Sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected places. For Cassidy (Cass) Wendell, Founder of Girl, Get After It (GGAI), inspiration struck during a time of profound personal loss after she lost her dad. At just 22 years old and recently graduated from college, Cass found herself in Bozeman, Montana—a familiar city close to where she grew up, but surrounded by new faces.
Feeling the need for a supportive community to navigate her new chapter, she took matters into her own hands and created one. Recognizing the impact of mental, physical, and emotional well-being on overall health, she understood the central role of community in both personal and professional success.
Since hosting her first event over seven years ago, she’s personally experienced how transformative it can be to feel seen, heard, and supported. Through GGAI, Cass has made it her mission to “empower women all over the world through movement, community, and impact.” The GGAI Community helps women meet new friends and try new things in the health, fitness, and outdoor space through in-person events in 19 cities nationwide growing organically to over 17,000 followers. The feeling of believing in yourself again and inspiring others to do the same is what fuels her success.
But it wasn’t all sunshine from here. The 2020 pandemic significantly impacted GGAI, as in-person events are crucial to its mission. During this stressful time, Cass’s mom grounded her with unforgettable advice:
“Community is a feeling. It’s not tied to a place or a moment in time.”
Building a business alone can be daunting—balancing marketing, content creation, and community management is no small feat. Cass has found that leveraging social media, networking tools, and setting clear time boundaries has helped her create the balance needed to keep moving forward. Funding has also been a challenge, as GGAI is self-funded. Cass has poured time, energy, and personal funds into the business. While she’s grateful for not relying on VC funding, which comes with its own set of problems, running a grassroots organization has its own set of hurdles.
Consistent engagement with community leads has been crucial in scaling her business effectively. With events spanning 19 cities nationwide, connecting with women across the country and selecting ideal venues in each city isn't a solo task. Cass relies on trusted women who share her passion to ensure GGAI’s brand values remain paramount. As a founder, having a supportive community behind you is invaluable—even if it means relinquishing some control.
Creating compelling content and deliverables remains a top priority for Cass. Representing GGAI daily poses its toughest challenges, but she embraces this responsibility with the backing of her community, amplifying their message to a broader audience.
She’s realized that success on social media often hinges on authenticity. Cass recently shared a reel featuring GGAI Bozeman events in the mountains, showcasing yoga, hiking, and a caption inviting like-minded individuals to join their community. This reel garnered nearly 40k views and over 1000 new followers! But behind every viral post lies essential tools like scheduling software, creativity, and daily dedication to content creation.
