DONALDSON – If you haven’t heard about long boards, you’re probably just not cool enough.
Thankfully, Ancilla College’s Assistant Professor John Gough is cool enough
When Andrew Huff started taking Gough’s business classes, Gough knew Huff & Puff Board Co. was ready for the next level.
Huff, a sophomore graduating from Ancilla College this spring with an A.S. in business administration, will begin selling his long boards at Culver Marina and Outpost Sports on Grape Road in Mishawaka, IN, he said.
Huff learned his woodworking skills starting at the Elkhart Area Career Center where he built a house through the building trades program, he said. From there he decided to buy his own wood working equipment. Huff purchased his own press, planer and band saw, “his baby,” he said.
Long boards are skateboards that are greater in size than traditional boards and offer more traction and stability. Huff has added to his product base a land paddle for a newer trend similar to the watersport paddle boarding, but for sidewalk transportation.
His boards, many of which are custom made, are created from 100 percent reclaimed wood from area cabinet makers and other businesses, Huff said. “They really stand out.”
“It’s all their scraps. They’re either going to throw it away or burn it. So I’m doing them a favor,” Huff said.
At Ancilla College, Gough’s Managerial Accounting and Marketing class, Huff said, “Took it to the next level.”
In addition to learning how to create a break-even analysis and business and marketing plans, Huff said he learned the terms needed in business. “He taught me the steps it took to become a legitimate business.”
Gough said, “It’s enjoyable having a student with high academic capabilities integrated with an entrepreneurial spirit. He’s Halley’s Comet.”
Gough introduced Huff to local business owners who were “stoked” about the long boards and paddles, he said.
Huff also sells his custom work online at http://huffpuffboardco.com/ and out of his shop, 2489 St. Rd. 331 Bremen. He can be reached at (574) 248-5371.
