For Katie and Flip Croft-Caderao, Teresa of Ávila (a Carmelite nun and prominent Spanish mystic) has long been a saint of significance. Katie explains what she means to the couple: “We both love the writings and poetry of the mystics, and Saint Teresa is one of our favorites. We named our daughter Avila, after the saint’s beautiful hometown in Spain. She is known as Avi for short. Avi ended up being born, unplanned by us, on the feast day of Saint Teresa (October 15th), adding magic and affirmation to her name. At three years old, Avi herself is a magical, mystical, and spunky little person!”

Picking up the couple’s story, Flip continues: “We met at SMU and, apart from a brief time in Houston and Phoenix, have nestled in this part of Dallas ever since. Katie and I met when I was a leader at her SMU orientation camp for first-year students. We had a close friendship for many years that blossomed into more when Katie came back to SMU for graduate school.”

A serial entrepreneur, Flip’s current venture is Cali Sober, a legal THC-infused mocktail. “It's a hemp product, which makes it legal, and it contains THC, which is the cannabinoid in cannabis that causes euphoria – meaning these drinks gets you high,” he explains. “Cali Sober is a healthier lifestyle that replaces alcohol for plant medicines like THC.” Flip also co-founded Goodekind, a family-owned, direct-to-consumer shop known for their organic gummies, which also reflects his passion for creating hemp and cannabis products. Goodekind is also a social enterprise, donating a portion of their profits to human rights initiatives.

Cali Sober’s vintage pink van is a distinctive sight in the M Streets: “I park Brandi (the van’s 90’s moniker) outside our house and people think there is a band hanging out with us!” he says. “Cali Sober is definitely a Lower Greenville brand - we were born in the M Streets and we’re sold at all of the neighborhood favorites: The Corner Market, Stan’s Blue Note, Dodies, Truck Yard, Moon Taxi and we’re at the Lower Greenville pop-up market every weekend.”

Co-founder of a group therapy practice, Katie is a psychologist who also runs her own business. “After I earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology from SMU, I started Dallas CBT, which stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I work with an incredible team of psychologists who specialize in evidence-based therapy for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, among other mental health challenges. Dallas CBT is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year.”

The couple loves their neighborhood, as Flip confirms, “we love the great community, its walkability, and the proximity to lower Greenville. It is one of the best areas in Dallas!” You will often find Avi on the stoop of her Tudor, trying to make friends with any neighbors (and babies in strollers) walking by, or dominating the monkey bars at Glencoe Park. Their two dogs, Lupe and Keller, both rescues, complete the family.

The entire family loves walking down Worcola Street or having impromptu dance parties in their home. Describing a favorite thing to do with his daughter, Flip notes: “We have a short walk to Mockingbird station, which gives us access to anywhere in the city. Avi and I both love riding the DART train. We have many ‘daddy daughter’ days out to explore together!”

PULL QUOTE:

"We love the great community, its walkability, and the proximity to lower Greenville. It is one of the best areas in Dallas!”