Jaclyn Sienna India launched Sienna Charles, her luxury travel concierge service, in 2008 with a determination to succeed despite having no clients at the time. She recalls how her husband doubted her when they received calls from potential clients seeking trips to Disney or weekend getaways in New Jersey, while she had to respond that they were fully booked with high-net-worth individuals.
Fast forward sixteen years, and India’s strategy of perseverance has yielded impressive results. She now counts former President George W. Bush and celebrities like Mariah Carey among her high-profile clients, who earn over $100 million annually. Despite their wealth, India provides personalized services that go beyond what her clients can arrange for themselves.
India emphasizes the importance of care and emotional connection in her business. She spent five years working as a server, which helped her understand what motivates people. This approach has allowed her to create tailored travel and dining experiences for her elite clientele, leveraging her extensive network within the hospitality sector.
With a “black book” of over 2,000 relationships, India is adept at connecting her clients with unique opportunities. She listens carefully to their needs, recognizing that they often have a vision but lack the resources to realize it. Her success lies in interpreting that vision and turning it into reality.
India’s goal is not only to secure exclusive access to luxurious venues but to ensure that her clients have meaningful experiences. For example, while she acknowledges the prestige of dining at California’s three-Michelin-star restaurant French Laundry, she prefers to recommend what she considers more engaging options, such as Single Thread Farms.
Her bespoke experiences include unique dining events, such as a candlelight dinner in Versailles and brunch atop the Arc de Triomphe, often combined with opportunities to meet influential figures, like the Hermes and Fendi families.
At times, her clients’ requests are simpler. For instance, during George W. Bush’s trip to Ethiopia, India ensured he had some comforts from home, including peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer, and arranged for him to be greeted by local children wearing Texas Rangers caps.
India believes authenticity is key to her service. She engages with everyone from cab drivers to restaurant staff to discover interesting options for her clients. For her, luxury is about more than opulence; it’s about offering genuine and enriching experiences.