Meet Daniel Hare | Founder CR Citrus

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

Hi Daniel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
CR Citrus began as a hobby-a way to work on knife skills, learn how to use my Traeger, and share amazing flavors. And for the first few years this was the plan. Friends would bring citrus from their backyards and I would do R/D on the spot-
it was comfortable yet exciting.

As was the case for many, COVID shifted everything. I wanted to try something new and had the time and ambition to venture out. In April 2020, I had my first sale and soon realized the desire for smoked citrus had national appeal.

The first few months were a healthy blend of excitement and craziness-I would hustle to fill orders then run out of fruit. A chance connection with a California citrus farmer changed all of this-ensuring that I would have access to fruit.

I’ve never been too deliberate about recording all elements of the thought process-it’s been organic and fluid. Given this, I value that the incremental growth has maintained creative roots.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was meant to work with people. Early in my working life that meant Hospitality (Bars, Restaurants, and Hotels). After many fundamental years in this lane I found myself drawn to the classroom. For 26 years I was an educator who took great pride in connecting with students while promoting creativity and curiosity. It was a great ride until it became consumed by overbearing expectations with limited support.

2020 afforded me the opportunity to reevaluate how to spend my days while finding meaningful ways to connect with people. I’m happy to say that I found my purpose in a smoked slice of citrus and haven’t looked back.

I used to note that I had 15+ jobs before I became a teacher. Literally any work I could find (from driving a cab to painting lines in a parking lot). Having many different types of jobs informs your work ethic and perspective. My challenges were finding a career that matched my skill set with my passion. For a time that was teaching now I find it in building CR Citrus.

In my quest to build a brand I have learned so much. For many years, I thought I could do it by myself. It wasn’t a control thing but rather a sense of “why shouldn’t I do it myself” to save cost. As I have brought on a handful of very talented people to help me do my thing-I am reminded of how necessary they are to the growth of the brand.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve lived here for 17 years and still have parts of town that I’m totally unfamiliar with. LA can be overwhelming, I recommend compartmentalizing the city. Here’s a rough sketch of what to do if they were staying in Pasadena;

Day One:
Hike Eaton Canyon
Coffee Unincorporated Coffee
Lunch Little Flower Cafe
Walk around Old Town
Visit Huntington Gardens
Dinner: grab some pasta from Ferrazani’s Pasta
Cook at home and hang

Day Two:
Head downtown
lunch at Phillippes
slow walk through Union Station and Olvera Street
jaunt over to Grand Central Market
grab a snack at Villa’s Tacos
head to Mirate for cocktails and snacks

Day Three:
Morning walk
Drive to Manhattan Beach
Walk around town
grab some lunch
hit the Original Farmer’s Market
walk around The Grove
head to Griffith Park-walk around
early dinner at Momed

Day Four:
morning walk around the Rose Bowl
lunch in Highland Park at Highly Likely
walk/shop around Highland Park
catch a Dodger’s afternoon game
dinner in Silverlake

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
(Love that this part of the process)

My extended family:

My wife Jodie:
Simply put, my rock and most important person in my life. She has seen me at the highs/lows of my previous vocation (teacher) and helped me navigate my emotional challenges in and out of the classroom. She now sees me a with a renewed energy and perspective, all made possible through her. My journey isn’t possible without my Jodes.

My dudes:
My teenage sons inspire me to take risks while keeping me young. They are the future of positive vibes as they teach me, make me laugh, and show me love each day.

My Mom Sue:
My Mom taught me how to love life, cook, and pursue creative endeavors. She has been an early and consistent supporter of my journey in all of these areas. I am thankful for her belief in me and the love we share.

My Dad Dicky:
My Old Man never stopped selling and he knew how to read people and situations. He knew the importance of rising above “cheap sales talk” by connecting with customers on an honest level. I am inspired to do his work but in my way.

My Sisters Min and Mo:
My first friends, we navigated our early lives together and they taught me so much. As life happens (the few years have been a doozy) we have fostered a bond that is stronger and more complete. I truly know how much they have been there for their little brother.

My Mentor Christine:
We met 16 years ago and were instantly close. She is a force in the world of hospitality and continually provides me with guidance, perspective, and affirmation as I enter into this world.

My Team:
For a couple years, it seemed that I put my hands on every piece of fruit from grove to glass. About nine months ago, it became clear that the future of CR Citrus was contingent on building a team.
So thank you to all of you who have made this possible;

Justin: the man in the field with equal parts faith, vision, and patience
Nick: my right-hand man who shares my enthusiasm
Karl: the creator and the facilitator, you are 1/1 brother
Susie: the creative heartbeat and embodiment of positive vibes
Kathy: always searching for the next collab and good people to meet.
Jimmy: my man in TX poised to bring Ruby Reds to the masses

Website: https://www.crcitrus.com

Instagram: @smokinconnie