3 minute read
Meet the Trovatos: A Homegrown Success Story
www.NorthgateLivingCA.com @NorthgateLivingCA #NorthgateLivingCA
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991
The Trovato family story is a heart-warming and familiar one, a testament to the love so many of us have for the Northgate neighborhood. A boy and a girl, both growing up in Northgate, meet in high school. They become friends but leave their hometown for college and careers. Years later they cross paths again and a romance is born. They marry and settle in their childhood neighborhood to raise their own family and continue to have a positive impact on the community.
When Joe and Katie first met in 1998 at Northgate High School, Katie knew Joe was “the one,” but the practical, level-headed girl left for Sonoma State University to pursue her college dreams. She completed her undergraduate degree in Communications in three years and went right to work in corporate sales, having a successful career for over a decade.
Meanwhile, Joe attended Saint Mary’s College in Moraga and received his BS in Economics and Business Administration. Using his calm, unflappable style of leadership, he has made a 15-year career with Lennar Homes, a builder and developer.
Katie and Joe bumped into each other again, in downtown Walnut Creek in 2005. They’ve been together ever since and married in 2012 in the beautiful chapel at Saint Mary’s College.
With the birth of their son Anthony in 2014, Katie decided to stay home and put her creative talents to use in new ways. She started Mini Me Play and Learn, a successful childcare and preschool she runs from her home where many neighborhood children have been cared for and loved! She is known in the neighborhood as the lady with the very long blue stroller and can be seen taking the preschoolers to the park, library, bagel shop, pet store, ARF and the local fire station.
Katie is also known as the “Simplify Your Life” lady. Keeping a house full of children engaged while maintaining an organized home requires a certain amount of skill. Katie went further and embraced the minimalist lifestyle. She now helps others cut through clutter, simplify and provides solutions to create beautiful spaces with her business, Simple Minimalist Life. “The more cluttered the house, the more excited I get,” says Katie.
The busy entrepreneur and mom also understands the importance of self-care. She enjoys Village Community Yoga and going to Ecstatic Dance in Oakland, a place where you can express yourself through dance. During Joe’s free time, you’ll find him building and fixing all things from mechanics to home improvement and renovations. He recently installed a merry-go-round in their yard and dreams of retiring on a fishing boat.
Five-year-old Anthony, a TK student at Valle Verde Elementary, lives and breathes Legos as well as enjoys playing and watching sports (Warriors, 49ers and Oakland A’s) with Dad, shooting hoops and taking hikes with Mom, building things and getting messy with mud! Anthony also has a ton of fun playing soccer at Arbolado Park with Kidz Love Soccer, a Walnut Creek Recreation program.
Katie runs Mini Me Play and Learn and is often seen in the neighborhood with her big blue stroller.
Although the family does not have any pets, Mini Me Play and Learn has fostered pets ranging from rabbits to guinea pigs and fish. Katie hopes to one day foster a mini pig!
Last year the Trovatos took their first family trip to Italy. A special moment was when Joe and Anthony shared a Sicilian tradition. “Just like Joe’s late father did with Joe, Joe gifted Anthony his first gold chain necklace to grow into as a man,” says Katie. “Even though the chain may look ridiculous on him now, you’d swear Anthony was the Godfather if you passed him on the street!”
Like other families who grew up in Northgate and now are raising their children here, the Trovatos have a deep sense of love for this community. There was an instant connection to their neighbors and their home on Stinson Circle, the very same street Joe grew up on. As Joe says, “We feel like we hit the jackpot living here in Diablo Shadows with the beautiful hills and great hiking paths just minutes away.”
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at knavolio@bestversionmedia.com.
