Many 29-year-olds, if they were working at a Fortune 500 company, driving a nice car and living in a nice townhome that they owned, wouldn't want to give all of that up to chase a dream.
      But Briana Haley isn't just any 29-year-old. Haley, a 1998 graduate of Collins-Maxwell High School, is adventurous.
      This summer, Haley is leaving her job as an administrative assistant at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines and going to New York City, where she will become a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
      Haley has been taking online and evening classes over the past couple of years at Des Moines Community College to earn her associate's degree, which she received in May this year. Her dream was to continue her education in fashion design.
      Because she owned a home, Haley had decided that she probably had to stay close to Des Moines to continue her studies, even though that wasn't what she really wanted. Then, while sitting with a friend, there was "a light bulb moment," she said. "My friend said why wouldn't you do this (leave Iowa to study fashion design) ... why do you have to stay around here." Haley said she had a chance to take a trip to New York last fall and was able to visit the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and she loved it. She started to put together a portfolio for admission.
      In May, the same month she earned her associate's degree from DMACC, Haley found out that she had been accepted to FIT. That left her with another challenge - selling her townhome and her car, which she wouldn't need while living in a dorm in New York City.

A clever idea
      Haley, the daughter of Rich and Beth Wehrman, said her father had seen some new townhomes in the area being advertised with a free car, and he brought that to her attention. They talked about her selling her townhome and throwing in her car and all her furnishings for free.
      In less than a month after listing the townhome, Haley has an offer and a sale pending.
      "It turned out to be a good strategy, because there are probably 20, if not more, (townhomes for sale) in my little development right now," Haley said.
      She thought her offer would stand out for a young couple or someone right out of college, and it did for a recent college graduate. He liked Haley's style, and the fact that he won't have to shop for blinds, couches, an entertainment center and everything else that goes along with owning a home. Unlike some, however, her purchaser had several cars and didn't need or want hers. So, instead, Haley's uncle is buying her 1999 Toyota Camry.

Ready for the future
      Haley's parents are driving her to New York City. They all leave Aug. 20, and she moves into her dorm room on Aug. 23. It's a suite with four students, who will share some common living areas, but will bunk down with one other student. The student Haley is rooming with is a 28-year-old who will be in the jewelry design program. "I was very happy to hear that," Haley said of her roommate's age being close to her own. "I was kind of worried I'd end up being the dorm mom."
      Haley is excited about the future that now lies before her. She knows there is much for her to learn about the entire fashion industry. She looks forward to internship opportunities, saying she'd love to be able to work with some of the established fashion companies. She also said there is a possibility with the FIT program to go overseas to London or Milan.
      Haley said she expects to some day work on the sewing/design side of the fashion industry, rather than the merchandizing side.
      What Haley doesn't expect is a future where she would return to live in Iowa. "I'm going to have to go where the careers take me, which is likely to be a big city." She could be close to home if that city would end up being Chicago, which wouldn't bother Haley at all. "I have nothing against the Midwest."