Jaclyn Sienna India founded her luxury travel concierge service, Sienna Charles, in 2008, with the ambitious goal of building her reputation by initially projecting success she hadn’t yet achieved. At the start of her journey, India faced skepticism from her husband as she received inquiries from potential clients, despite having no actual business. She would often tell them that she was too busy to take on new clients, claiming to be sold out for the season.
Fast forward sixteen years, and India’s strategy has proven successful. Her client list includes prominent figures such as former President George W. Bush and celebrity icons like Mariah Carey. She caters specifically to clientele with annual incomes exceeding $100 million, focusing on individuals who seemingly have everything. So, what unique offerings does India provide?
India emphasizes that her clients, despite their influence and connections, often lack the time, access, and creativity to achieve their travel aspirations. She prides herself on her ability to listen and understand her clients’ visions, no matter how vaguely expressed, and is skilled at transforming those ideas into reality.
Her extensive network—boasting over 2,000 contacts in the hospitality industry, which includes elite hotels, yachts, and top-tier restaurants—allows her to craft extraordinary travel and dining experiences. However, her focus is not merely on luxury but rather on ensuring that her clients have authentic and memorable experiences.
India offers a discerning approach to high-profile dining, often bypassing popular venues if they don’t align with her clients’ interests. For instance, she prefers promoting unique options over renowned establishments like the three-Michelin star French Laundry in Napa, advocating instead for the more innovative Single Thread Farms.
Her service includes arranging personalized experiences, such as a candlelight dinner at Versailles or brunch on the Arc de Triomphe. She also facilitates meetings with notable personalities, having brokered breakfasts with the Hermes family and lunches with the Fendi family in Rome.
Sometimes, her clients request simpler comforts, like when she ensured that George W. Bush had familiar items, such as peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer, during a trip to Ethiopia, where he was welcomed by local children wearing Texas Rangers caps.
India’s passion for her work stems from her genuine care for people. She actively engages with everyone she encounters during her day, from taxi drivers to restaurant staff, striving to discover the most interesting options for her clients. She believes that the true essence of travel isn’t limited to luxury, but encompasses the richness of authentic experiences.