Jaclyn Sienna India founded her luxury travel concierge service, Sienna Charles, in 2008 with a determination to succeed despite having no clients at the time. Initially, she would turn down inquiries about travel opportunities, feigning a busy schedule catering to high-net-worth individuals, while her husband doubted her business approach.
Fast forward sixteen years, and India’s strategy has flourished. Her client list now includes notable figures such as former President George W. Bush and celebrity Mariah Carey, serving those whose annual income exceeds $100 million. With such affluent clientele, the question arises: what unique offerings does she provide that her clients cannot accomplish on their own?
India emphasizes the importance of care and personal connections in her service. Drawing from her experience as a server, she understands what makes people tick and prioritizes attentiveness to her clients’ needs. She maintains an extensive network of over 2,000 industry connections across upscale hotels, yachts, and restaurants, which enhances her ability to create personalized travel and dining experiences.
Understanding her clients’ visions is one of India’s strengths. She listens to their goals and translates them into unforgettable experiences, even if that means steering them away from conventional luxury. For instance, she prefers to recommend dining options like Single Thread Farms over the more mainstream French Laundry, believing that the latter falls short on excitement.
India frequently arranges bespoke events for her clients, including a candlelight dinner at Versailles and brunch atop the Arc de Triomphe. She also seeks to incorporate meaningful encounters into meals, such as breakfast with the Hermes family or lunch with the Fendi family in Rome.
Sometimes, her clients’ requests are more straightforward. When Bush visited Ethiopia, India ensured he had familiar comforts like peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer, along with a warm welcome from local children wearing Texas Rangers caps.
“I genuinely care about people,” India says, explaining that her day involves communicating with individuals from various walks of life to discover the most intriguing options for her clients. Her philosophy is that experiences should be authentic, encompassing more than just luxury, highlighting the richness of diverse experiences the world has to offer.