When Jaclyn Sienna India founded her boutique travel concierge, Sienna Charles, in 2008, she adopted the mantra “fake it until you make it.”
Sixteen years later, her efforts have borne fruit, transforming her into a sought-after service provider for high-profile clients, including former President George W. Bush and celebrities like Mariah Carey. Catering to those with annual earnings exceeding $100 million, Sienna Charles offers experiences that clients can’t easily arrange for themselves.
“My clients are more powerful than me and know many people, but what gets things done is care and leading from the heart,” India said. Drawing on her five years of experience as a server, she emphasizes the importance of understanding and caring for people.
Sienna Charles maintains an extensive “black book” of over 2000 industry relationships, including yachts, hotels, and high-end restaurants, which allows India to create unique travel and dining experiences. These connections enable her clients to achieve their visions, which they might otherwise lack the tools, time, or creativity to realize.
India’s objective is not just to secure glamorous or exclusive venues but to ensure genuinely worthwhile experiences for her clients. “I don’t think French Laundry in Napa is really that exciting,” she commented, referencing the three-Michelin star California restaurant. Instead, she prefers places like Single Thread Farms, which she finds more intriguing.
She often facilitates one-of-a-kind events, such as candlelight dinners at Versailles or brunches atop the Arc de Triomphe. India also arranges meals paired with interactions with notable personalities, including breakfasts with the Hermes family or lunches with the Fendi family in Rome.
Attention to detail is paramount, as demonstrated when she arranged for Bush to have peanut butter and non-alcoholic beer during his trip to Ethiopia, with a welcome from children wearing Texas Rangers baseball caps.
“I genuinely care about people,” India said. By engaging with everyone from cab drivers to restaurant workers, she uncovers the most interesting options for her clients. Her aim is to provide not just luxury but authentic experiences that her clients will cherish.