Meet Anne Letscher | Co-Founder of Her Story Mentorship

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anne Letscher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anne, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always wanted to help young girls better navigate the challenges inherent in growing up female. As a teen, I struggled a lot in finding and knowing my value. That struggle led me down some incredibly unhealthy and unsafe pathways. The one thing that saved me was discovering how to use what I love, acting and singing, to find purpose.

Though I had a successful acting career in my twenties, as I grew older, I desired to have an even greater impact in the world and upon those around me. After the birth of my daughter, I so strongly desired for her to know and believe in her intrinsic worth. I knew I needed to protect and continue to strengthen her sense of self, I just wasn’t sure how. When “The Social Dilemma” aired and unveiled the detrimental effects social media was having on teen girls, I felt afraid. Growing up virtually anonymous in the nineties was hard enough, I couldn’t imagine the pressures and challenges teen girl experiences today. How could I protect them?

During the first year of the pandemic, as teens’ mental health continued to decline, a friend reached out about funding for a mentorship program. She explained how it would help young girls to discover and define purpose with a special focus on entrepreneurship and social media wellness. I was hooked! I called her and asked how I could be involved and then immediately devoted countless hours into the project, over time, helping to shape and develop it. After a year, she asked me to come on as Co-Founder and I happily agreed.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My background is in acting and writing. As I pursued those endeavors, I brought in extra money with Rodan and Fields (where the training I received helped refine my business skills) and co-creating a Broadway Parent and Me music class (where I advanced my entrepreneurial skills). Her Story Mentorship is the melding of all my passions, acquired skills and my greatest value: female equality!

Her Story Mentorship is a mental health initiative. We are a non-profit organization with a mission to strengthen and protect the mental wellness of adolescent girls.

We host digital wellness events for girls to defy social media’s influence and take agency over their digital lives and we provide opportunities for underprivileged girls to create meaningful change in themselves and those around them through our “Experience Entrepreneurship” summer camp programming.

What sets us apart is our focus on purpose. As Willam Damon, Director of Stanford Center of Adolescence, so accurately stated, “Purpose is one of the most important but overlooked aspects of adolescent development. As a parent and educator, you cannot give a child their own sense of purpose. But what you can do is give them the experiences to help them discover their own sense of purpose.” And we do…exactly that.

In September 2022, we officially launched Her Story in NYC schools and the results were incredible. Then, in December the Surgeon General released a statement warning that the teen mental health crises could not be ignored. So…we added a “sister company” called Your Story Mentorship where all teens can access our Experience Entrepreneurship Programming and our Digital Wellness Workshop through licensing.

I want the world to know mental health is of the utmost importance. Growing up is not about checking boxes; it’s about taking the time and space to reflect on what you love, what you’re good at and what you value. Then, using that trifecta, positively impact the world. Defining your purpose doesn’t have to be overwhelming or scary and to know it, gives your life more meaning and fulfillment.

The greatest lesson I continue to learn careerwise is that the journey never looks as you would imagine…and the destination continues to change. Said another way…by Antoine De Saint-Exupery, “As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a mother of two young children so I’m usually in bed by 10 pm and spend my days with child appropriate activities. I can’t say I’m very trendy, but I can say I’m practical! For breakfast in Burbank, I love to hit up Basecamp: coffee and food is great, they have a nature lovers vibe, and a quiet atmosphere. You may even see horses parked out front. If you miss the horses, you can cross the street and take a walk through the Equestrian Center.

If gardens are your thing, you can check out any one of my three favorites around LA: The Huntington Library (with an excellent children’s garden), The Arboretum, and Descanso. They all put on incredible events throughout the summer and during holidays.

Any visit to LA would have to include the beach. If you go on Taco Tuesday you can check out Will Rogers State Beach and then head up PCH for fish tacos.

I’d end the day at Castaways tucked atop the mountains over looking the golf course. The patio provides incredible views of the city and the food is delicious too.

I’d also suggest spending a day at the California Science Center which happens to be right next to the Natural History Museum (also a worthy excursion)…The Science Center is free…you just pay for parking.

If it’s not too hot and you’re up for a bit of a drive…definitely check out Underwood Farms (for berry picking and fun farm adventures) and Vasquez Rocks. It’s great for hiking and rock climbing. Even a beginner can ascend the large slanted rock and feel empowered.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout Out to Jay Shetty, host of the “On Purpose” podcast. He has the best definition of purpose I’ve ever heard: Doing what you love is your passion, using what you love to help others is your purpose. His podcast was the impetus for me to truly define my purpose and he and his guests have been so influential in how I developed the programming for Her Story Mentorship and how I run my business and my life. My husband who tirelessly listens to my ideas, challenges, and successes. His problem- solving brainstorm sessions always yield insightful and helpful ideas. My work soul-mate, Sandy Bassin. She’s a

trusted, brilliant, hard working, compassionate, patient, and honest partner. I feel so lucky to be on this incredible journey together.

Website: www.yourstorymentorship.com

Instagram: @herstory_mentorship

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwub55nYf7M

Other: Email if anyone wants to contact would be anne@herstorymentorship.org

Image Credits
Kimberly Nicole Photo