Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Herrera.
Hi Taylor, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi 🙂 The true start to our story, really begins with how I grew up and the relationships I’ve developed with food overtime. Water & Oil is based around the beauty of food and community, but the story in which that was possible isn’t extremely traditional. As a child, I was ironically very picky, and my family indulged in a lot of fast food. Sitting around a table was not something we did as a family, and food wasn’t something that was celebrated. As I got older, I taught myself how to cook as a means of getting healthier, but mostly losing weight, which brought its own set of negative associations with foods.
Once I graduated High School I still very much struggled with food in terms of calories and how I perceived myself. But I had gotten the opportunity to travel to Africa, painting murals for non profits, as well as all over Europe and I had to face the anxiety and disordered eating I had developed around food. Once I left home, the world became a lot less about me and a lot more about learning from others. I cant imagine how different those trips would have been without the beauty of food and how differently it reflects in other cultures. There was so much healing found during my travels which has and will stick with me for the rest of my life.
Once I came home, unknowingly, I began to build a wide array of skills from the many experienced and passionate people I began to work, creating a background rooted in design and hospitality. I have always been creative and had wanted to become a full time artist, but quickly realized how difficult that would be. So I made it a point to work jobs that allowed me, in some way or another, to make art, and also make money. I worked for several florists, in incredible Michelin recognized restaurants, learning about beautiful food, local farms, and hospitality. I jumped into interior design/ styling, working for Air bnbs while also learning about property management, and then eventually became an event coordinator. This is where I truly learned the importance of making people feel heard and cared for in the event planning process. It was always more than a job to me. Someone was trusting me with planning one of their life’s most important events, and I had a lot reverence and gratitude toward that.
Starting Water & Oil, at the time, felt as those it just happened, and rather quickly. I saw my husband pursing his dreams and it encouraged me to do the same. I’m so grateful to say his tenacity and hard work has changed me since we met. After many thoughts circling around my heart and dreams, people gathering and everyone feeling welcome to nourish and be nourished was it. I decided last minute my first event was going to be my best friend’s birthday dinner. It was everything all at once and it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. I curated a menu with 5 courses, several craft cocktails, and laid out a beautiful tablescape. One course after the other came out and the reactions, the conversations, the genuine care everyone had at the table for one another, it was all I could have ever wanted.
I used to feel ashamed of how I struggled with food but I see now, like many other things that where painful, it have gave me this true and deep desire to make people feel loved, safe, and cared for. Since I decided to start I truly have not stopped pursuing this mission of gathering that purpose. Shortly after her birthday dinner, I came up with our name in her living room and a few weeks later held my launch party. For someone who’s biggest struggle was the first step, I genuinely cant believe how little I hesitated. And since then, the people who have come along side of us, the many incredible clients we’ve gotten to do events for, the community that Water & Oil has become, and continues to grow into, is something I’m unbelievably proud of and grateful for. This business truly is a reflection of some many others. Our mission statement is everyone is invited to the table, and with the many hands who have helped this business grow, that intention runs deep, and flows out into everything we do.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In terms of challenges, comparison is something I had begun to really struggle with. I am still very much learning and growing, but in the beginning if a client and I where not a perfect fit, I was devastated. Over time, I have been able to understand things with a more holistic approach. When booking an event didn’t work out, I learned something invaluable and there was now space other opportunities to present themselves. Another monumental lesson Ive learned through overcoming comparison, is when someone else is thriving, it does not mean I am not. So much of our foundation is based on intuition and honoring the process with little to no resistance, which for any human being in formation can be a challenge. For example, In the winter, I felt the need to reset and as a business owner that is a difficult thing to do. Around that time the inquires where more than manageable and while I could have allowed myself some rest in-between, I chose to feel bad for my need to slow down, even though it was all made possible for me. Comparison is a big factor of what drove me to worry. I needed to learn that I can do what I need to do, as a person and as a business, while also championing for others unconditionally. Being aligned with seasonality has been an incredible way for me to honor my body, the food I cook with, and they way I conduct business. Comparing, while at first caused me to look around in worry, it has now allowed me to know and connect with these people and businesses I admire. We all have different strengths and capacities and the more connected we become to each other, the more space their is for all of us.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Water & Oil Gatherings?
Water & Oil is a curated dining business where we create experiences for people hoping to sit around a table with seasonal food, craft beverages, and design weaved into every aspect. Our hope is that our community has a business they can trust to make all of these elements come together in a way that is effortless, cohesive, and inspiring. We are most proud of how we utilize what is in season, and our connection to our client to determine the menu and experience. Every menu we have curated has been unique and custom to the guests. We believe what sets us apart is our ability to see all these elements in a holistic way that impacts the experience as a whole, to ensure you feel welcomed, present, and cared for.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love Pinterest as a means of creativity as well as finding images that bring my visions to life. I love to read when I can create the time for it and the action itself I find very romantic. My favorite book as of recently is the Queens Code. I also make it a point to journal every morning to get connected apart from a screen which really helps me relax my mind and become present in my body. Kate Eskuri, and her blog, the foundation blog, is always a thoughtful, but still lighthearted read, and I highly recommend it.
Contact Info:
- Website: waterandoilgatherings.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/waterandoilgatherings
Image Credits
personal photo – Wolfe Creative picture 2 – Jesy Lee Photography picture 3 – Alexandria Zimarik Photography picture 6 – Tipsy Twin Photo Booth All other photos taken by myself
