By Oscar Lang
Leadership often feels like navigating uncharted waters. Eryn Anitavi, CEO and Founder of Sapphire Partners, has built a lighthouse for visionary leaders—especially those navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of neurodivergence. From humble entrepreneurial beginnings at age 10 to creating a multifaceted empire of support, Anitavi has crafted a blueprint for success that marries innovation, empathy, and an unapologetic drive for excellence.
Sapphire Partners, founded in 2018, has become a premier service for executive support, delivering a trifecta of human expertise, AI-driven tools, and bespoke strategies to help leaders thrive. Yet, as Anitavi explains, the heart of her work is about something much deeper: “No big vision should be abandoned, and no visionary should feel like they’re ‘too much.’”
The Spark Behind the Sapphire
The genesis of Sapphire Partners began at a networking event with an innocuous question: “Could you spare five hours a week to help me with my business?” That simple ‘yes’ set Anitavi on a path that would transform countless leaders’ lives. By turning mundane administrative tasks into strategic opportunities, Sapphire Partners empowers clients to focus on what she calls their “brilliance.”
But the journey wasn’t without its share of pitfalls. From running out of money to dealing with employees who forged timecards, Anitavi faced obstacles that would have sent most leaders packing. “Leadership never gets easier,” she reflects. “It just gets more public.”
Her turning point came during a rainy Seattle afternoon while processing payroll for her growing team. The weight of responsibility struck her with a clarity she describes as both terrifying and transformative. “I realized this wasn’t a game anymore. It was time to take things seriously or step off the stage. I chose to take it seriously.”
The Sapphire Difference
What sets Sapphire Partners apart isn’t just the innovative services or the Clarity Matrix goal strategy system that’s gaining traction as the next EOS. It’s Anitavi’s relentless commitment to supporting neurodivergent leaders and fostering inclusivity. “When you build for the minority, you make it better for the majority,” she explains.
Her firm’s unique approach blends fixed subscription pricing, over 250 customizable services, and groundbreaking tools like a predictive energy management algorithm currently in development. This isn’t just executive support—it’s a revolution in how leaders approach growth and resilience.
For Anitavi, this focus on neurodivergence is personal. As an autistic visionary, she understands the superpowers—and the kryptonite—of neurodivergent minds. “You don’t get to accept the superpower without also accepting the kryptonite,” she says. “For yourself or for your team.”
Lessons in Leadership
Anitavi’s leadership journey is punctuated by stories that are equal parts inspiring and outrageous. She once broke her ankle wrestling Vikings, only to travel to Paris three weeks later in a wheelchair. She’s undergone surgery without anesthesia, skated 27 miles in an endurance challenge, and spent years saying ‘yes’ to irrational fears just to see where the path would lead.
“I’ve made every mistake you can imagine,” she admits. “But from failure, we learn. From success… not so much.” These lessons have shaped Sapphire Partners’ ethos, from hiring slow and firing fast to ensuring that every client and team member operates at the speed of life.
One of her guiding principles is that the team is the most important client. “You can replace a client; it’s far more difficult to replace a team member,” she explains. This philosophy drives every decision, from employee benefits to the ambitious dream of establishing the Sapphire Castle in Europe—a retreat center for her team and clients.
Speaking to the Future
Today, Anitavi is expanding her influence beyond Sapphire Partners. Through public speaking engagements and workshops, she addresses topics like leadership, neurodivergence, and the transformative power of executive support. Her talks are an inspiring call to action for leaders to embrace their unique qualities and build businesses that reflect their values.
Her ultimate vision? To create a world where visionary leaders are seen, heard, and empowered to bring their innovations to life. Whether it’s through the Sapphire Academy, which trains aspiring executive support professionals, or her forthcoming AI tools under Sapphire Technologies, Anitavi’s impact is poised to be global.
A Legacy in the Making
With Sapphire Partners thriving and new ventures on the horizon, Eryn Anitavi’s journey is far from over. She dreams of publishing books, launching virtual reality projects, and even revitalizing dying malls. Her entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with a deep sense of purpose, ensures that every step she takes leaves a mark.
As she often says, “Work in your brilliance. Build a life you don’t need a vacation from.” And for leaders looking to chart their own path, there’s no better guide than Anitavi and her Sapphire brand—a beacon of hope, innovation, and unyielding determination.
Published by Iris S.
