When Jaclyn Sienna India launched her boutique travel concierge service, Sienna Charles, in 2008, she aimed to succeed despite having no clients at the time. Early on, she often responded to inquiries about travel options by claiming to be fully booked with high-net-worth clients, which intrigued numerous potential customers.
Now, 16 years later, her strategy has proven effective. India counts high-profile figures among her clientele, including former President George W. Bush and celebrity Mariah Carey. Her services cater to individuals earning over $100 million annually, presenting a unique challenge: what can she offer clients who seemingly have access to everything?
India emphasizes the importance of care and personal connections over sheer wealth and power. Drawing from her experience as a server for five years, she understands how to cater to her clients’ needs and desires. She maintains relationships with over 2,000 contacts in the hospitality sector, which helps her create impressive travel and dining experiences.
India’s approach is to help clients articulate their visions, even if they lack the resources to realize them. She prides herself on interpreting their desires and delivering tailored experiences. Her goal extends beyond simply accessing luxurious venues; she aims to ensure that each experience is meaningful.
For instance, she doesn’t promote popular venues solely based on their prestige. While she could arrange for clients to dine at the renowned French Laundry in Napa Valley, she prefers recommending experiences she finds more compelling, such as those at Single Thread Farms.
Her expertise has led to extraordinary arrangements, like candlelight dinners in Versailles and brunch atop the Arc de Triomphe. India also seeks to blend culinary experiences with opportunities to meet influential personalities, having organized meals with the Hermes and Fendi families.
At times, her clients desire simpler comforts. For example, when Bush visited Ethiopia, she arranged for him to have peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer, alongside a warm reception from local children in Texas Rangers caps.
India’s dedication to authentic experiences drives her work. She stresses the importance of engaging with everyone she encounters, from cab drivers to restaurant staff, ensuring her clients receive not just luxurious treatments but genuine interactions that enrich their journeys.