Jaclyn Sienna India established her luxury travel concierge service, Sienna Charles, in 2008 with a bold approach of “faking it until making it.” In the early days, she faced skepticism, including from her husband, as she dealt with inquiries from clients while having no bookings.
Now, 16 years later, her strategy has borne fruit. India has cultivated a high-profile clientele, including former President George W. Bush and celebrities like Mariah Carey, catering to individuals with annual incomes exceeding $100 million. India asserts that the competitive edge of her service lies not in access, but in genuine care and personal connection, traits she honed during her five years as a server.
Sienna Charles maintains an extensive network of over 2,000 contacts in the hospitality sector, which helps her create extraordinary travel and dining experiences tailored to her clients’ desires. She prides herself on understanding her clients’ visions with minimal input and facilitating those experiences creatively.
While luxury is often the expectation, India emphasizes the importance of meaningful experiences over mere exclusivity. For instance, she has opted to recommend alternative venues, like Single Thread Farms instead of the renowned French Laundry, believing them to offer more unique dining opportunities.
Her service has included remarkable arrangements, such as a candlelit dinner in Versailles and brunch atop the Arc de Triomphe. She also suggests pairing meals with interactions with influential figures, such as arranging breakfast with the Hermes family.
Even simpler requests, like ensuring Bush had his favorite peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer during his visit to Ethiopia, underscore her commitment to personal touches. India engages with a wide range of people—from cab drivers to restaurant staff—to uncover authentic experiences, reinforcing her belief that luxury should encompass authentic and diverse interactions beyond just high-end amenities.