Meet Tikia (Tee) Roach of Sultry Dreams Pole and Dance Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tikia (Tee) Roach.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in South Central Los Angeles and attended Crenshaw High School, not far from where my studio now sits in Baldwin Hills. Both of my parents are from Barbados, and I’m the fifth of seven siblings. Growing up, I was always active — I played sports throughout school and loved being an athlete. After graduating from California State University, Northridge, I followed a more traditional path and entered the workforce. But everything shifted when I was invited to the grand opening of a local pole studio. That night, I purchased a class package, and from my very first class, I knew I had found something special. I began attending classes almost every day, falling deeper in love with the art of pole and the way it allowed me to express myself.
Pole dancing quickly became more than a workout — it became therapy, an outlet, and a source of confidence I didn’t even know I had. With time and dedication, I honed my skills enough to become an instructor, and I spent 10 years teaching, guiding, and empowering students while also building my own business through private lessons and parties.
Eventually, that passion grew into a bigger vision: creating a space of my own. That’s when Sultry Dreams Pole and Dance Studio was born. My mission is to build a community that welcomes people from all backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life — a space where they can gain the same inspiration, confidence, and freedom that pole once gave me as a beginner. Opening my studio in the very community where I grew up has been a full-circle blessing. To bring empowerment, artistry, and connection back home isn’t just an achievement — it’s my privilege and my purpose.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth ride. Being a female entrepreneur is already challenging, but balancing that while working a full-time job and essentially doing everything on my own has been one of the hardest parts of this journey. I don’t have support from family or a partner, so the responsibility of making this studio thrive falls completely on my shoulders. I still work full-time as an adjudicator for the State of California, and I have to in order to keep the studio going — to keep the lights on, the doors open, and the community supported. After leaving my 9-to-5, I head straight to the studio, where I wear every hat imaginable: instructor, owner, receptionist, and manager. It’s exhausting at times, but it’s also deeply rewarding. Opening the studio itself came with a steep learning curve. No one told me what permits I needed, or the procedures for opening a pole studio, so I had to figure out everything as I went. It took me an entire year just to get the proper permits. Along the way, I dealt with contractors, court proceedings, and countless unexpected hurdles. There were definitely moments when it felt overwhelming, but I pushed through. Even now, the challenges don’t stop — finding the right instructors, learning how to be a boss, and building a team that shares my vision is still an ongoing process. But despite the struggles, we’ve been steadily growing and building momentum. Every obstacle has made me stronger, and every small victory reminds me why I started this in the first place. So while it hasn’t been smooth sailing, it’s been worth it. This studio isn’t just a business — it’s my passion, my purpose, and my way of giving back to the community that raised me.

We’ve been impressed with Sultry Dreams Pole and Dance Studio , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As the owner, operator, and instructor at Sultry Dreams Pole and Dance Studio, my mission is to bring a fresh and empowering form of wellness, fitness and self-expression to the Baldwin Hills community. Pole dancing is at the heart of what we do, but our studio offers so much more. We provide chair dance classes, yoga, and step classes, in addition to pole. We also host pole parties, offer pole rentals, and provide private event rentals for those who want to use our space for other activities or organizations.Pole and movement arts are powerful tools for wellness. They build strength, increase flexibility, and create a fun, dynamic alternative to traditional exercise routines like going to the gym or walking in the park. What I love most is that these practices are for everyone. We welcome people of all ages and walks of life — from students just starting their journey to professionals like judges, lawyers, nurses, teachers, and beyond. It’s open to women and men alike, and the benefits extend far beyond the physical. Pole and movement arts are powerful tools for wellness. They build strength, increase flexibility, and create a fun, dynamic alternative to traditional exercise routines like going to the gym or walking in the park. What I love most is that these practices are for everyone. We welcome people of all ages and walks of life — from students just starting their journey to professionals like judges, lawyers, nurses, teachers, and beyond. It’s open to women and men alike, and the benefits extend far beyond the physical.
Pole and dance classes help people discover a deeper confidence — in their bodies, their sexuality, and their overall sense of self. My vision for Sultry Dreams is to create not only a fitness studio, but a true community hub: a space where people feel empowered, supported, and inspired. By offering such a range of classes and events, we’re giving Baldwin Hills a unique place for movement, wellness, and expression that celebrates diversity in every form.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Good and bad luck have both played a role in my journey to becoming the owner of my own pole studio. On the “bad luck” side, I faced serious financial hardships both before and during the pandemic, including a large amount of student loan debt. To make things more difficult, I also experienced a period of disability that prevented me from dancing and teaching — something that had always been such an important part of my life. Those moments were incredibly challenging, and they could have easily derailed my dream.But with bad luck also came good luck, perseverance, and determination. During the pandemic, I had the chance to refocus, save, and put in the overtime hours needed to climb out of financial hardship and invest in myself. It gave me the motivation to open my own studio, even while continuing to work full-time. I consider myself lucky to not only be healthy again and able to return to dance, but also to have been able to create a business that allows me to share my passion with others. But with bad luck also came good luck, perseverance, and determination. During the pandemic, I had the chance to refocus, save, and put in the overtime hours needed to climb out of financial hardship and invest in myself. It gave me the motivation to open my own studio, even while continuing to work full-time. I consider myself lucky to not only be healthy again and able to return to dance, but also to have been able to create a business that allows me to share my passion with others.

Pricing:

• Intro Class Special (5 classes) $40 exp 45 days
• Single Class $25 expires in 30 days
• 1.5 HRS Pole Party $285 w/ up to 12 guests. Food, Drinks, and Decorations allowed
• 6 Class Bundle $125 expires in 45 days of purchase
• Unlimited Monthly Class Package $275

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sultrydreamsdancestudio.com.
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sultrydreamspole/reels/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Teechase13?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Joel Margolis