Craig Honick

Craig Honick is a seasoned entrepreneur, advisor, and educator with a passion for innovation and consumer insights. With a career spanning multiple industries, Craig has built a reputation for his ability to distill complex ideas into clear, actionable strategies.

Professional Achievements

Craig was the founder of Firstuse.com, the world’s first online registry for digital files, which was venture-backed during the golden dot-com era. Firstuse.com established the veracity of claims as to when ideas and activity were first committed to digital form — a service now accomplished via blockchain. He has also served as an advisor to several startups, including Kaleo, a venture-backed startup from Bill Gross' IdeaLab, and KnowMe, a company disrupting the hiring marketplace with video-forward solutions. Currently, Craig advises Second Act Financial, a niche online bank and financial wellness community for individuals navigating major life transitions.

Current Endeavors

Craig is Founder/Principal advisor of The Good People Research Company, a next-generation social research and advisory firm. Staffed with experts in both ethnographic research and brand story development, the company helps consumer brands, nonprofits, and NGO's build trust and credibility by aligning them with their customers' lived experience. He is actively developing a new, AI-driven approach to building an organization’s brand equity and customer lifetime value, which has the potential to spin off from the firm into a startup. He also served as the Board Chair of the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) and continues to mentor entrepreneurs through various programs, including the iLab at UVA.

Teaching and Thought Leadership

Craig has taught entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, where he led the course "Startup: Intro to Entrepreneurship." He also delivered a comprehensive report on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in GO Virginia Region 9, providing actionable recommendations for building a robust and localized entrepreneurial ecosystem across 11 counties.

Skills and Expertise

Craig’s expertise spans consumer insights, organizational culture, and audience segmentation. He is particularly skilled at helping organizations reduce complex ambitions into concise, impactful strategies. His ability to connect with founders and provide actionable advice has made him a sought-after mentor and advisor.

What Sets Craig Apart

Craig’s unique ability to simplify and clarify complex ideas is a hallmark of his approach. As he puts it, "I am good at reducing your current legacy into one sentence." His deep understanding of consumer behavior and organizational dynamics allows him to provide valuable insights that drive growth and innovation.

Connect with Craig

Learn more about Craig Honick and his work by visiting his LinkedIn profile or exploring his report on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Darden students and i.Lab founders can book a session with Craig.