By Christina Fernández-Morrow
When most teenagers are focused on homework and Friday night plans, Sophea Munguía is running a business. She fell in love with dancing at eight years old. Rather than keep that passion to herself, with the help and encouragement of her mom, she launched Danza Folklorica del Oeste, a Mexican folkloric dance company she started at 15. Two years later, she’s growing a business that honors her roots.
Munguía represents a new generation of young entrepreneurs who are building businesses based on their culture. While Central Iowa’s folkloric dance scene has grown over the past decade, few teachers are as young or ambitious as this Des Moines native who dreams of taking her dance company global. Danza Folklorica del Oeste is an ode to San Sabastián del Oeste, the place of her mother’s birth. “Even though I was born and raised in Des Moines, I feel at home in Mexico,” she said.
While she loves this town in the Sierra Madre mountains of Jalisco, Mexico, she has trained at dance academies all over the country. “Going to Mexico as a student and seeing the behind the scenes of how it all works gave me the idea of teaching,” she said. Each time she returns, she teaches her students the new dances and techniques she learned. “I like to see how the kids grow.”
She doesn’t return with just ideas; she brings back custom-made costumes and dance shoes representing the regional dances she teaches. One dress can cost upwards of $200. Dancers purchase their own costumes but can resell them to smaller dancers or back to the group when they outgrow them. Monthly fees and performance revenue cover costumes, studio rental, performer stipends, and snacks, with any remainder going to Munguía as a modest salary.
As a performer herself, Munguía understands that dance builds confidence and belonging, the heart of her vision. “I love to see little kids who don’t know their right from their left expand their skills and in a year be part of a huge performance,” said Munguía. “We strive to create a community where every student feels like they belong.”
Her three-level system reflects this commitment. Rather than grouping by age, she assesses individual skills. Advanced dancers learn performance techniques and complex choreography, while beginners focus on costume management and basic steps. Munguía teaches in both English and Spanish to ensure everyone can participate.
Her thoughtfulness and determination are paying off. In 2025, the group performed during the halftime show at an Iowa Wolves game at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines. They also took first place at a community talent show, winning $750 that Munguía invested in custom practice skirts from Mexico. The momentum continues into 2026 with an invitation to perform at Omaha’s Cinco de Mayo festival, the largest cultural celebration in the Cornhusker state.
Behind these successes lies ambitious planning with goals that show maturity beyond her 17 years. She’s taking business administration and entrepreneurship courses at Southern New Hampshire University. “I chose an online program to pursue my dream of going to college while dedicating time to my dance group,” said Munguía. While she wants Danza Folklorica del Oeste to stay firmly rooted in Iowa, her aspirations go much further. “I want to have studios and perform around the world, and partner with other groups,” she said.
With her mother at her side as her partner and role model, this young entrepreneur is making a lasting impact. Her students are learning more than choreography; they’re learning that passion plus planning creates success. With the lessons she’s learned and the ones to come, Munguía is poised to grow her business, her influence and become a role model herself to the next generation of aspiring performers and business owners.
Follow Danza Folklorica del Oeste on Instagram and Facebook at @danzafolkloricadeloeste for performance updates and enrollment information. Whether you’re looking to book the group for an event or enroll your child in classes, DM them on social media to get started.
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