Success Story: Nathan Sawaya: Lawyer Turned Master Lego Builder
Here's a great lawyer career transition story perfect for the holidays.
Nathan Sawaya used to toil as a corporate lawyer. That was before Sawaya, a lifelong LEGO enthusiast, saw an ad announcing a national contest being held by the LEGOland theme park in San Diego to select the country's best adult LEGO builders. Sawaya entered the contest, prevailed, and soon began work at LEGOland assembling intricate statues and figurines with LEGO blocks -- at one fifth the salary he was paid as a lawyer. But he was living his dream.
Now just two years later, Sawaya's passion is paying big dividends. He eventually moved back to New York to create LEGO sculptures for individuals and corporations - the cost of his art ranges from $100 to tens of thousands of dollars. He has been a guest on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman, NBC’s Today Show, MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann, ESPN’s Cold Pizza, ABC’S Jimmy Kimmel Live, and countless other news programs, and written up in Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter and Newsday. Recognized by the LEGO Group as a certified LEGO Professional, Sawaya is now one of the top LEGO sculptors in the world.
Which proves our point - when you love what you do, your passion will be reflected in your work and clients will beat a path to your door.
Read more about Sawaya on his website.
wow. he's my hero! that's so awesome.
Posted by: jinjooya (a lawyer about to leave the profession to pursue her dream) | Apr 14, 2008 5:46:45 PM