Jaclyn Sienna India started her luxury travel concierge service, Sienna Charles, in 2008 with the mantra of “fake it till you make it.” Initially struggling, she would receive calls from potential clients interested in her services, but she often had to fabricate her business’s success, telling them she was fully booked despite having no customers at the time.
Fast forward 16 years, and her strategy has yielded remarkable results. Today, India counts influential figures, including former President George W. Bush and celebrities like Mariah Carey, among her clientele. Her services cater to individuals with an annual income exceeding $100 million, who typically have access to most of life’s luxuries. So, what does Sienna Charles offer that these clients cannot arrange themselves?
India emphasizes the importance of personal connection and genuine care over mere access and influence. With a background as a server, she draws on her experiences to understand the preferences and desires of her clients, creating a tailored and thoughtful approach to travel planning.
Her extensive network in the hospitality sector boasts over 2,000 contacts, allowing her to arrange exclusive travel and dining experiences that reflect her clients’ interests. She believes that while her clients have vast resources, they often lack the time or creativity to manifest their visions, making her insights valuable to them.
Her goal is not merely to secure reservations at prestigious locations, such as the renowned French Laundry in Napa, which she considers overrated, but to provide her clients with truly memorable and enriching experiences. She prefers to recommend places like Single Thread Farms, which she finds more engaging.
India’s unique offerings often result in extraordinary events. She has arranged intimate dinners at Versailles and brunch atop the Arc de Triomphe, as well as unique meetings with influential figures, such as the Hermes and Fendi families.
Sometimes, her clients seek comforts from home. For instance, when George W. Bush visited Ethiopia, she ensured his cravings were satisfied with peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer, and arranged for local children to greet him wearing Texas Rangers caps.
India’s philosophy centers on genuine care for her clients and a commitment to offering authentic experiences, blending luxury with meaningful connections. She actively engages with various people in her daily life to discover the most intriguing and personal options for her clientele, proving that the essence of travel is about more than just opulence—it’s about authenticity.