Dan Norris

Dan Norris is a notable Australian entrepreneur, best known for his role as a co-founder of Black Hops Brewing, a rapidly growing craft beer company. He served as the CEO until July 2022, during which he played a pivotal role in expanding the brewery from its inception to three locations on the Gold Coast and one in Brisbane, employing over 70 staff and generating more than $16 million in turnover.12

Career Highlights

• Entrepreneurship: Norris began his entrepreneurial journey in 2006 after leaving a government job to start a web agency. He later founded WP Curve, a WordPress support service that he successfully grew and sold to GoDaddy in a multi-million dollar deal.23
• Black Hops Brewing: Co-founding Black Hops in 2015, Norris was instrumental in its growth and innovation, including brewing the world's first beer for the popular video game franchise Call of Duty. The brewery has received multiple accolades, including being named Australia's Champion Small Brewery at the Australian International Beer Awards.24
• Authorship and Speaking: Norris is also an accomplished author, with six Amazon best-selling books focused on business and marketing. He is recognized as an international speaker, sharing insights on entrepreneurship and digital marketing.45

Recent Developments

In February 2023, it was announced that Norris stepped down from his role at Black Hops to allow for new leadership under Nathan Hyde. Despite leaving his executive position, he remains a shareholder and co-founder of the brewery, expressing his ongoing commitment to its success.13 Following his departure, Norris has ventured into new projects, including launching East Coast Roast Coffee, indicating a continued passion for entrepreneurship within the food and beverage sector.67

Personal Insights

Norris has openly discussed the emotional challenges associated with leaving Black Hops, describing it as a significant part of his identity. He expressed a desire to remain connected to the industry while exploring new opportunities that align with his interests in technology and content creation.34