When Jaclyn Sienna India launched Sienna Charles, her boutique travel concierge service, in 2008, she focused on projecting confidence despite lacking a client base. Initially, she faced skepticism, even from her husband, as she received inquiries from individuals wanting to plan trips while she had no established clientele to cater to.
Fast forward sixteen years, and Sienna Charles has become a go-to for high-profile clients, including world leaders like former President George W. Bush and notable celebrities such as Mariah Carey. The firm specializes in serving clients with annual incomes exceeding $100 million, individuals who seem to have everything. So, what does India offer that her clients cannot achieve themselves?
According to India, her edge lies in genuine care and emotional intelligence. Drawing from her five years of experience as a server, she understands how to connect with people on a personal level. She emphasizes the importance of paying attention to clients’ needs and leading with compassion.
Sienna Charles maintains an extensive network, boasting more than 2,000 contacts within the hospitality sector, which includes high-end hotels, restaurants, and yacht services. This network allows her to create bespoke travel and dining experiences tailored to her clients’ visions.
“My clients often know what they want to achieve, but lack the resources or creativity to make it happen,” India explains. She prides herself on grasping her clients’ aspirations succinctly and delivering them in an extraordinary manner.
Her commitment goes beyond merely securing access to exclusive venues; she aims to ensure that each client experience is genuinely rewarding. India has a discerning taste; for instance, while she can arrange a reservation at the renowned three-Michelin star restaurant French Laundry in Napa Valley, she prefers to recommend what she finds more intriguing, like Single Thread Farms nearby.
India continually crafts unique experiences for her clients. She once organized a candlelit dinner in Versailles and has arranged brunch on the Arc de Triomphe. She also enjoys pairing meals with memorable encounters, such as breakfasts with the Hermes family or lunches with the Fendi family in Rome.
Yet, sometimes her clients seek simpler comforts. While planning a trip to Ethiopia for George W. Bush, India ensured he had familiar snacks like peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer. His arrival was made special by children in Texas Rangers baseball caps cheering for him.
“I genuinely care about people,” India states, explaining that she invests time in communicating with a variety of people throughout her day, from cab drivers to restaurant staff, to uncover the most unique options for her clients. Her philosophy is that the best experiences are authentic and extend beyond luxury, capturing the rich tapestry of the world around us.