Daniel R. Norris

04/06/2026

Super proud to share this project that just went live. 🙏 ⚽

I have been creating websites for almost 25 years and creating this one felt like I was back in 2002 again. Back in my bedroom on my lime green iMac uploading a site for the first time. And here's why....

1. It was local.
This site is for my son's soccer club here in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Pretty much all of my work to date has been outside of Hawaii. Finding ways to use my skills in my community is something I have been wanting to do for a while. Also one of the things I have appreciated about our club is it's genuine connection to Hawaii and Hawaiian culture.

2. It was custom.
This project hit at a time that I have been diving into the potential that AI has to custom code apps in a way I never thought I would be doing. This site is not built on someone else's template. This was fully coded and built by me.

3. It was built on HubSpot.
While I was diving into custom coding this website I wanted to make sure what I was building was on a strong foundation. As well as something that the club could manage on their own going forward. Sustainable and scalable. This is where I think a lot of AI use is going to fail, and where HubSpot is leading so well.

The site still needs filling in with more details from the club but I am excited to be diving back into this world and for the new level of creativity it is unlocking. And if you are needing a custom site or app I would love to hear about your idea.

Check it out ->> https://napokiisoccer.com/

02/25/2026

If CRMs were coffee shops…

Which one are you drinking?

☕Salesforce
☕HubSpot
☕Zoho
☕Spreadsheets

👇

02/17/2026

In SEO, we are programmed to chase the highest traffic keywords. But in real life? The best experiences are usually the "long-tail keywords", the specific, niche spots that aren't trying to rank for everyone.

I was reminded of this during a trip to Los Angeles last year.

LA is the competitive landscape of coffee. There is high-volume "noise" on every corner. But I wasn't looking for the coffee equivalent of a viral post; I was looking for domain authority.

I found it at Maru Coffee Maru Coffee in the Arts District.

It’s quiet. It’s minimalist. And the extraction on their pour-over was technically perfect. It wasn't trying to be the loudest shop in LA, just the best executed.
It was a good reminder that whether you're building a strategy or brewing a cup: Intent matters more than volume.

I finally wrote up my thoughts on why this specific spot stuck with me (and the gear I use to brew their beans back home).

Read my full review of spots I recommend when in LA.

I travel to Los Angeles often for work. From the minimalist perfection of Maru to the industrial vibes of Verve, these are my top 3 coffee spots in DTLA.

01/07/2026

Love espresso but hate losing your entire kitchen counter to a giant machine? ☕️🏠

I get it. I’ve spent years looking for a setup that balances a small footprint with actual café quality. Too many ""compact"" machines feel like toys, lots of plastic, weak pressure, and disappointing shots.

But I finally found the exception.

If you are ready to graduate from pods but don't have the space (or budget) for a massive pro setup, there is one machine that stands above the rest. It features a commercial-grade 58mm portafilter, a real steam wand for latte art, and it actually fits under your cabinets.

Here is why I recommend the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro as the best compact espresso machine for your home. 👇

Short on counter space but refuse to compromise on flavor? Here is why the Gaggia Classic Pro is the best compact espresso machine for your home setup.

01/05/2026

If there is one thing for sure in 2026 you will be hearing a lot more about coffee from me. Don't worry I am not quitting my day job. I love the work I do, I love the organizations and businesses I have the privilege of supporting. It's just this year I feel challenged to be and share more clearly about the things I am passionate about. The things that make me who I am and that have lead to my growth.

So over the next few months I hope to bring more CLARITY around that. Around my messages and what I care about. I hope you will follow along.

Also checkout my latest page on my site. My full guide to my at home Espresso setup.

A reluctant coffee snob's guide to building a durable, repairable, and high-quality espresso setup for the home office.

12/31/2025

Ending 2025 with yet another all time record month on my website. As well as a new milestone of 6000! Continuing to stretch my belief in where it could go in the new year. All thanks to diving more into the world of SEO and being consistent.

If you are interested in learning how I shared each step in my 100% free course. I am also planning to add some new upgrades in the coming weeks.

Get started I less than an hour ->

Everyone says SEO is dead, but that’s not true (yet anyways). What’s really dead are the gimmicks and shortcuts that used to work years ago. The basics of SEO still matter, and if you learn them, you can still get found online.

12/29/2025

While I havent normally had a specific word for a year I did for 2025. It was my 40th year and I felt to grab onto the word CONSISTENCY. Reflecting back on the year and it is amazing how helpful this has been. Not just consistency in everything or anything I do, but consistency in the things I know have brought me growth in my life. This included things like consistently working out, journaling, and scripture reading.

Though one random area of consistency ended up being blogging about random coffee topics and seeing it 20x my website traffic and actually start earning money. While still a small stream of income, one that thankfully means I dont pay for coffee and coffee gear anymore, it has sharpened my marketing and communications skills in so many ways. It has been slowly building muscles that I believe will make next year my strongest yet.

So I am excited for what 2026 has in store for me and my family. I am excited to continue serving some of the most incredible organizations and businesses. And I am excited at what new relationships are still yet to come.

What was your word for 2025 and how did it shape your year?

12/17/2025

“What do I get that work from home, freelancing, coffee snob in my life?”

As a self-proclaimed reluctant coffee snob, I just published a simple gift guide I hope could be helpful. It’s not about trendy mugs or vanilla syrup sets. And you definitely won't hear the words Starbucks or Dunkin. This is about quality tools, thoughtful upgrades, and the kind of beans that actually make a difference.

But more than that, it’s about the value of process.

Because great coffee, like great work, doesn’t happen by accident.
It takes care, patience, and an eye for detail.

If you’re shopping for someone who loves coffee, or becoming that person yourself, his one’s for you:

Need a gift for a coffee nerd? Avoid the eye-roll this year. From fresh Trade Coffee subscriptions to the Gaggia Classic Pro, here is the gear we actually want.

11/26/2025

If you want better coffee at home, you do not need a complicated setup. You just need the right gear.

I put together my recommended Amazon Black Friday coffee setup with the tools I use every morning. Not everything will be on sale, but these are the upgrades that actually make a difference.

Check out the full list here:

Upgrade your at-home coffee setup this Black Friday on Amazon, discover the best gear for brewing better coffee, from grinders to brewers, and how a reluctant coffee snob saved big using Amazon deals.

10/27/2025

With 4 days left in October I just set a new all time website traffic record on my site. How? Well last week I finally finished my a basic free course on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) where I share simple tips anyone can do. All so you don't have to hire anyone to help you do it.

You can get through it and start applying it in less than an hour.
https://www.danielnorris.com/free-seo-course

10/23/2025

Google “reluctant coffee snob” ➡️ Click the top result. ➡️ Read the post. ➡️ Reach out to me about my new SEO course. ➡️ It’s totally free.