Sometimes the business you end up building isn’t the one you planned.
It’s the one you needed.
In Episode 142 of Mountain Mule Media, I sit down with Cassidy Van Orden, founder of Girl Get After It, to talk about grief, entrepreneurship, community, and what it really means to build something that changes people’s lives. What started as a single yoga event in Bozeman has grown into a nationwide community with chapters in more than 20 cities, adventure retreats, and thousands of women finding connection simply by showing up.
Listen on:
It Started With Loss
Cassidy didn’t start Girl Get After It because she had a perfect business plan.
After losing her father at 23, she found herself searching for community during one of the hardest seasons of her life. When she couldn’t find exactly what she needed, she decided to create it herself.
That first event was a simple yoga class.
Nearly 50 women showed up, most of them complete strangers. By the end of the evening, people were already asking when the next event would be.
Without realizing it, Cassidy had uncovered something so many people were looking for.
Community Is the Product
At first glance, Girl Get After It looks like an outdoor adventure company.
There are hikes, ski days, fitness classes, retreats, and social events.
But those activities aren’t really the product.
They’re the excuse.
The real mission is creating spaces where people can build genuine friendships and meaningful community. Whether someone comes for one event or becomes part of the organization for years, the goal is always the same: helping people feel like they belong.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Like many entrepreneurs, Cassidy reached a point where growth became the goal.
New cities.
New chapters.
More opportunities.
Eventually she realized that adding more wasn’t necessarily making the business better.
Instead, she shifted her focus toward strengthening the communities they had already built and making each experience more meaningful. It’s a perspective that applies far beyond this business.
Sometimes success isn’t measured by how fast you grow.
Sometimes it’s measured by the depth of the relationships you create.
Building a Business Around What Matters
One part of the conversation that really resonated with me was Cassidy’s willingness to evolve.
For a period of time, merchandise became a major focus of the business.
The sales were there.
The growth was there.
But the work itself wasn’t fulfilling.
She realized she had drifted away from the reason she started Girl Get After It in the first place, so she changed course. Today the focus is back where it belongs: creating experiences that bring people together.
You’re More Than What You Build
Toward the end of our conversation, Cassidy shared something I think a lot of entrepreneurs can relate to.
For years, people didn’t know her as Cassidy.
She was simply “the Girl Get After It girl.”
Over time, she realized how important it was to build an identity outside of her business. Having hobbies, relationships, and interests beyond work didn’t make her less committed. It made her a healthier person and ultimately a better leader.
It’s an important reminder that while businesses are meaningful, they should never become our entire identity.
Learn More
Website: girlgetafterit.com
Instagram: @girlgetafterit
Mountain Mule Media
Mountain Mule Media exists to build real connection between Montana’s businesses and the people they serve.
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