Meet Taylor Vater | Gardening, Cooking, & Hosting Enthusiast

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

Hi Taylor, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
One quote that recently stuck with me comes from a podcast I listened to with Jimmy Fallon. He said: “Be nice to people, give when you can, make people smile.” That simple phrase has really become a kind of mantra for me, especially as I’ve started Mountain Millennials. It captures everything I hope to bring to this creative space: kindness, generosity, and a little joy. It’s a reminder to share what I love, connect with others, and hopefully leave people a little happier than I found them.

At its core, Mountain Millennials is about connecting with others through the little things like gardening, cooking, and home projects, and reminding people that learning and creating don’t have to be perfect or polished to be meaningful. I’m teaching while learning myself, sharing what I know and discovering more along the way. If what I post makes someone feel less alone, more inspired, or even just makes them laugh for a second, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
By day, I’m a business consultant working with clients across a wide range of industries to solve complex problems and drive meaningful change. But outside of work, my heart is in acts of service—hosting, cooking, and creating spaces that bring people together. That’s truly my love language.

When my husband and I bought our brick Tudor home in 2023, my mother-in-law, Linda Vater, who’s an incredible gardener, helped me see our yard not just as a patch of grass but as a canvas. Her influence inspired me to lean into gardening, even though I had no clue what I was doing at first. That experience sparked the beginning of Mountain Millennials, my way of sharing the joy, humor, and sometimes messiness of learning as you go.

What sets me apart is that I don’t claim to be an expert – I show up anyway. That’s something I’ve carried over from consulting. Whether you’re diving into a new client or trying to grow your first tomato, progress starts with curiosity, asking the right questions, and being open to learning on the fly. I’m proud of how Mountain Millennials has evolved into a space that’s about connection – through gardening, food, storytelling, and shared experiences.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you don’t have to have it all figured out to get started. I want people to know that I’m just learning along the way and hoping to inspire others to do the same. There’s beauty in trying, in growing, and in not taking yourself too seriously while doing it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We live in Denver, Colorado, and love sharing our favorite local spots when friends visit. We’d start the week with a walk through South Park Hill, admiring gardens on the way to City Park, with a coffee stop at Honey Hill. A visit to the Denver Botanic Gardens is a must – we’re members and always inspired by what’s blooming.

Dinner at Oblio’s for pizza is a neighborhood favorite. We’d take a day trip to Golden for a hike, lunch, and a local brewery stop. Other highlights would include a Rockies game, the art museum, and a backyard dinner to wind down. Denver is full of charm, creativity, and natural beauty – it’s all about good food, fresh air, and quality time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without a doubt, I’d love to dedicate this shoutout to my mother-in-law, Linda Vater of @potagerblog. She is not only family but also one of my greatest mentors. Her passion for gardening is what first inspired me to dig in myself, and her creativity and intentional way of living continue to shape how I approach both my personal and professional life. Linda has supported Mountain Millennials from the very beginning, always offering thoughtful advice, encouragement, and ideas. Her influence shows up in so much of what I do, and I’m incredibly grateful for the guidance and example she sets every day.

Instagram: @mountainmillennials

Youtube: @MountainMillennials