exceeding $100 million, aiming to deliver unique experiences that her clients cannot easily obtain themselves.
India emphasizes that while her clients are often influential and well-connected, what truly facilitates exceptional service is care and attention. Drawing on her previous experience as a server, India understands human interactions and prioritizes meaningful relationships in her work.
Sienna Charles has developed an extensive network, often referred to as a “black book,” with over 2,000 contacts in the hospitality sector, including luxury hotels, yachts, and fine dining restaurants. This network allows India to create personalized travel and dining experiences tailored to her clients’ desires.
Rather than simply directing clients to high-end venues, India focuses on ensuring that every experience is genuinely rewarding. For example, while many would consider the three-Michelin-star restaurant French Laundry in Napa a must-visit, she believes that Single Thread Farms, located nearby, offers a more intriguing experience.
Her services frequently include exclusive events. She has organized memorable occasions such as a candlelight dinner in Versailles and brunch on the Arc de Triomphe. Additionally, she aims to combine unique dining experiences with opportunities to meet eminent personalities, such as arranging breakfast with the Hermes family or lunch with the Fendi family in Rome.
India also recognizes that some clients seek simpler comforts. For instance, while planning an Ethiopia trip for President Bush, she ensured he had familiar items like peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer, and he was welcomed by local children wearing Texas Rangers caps.
Her approach centers around a genuine concern for her clients’ needs, leading her to engage with a wide range of people, from taxi drivers to restaurant staff, to discover authentic experiences beyond luxury. India’s philosophy underscores that the world offers a wealth of possibilities, and her clients yearn for genuine and enriching experiences.