When Jaclyn Sienna India launched Sienna Charles, her boutique travel concierge service, in 2008, she was committed to presenting an air of success until that success became a reality. Initially, her husband doubted her approach as calls came from potential clients interested in trips to places like Disney or weekend getaways to New Jersey, despite her having no actual clients at the time. She would tell them they were fully booked with high-net-worth clients.
Fast forward sixteen years, and India has successfully cultivated a distinguished clientele that includes world leaders such as former President George W. Bush and celebrities like Mariah Carey. Her services are aimed at individuals earning over $100 million annually, people who seemingly have it all. So what sets India apart in the travel industry?
India emphasizes that while her clients hold significant power and connections, achieving their desires often comes down to genuine care and understanding. Drawing on her experience as a server for five years before starting her business, she believes that truly recognizing what makes people tick is essential in delivering exceptional service.
Sienna Charles boasts a vast network of over 2000 relationships in hospitality, encompassing yachts, hotels, and upscale dining establishments. This extensive rapport enables India to craft unique travel and dining experiences tailored to each client’s vision.
According to India, her clients may have grand ideas but often lack the means or creativity to realize them. One of her talents lies in interpreting their visions and bringing them to life with minimal input.
Her commitment goes beyond simply providing access to opulent venues; she aims to ensure that each experience is meaningful. For instance, although she could easily secure reservations at the renowned French Laundry in Napa, she opts not to, believing that the experience at Single Thread Farms nearby is far more captivating.
India’s focus on individualized experiences results in extraordinary events, such as orchestrating a candlelit dinner in Versailles or brunch atop the Arc de Triomphe. She often pairs meals with opportunities to meet influential personalities, like arranging breakfast with the Hermes family or lunch with the Fendi family in Rome.
Sometimes, however, her clients request more homey comforts. For Bush’s trip to Ethiopia, India ensured he had peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer waiting for him, while he was welcomed by children in Texas Rangers baseball caps.
India’s genuine passion for people is evident in her daily interactions, whether with drivers or restaurant staff, as she seeks the most engaging options for her clients. She believes that the world encompasses more than luxury; it’s about authentic experiences that resonate with her clientele.