By Oscar Lang
Eryn Anitavi has always embraced the unconventional. From founding her first company as a teenager to becoming a force in leadership and executive support, her journey is as dynamic as it is inspiring. Today, as the CEO and Founder of Sapphire Partners, Eryn’s vision extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of business. Under her leadership, Sapphire Partners and its sister venture, The Sapphire Academy, are revolutionizing the way leaders—especially neurodivergent ones—approach work, strategy, and life.
The story of Sapphire Partners began with a simple question at a networking event in 2018: “Could you spare five hours a week to help me with my business?” That single question sparked an idea that would transform not only her life but also the lives of countless entrepreneurs and small business owners. Eryn realized that leaders often find themselves drowning in operational minutiae, unable to focus on their visionary strengths. She set out to create a service that would turn administrative overwhelm into growth opportunities.
Eryn’s approach to leadership isn’t just about efficiency—it’s deeply personal. As an autistic entrepreneur, she understands the unique challenges and extraordinary potential of neurodivergent individuals. She sees neurodivergence not as an obstacle but as a strategic advantage, a perspective that defines her mission. Whether speaking at workshops or developing Sapphire’s Clarity Matrix, a proprietary goal-strategy framework, Eryn ensures that every leader, regardless of their wiring, feels seen, heard, and empowered.
But the road to success hasn’t been without its hurdles. Eryn has faced every challenge a small business owner could imagine—and some that many can’t. From running out of money to dealing with fraudulent employees, her journey has been a masterclass in resilience. “I’ve blown up the company—accidentally—three times,” she admits with a wry smile. “And somehow, we kept coming back.” For Eryn, these challenges aren’t failures; they’re stepping stones. The lessons learned, like hiring slowly and firing fast or distinguishing between abdication and delegation, have shaped her into the leader she is today.
One of her transformative moments came when she discovered stoicism through the book The Obstacle Is the Way. It shifted her mindset entirely, teaching her to embrace hardship as a catalyst for growth. “Leadership never gets easier; it just gets more public,” she says, a reflection of her hard-earned wisdom.
Eryn’s focus on neurodivergence is more than a personal philosophy; it’s a business imperative. Sapphire Partners is uniquely positioned to support neurodivergent leaders, offering tailored executive support with over 250 service options and a blend of AI, automation, and human expertise. The company’s innovative methodologies, including a predictive energy management algorithm currently in development, are designed to help leaders operate in their brilliance. “When you build for the minority, you make it better for the majority,” Eryn explains.
This philosophy extends to The Sapphire Academy, which trains the next generation of executive support professionals. Eryn sees this as a critical step in her mission to redefine leadership. “Venture capital and angel investors must require leaders to hire executive support as a condition of investment,” she argues. It’s a bold stance but one that reflects her commitment to elevating the role of executive support in driving business success.
Eryn’s career highlights are as varied as her interests. From selling her first company at 19 to optioning a screenplay in Hollywood, her accomplishments reflect a fearless pursuit of her passions. Yet, it’s the smaller, deeply personal milestones that resonate most with her: the first time she put herself on payroll, the first client testimonial she received, or the decision to move her team from contractors to full employees. Each moment represents a step toward building a life—and a business—rooted in integrity and purpose.
Looking ahead, Eryn’s ambitions are as expansive as her ideas. She envisions Sapphire Partners growing to support neurodivergent leaders globally while The Sapphire Academy trains more executive support professionals. She dreams of launching Sapphire Technologies, an AI-powered venture that will revolutionize predictive energy management. And then there’s the Sapphire Castle—a retreat center in Europe that desires to be both an employee benefit and a testament to her big vision.
At the heart of it all is Eryn’s belief that leadership is about empowering others. Her message is clear: no visionary should feel like they’re “too much,” and no big idea should be abandoned. Whether on a global stage or through her team’s daily work, Eryn Anitavi is redefining what it means to lead with brilliance.
Published by Mark V.
