Iowa State Student Balances College With Dance Business
A student in Ames manages a 35-person dance studio while maintaining a full-time academic schedule.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Dancing
Iowa State student Sadie Roskens currently balances her college coursework with the operation of her dance studio, Sadies Dance Co. She manages this business while pursuing roles in digital media and fashion content creation.
Why it matters
Managing a small business alongside a full academic load highlights the challenges and opportunities students face when balancing professional development and personal passions during college.
Sadies Dance Co currently serves 35 students with the help of one employee, marking a growth trajectory from the 8 students Roskens taught during her high school freshman year. The long-term impact of this business expansion on her remaining three years of college remains to be seen.
The players
Sadie Roskens
An Iowa State student who operates a local dance studio and creates fashion content while pursuing a college degree.
Sadies Dance Co
A dance studio based in Iowa that currently serves 35 students.
The details
Roskens operates Sadies Dance Co by teaching dance classes once a week in addition to overseeing the studio's general administration. Beyond her studio, she produces fashion and lifestyle content for TikTok and manages social media for a local boutique. Her professional profile also includes serving as a photo shoot lead for a magazine club and working with a church social media team to build connections on campus.
Timeline
8th grade: Roskens began teaching dance to a family friend's daughter.
Freshman year: Roskens taught eight girls while balancing high school activities.
2026: Roskens hired an employee for her dance studio.
Health Landscape
This profile reflects a broader trend of students integrating professional entrepreneurship into their academic lives before graduation. It highlights the shifting balance of extracurricular development for college-aged adults.
Balancing significant external responsibilities with college academics requires intentional focus on time management and stress recovery. Students navigating similar paths should prioritize consistent rest and consult with academic advisors to ensure their workload remains sustainable.
The takeaway
Effective time management is a critical skill for students who choose to operate businesses while maintaining a full course load. Maintaining a routine that balances physical activity with academic responsibilities can help support long-term wellness during intense school years.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of movement and personal development, visit our Dancing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Iowa State Daily.
