SPRINGFIELD — A college assignment has turned into a successful business for an Urbana couple.

Kevin and April Shockey, owners of Lost Nation Board shop, were in their last semester of college when they were required to create, on paper, a business model. The couple, who used to snowboard together in high school, decided to base their model business on a fictitious skate/snowboard shop in their hometown of Urbana.

After graduation, they looked at the paper again. “We said, ‘you know, this thing could actually work,’ ” Kevin Shockey said. They called it Lost Nation and opened shop on U.S. 68 in Urbana.

Two-and-a-half years later and with 2-year-old son, Mason, in tow, the couple have now moved the shop to the Upper Valley Mall.

“We wanted a larger floor plan and a higher amount of traffic,” Shockey said early Monday. “We’re advertising by word of mouth. People are really happy we’re here.”

Lost Nation’s niche merchandise gives shoppers more local variety — and another reason to do all their shopping close to home, said Upper Valley Mall Manager Brenda LaBonte.

“It’s a kind of merchandise we’ve not had before,” LaBonte said. “We’re very excited to have them here.”

Lost Nation is the second-closest snowboard shop to Mad River Mountain in Bellefontaine, Shockey said. He and April started wakeboarding last summer and have now added wakeboarding equipment to the shop.

The shop also offers sport-appropriate, shoes, boots, sunglasses and apparel.

“We’re carrying more women’s items than we did before,” he said.

The Shockeys not only share their love for skateboarding through the store but in the community as well — Kevin designed the skateboard park at Melvin Miller Park in Urbana and is already working with the newly created 4-H Skateboard Club in Springfield.

Barely a year old, the 4-H skateboard club has increased from seven to nearly 40 members, Shockey said.

“The club will put a positive light on skateboarding,” he said. “It’s a great sport, anyone can do it. And the nice thing is there is no right or wrong way to skateboard, it’s just an expression of yourself.”

Parents can snag a decent board for their skateboarder for around $79, he said. More expensive boards are in the $130 to 140 range. “And of course customized boards can go much higher.”

Two-year-old Mason, who “helps” his daddy out in the store a few days a week, is already getting the hang of the sport but was too shy — even when his dad offered him a cookie — to demonstrate his skills on Monday.

“With proper padding, it’s really safer than any team sport,” Shockey said.

Lost Nation is open regular mall hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays with extended holiday hours.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.