At a time when many people consider slowing down, Colleen Law found herself doing the opposite.
A professor, LEGO artist and academic coach, Colleen has embraced life after 50 with a unique blend of creativity, resilience and determination. From custom-built LEGO houses to coaching doctoral candidates, her journey is a testament to the power of reinvention and living with purpose.
Colleen has always been passionate about education. For 14 years, she’s been working out of her Nashville home for Liberty University teaching public health and mental health. But teaching online opened a door for her to pursue other interests, setting the stage for a career that blended intellectual and creative pursuits.
“I’m grateful for the flexibility of my professorship,” Colleen said. “It allows me to balance my academic responsibilities with the artistic side of my life.”
The artistic side, as it turns out, involves a childhood pastime that evolved into a life-changing business building things with LEGO.
“When I was 16, my brothers were very young, and I wanted to bond with them,” Colleen recalled. “We found that LEGO and Duplos were a perfect way to spend time together. We could create something fun and unique while strengthening our connection.”
What started as a hobby quickly became a family tradition.
“I remember one day when it got so quiet that my parents came upstairs to check on us,” Colleen laughed. “They found the three of us surrounded by buckets of LEGO, completely immersed in our own little creations.”
This bonding time wasn’t just a creative outlet — it planted the seeds for what would eventually become a thriving enterprise.
Creating masterpieces brick by brick
Colleen’s love for LEGO grew as she transitioned into adulthood. She began making custom houses as gifts for family and friends.
“The first house I built was for my mom,” she said. “She loved it so much that she placed one of her collectible dolls on top and declared it the doll’s house.”
Her skills quickly gained attention. Family members started requesting replicas of their homes. Soon friends — and friends of friends — joined the list.
“For nearly 30 years, I built these for free,” Colleen said. “I never thought of it as a business.”
That changed after she turned 50, when she realized she could monetize her passion and make it sustainable. That’s when Colleen officially launched her LEGO house business. Her creations range from small houses to intricate masterpieces.
“I’ve built dream homes, replicas of real houses, and even themed buildings, like a four-story Western saloon,” she explained. “Each project is different, and that’s what keeps it exciting.”
Some of her most complex projects take months to complete. For example, the saloon alone took four months and 22 days to finish.
“I had to research Western architecture because there were no references for what I wanted to create,” she explained. “It was four feet high, and every floor could be removed to reveal the intricate details inside.”
Because of the intricacy of her designs, Colleen has to source LEGO blocks of specific sizes, shapes and colors. She said there are more than 100,000 different LEGO pieces on the market around the world today.
Building a business one client at a time
Today, Colleen’s LEGO business has a steady stream of customers, from real estate agents to model railroad enthusiasts.
“Realtors love gifting mini replicas of homes to their clients,” she said. “It’s a unique conversation piece that homeowners treasure.”
Her creativity doesn’t stop at physical builds. Colleen recently introduced an Ikea-style product line.
“We provide plans for people who want to build their own houses,” she explained. “They can source the LEGO themselves and create something meaningful with their families.”
Balancing a growing business with her academic career required Colleen to build a team.
“I now have six helpers,” she said. “Four of them are teenagers on the autism spectrum, and one is a veteran with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). This work helps them focus, and it’s incredibly rewarding for all of us.”
Colleen’s first year in business exceeded all her expectations. In fact, she made $47,000 by building structures with LEGO.
Coaching for success
In addition to her LEGO business, Colleen runs ABD Coaching Solutions, where she helps students complete their master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. Her coaching services focus on students who face tight deadlines, many of whom have returned to school after significant life events.
“I understand their challenges because I’ve been in their shoes,” Colleen shared. “During my doctoral studies, I faced unimaginable loss when my husband and three sons were killed by a drunk driver. It took me nearly a decade to recover, but I eventually went back and finished my degree.”
Her coaching style combines structure with empathy. She doesn’t write dissertations for her clients, she guides them on ways to transform ideas in their heads and get them on paper. It’s a way for her clients to unlock their potential. As a result, Colleen has helped students finish their dissertations in as little as four months.
“One student wrote his entire dissertation in 15-minute increments,” she said. “He was a father of five young children, and the only quiet time he could find was in the bathroom.”
Her coaching services have expanded to include group sessions, which she believes offer unique benefits. In group coaching, students can exchange ideas and learn from each other. It’s a collaborative process that often sparks creativity.
Rediscovering joy after loss
Colleen’s journey is rooted in resilience. Losing her family was a devastating experience, but she credits her faith for helping her move forward.
“God met me in my darkest moments,” she said. “I realized that while one door had closed, many others were waiting to open.”
During her recovery, Colleen leaned on her church and her growing community of friends.
“I had to learn to let go of what I’d lost and open my hands to what God wanted to teach me,” she said. “It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”
Today, Colleen’s life is filled with purpose. “I never thought I’d be this happy,” she said. “I have a career I love, two thriving businesses, and a strong community around me. I’ve never felt more fulfilled.”
Living with purpose after 50
Colleen’s advice for others seeking purpose after 50 is simple, but profound.
“Be open to new experiences and opportunities,” she said. “Take courses, meet new people, and step outside your comfort zone. You never know where it might lead.”
She also emphasizes the importance of mentorship. Not only is it essential for her personal growth, mentoring others ensures Colleen keeps learning and avoids stagnation.
“I don’t look for balance,” she said. “I focus on what I need to do each day and enjoy the process.”
Building a legacy
Colleen’s journey is far from over. She’s currently writing a book to guide students through the dissertation process. It’s titled “A Roadmap to Completing Your Dissertation in One Year,” and she hopes to publish it in 2025.
As she continues to grow her businesses and inspire others, Colleen remains a shining example of what it means to live with purpose.
“Age is just a number,” she said. “What matters is how you choose to spend the time you’ve been given.”
Colleen’s story is proof that life after 50 can be a time of creativity, reinvention and joy. Whether she’s coaching a student or crafting a LEGO masterpiece, Colleen’s passion shines through in everything she does.
For more information
People can connect with Colleen in several ways, including:
- LEGO building website = www.custombrickhouses.com
- Dissertation coaching website = www.abdcoachingsolutions.com
- Email = Colleen @ ABDCoachingSolutions.com
- LinkedIn = www.linkedin.com/in/colleenelaw
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/simonmlaw

After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.