Meet Brooke Squicciarini

We were lucky to catch up with Brooke Squicciarini recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brooke, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

My optimism undoubtedly comes from my family. Growing up, I was surrounded by people who truly believed in me, even at times when I didn’t fully believe in myself. A second option was never really something I considered, not because I was afraid of failure, but because my family taught me that if I put in the effort, I was capable of achieving whatever I set my mind to. They never doubted me, if anything, they were always the ones cheering the loudest, reminding me that I could do it no matter how challenging things became.

When things didn’t go as planned, my family had this way of turning setbacks into lessons. They would say, ‘Maybe this is how it’s meant to be,’ and somehow, that perspective always made things feel lighter. Instead of viewing obstacles as failures, I started to see them as redirections—signs that I was being guided toward something better. That mindset, one that values resilience over perfection, has stayed with me ever since.

And when I did have moments of doubt or disappointment, I never faced them alone. My parents and three siblings have always been my biggest supporters, whether it’s through humor, encouragement, or simply a phone call away. They’ve taught me that optimism doesn’t mean ignoring the hard parts of life; it means trusting that there’s always a way through, and that you’re never truly on your own.

Because of them, I approach challenges with confidence and gratitude. My family has given me a foundation of unwavering support and belief, and that’s something I try to carry with me in everything I do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a graphic designer who loves bringing ideas to life through thoughtful, visually driven storytelling. My work spans across branding, packaging, web, and illustration, all centered around creating designs that not only look beautiful but connect with people on a deeper level.

What excites me most about design is its ability to shape how people experience the world. Whether it’s crafting a brand identity that perfectly captures a client’s vision, redesigning a website to feel more intuitive, or building packaging that tells a product’s story before someone even opens it. I love how design blends strategy, creativity, and emotion.

I’ve always been a very self-taught, hands-on learner. Even outside of university, I’ve spent hours experimenting, researching, and teaching myself new techniques and programs to make each project stronger than the last. That curiosity has led me to work with a range of clients, from local businesses to larger brands, and I’ve enjoyed every opportunity to help them grow through design.

Recently, I rebranded Sunshine for the Soul’s logo — a project that really reflected my love for meaningful, uplifting design. The goal was to create something that felt warm, approachable, and aligned with the brand’s positive, soulful energy. Projects like that remind me why I love what I do: design has the power to make people feel something.

Lately, I’ve been focusing on expanding my branding and packaging work, building cohesive visual systems that feel timeless and intentional, while also connecting with new clients and taking on projects that challenge me creatively.

At the end of the day, what’s most special to me about what I do is that it allows me to connect creativity with purpose, helping others see their ideas come to life in a way that feels both beautiful and meaningful.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are curiosity, adaptability, and persistence.

Curiosity has always driven me to explore new design styles, experiment with programs, and push myself creatively. My advice to anyone starting out is to stay curious, keep asking questions, and don’t be afraid to play with your ideas, having fun while learning makes the process so much more meaningful!

Adaptability has also been key. Design is constantly evolving, and being open to trying new tools or approaches has kept me excited rather than overwhelmed. For those just beginning, I’d say step outside your comfort zone and embrace the unexpected, it’s often where the most growth and fun happen. YouTube is an amazing tool for learning too!!

Persistence is the third quality that’s made the biggest difference. Not every project comes easily, and self-doubt is normal. The important part is to keep going, keep experimenting, and remember to enjoy the journey along the way, the projects that challenge you the most often end up being the most rewarding.

Ultimately, the combination of curiosity, adaptability, persistence, and a willingness to have fun has helped me grow as a designer and shaped the way I approach every new project.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

As a new designer, one of the biggest challenges I face is having faith in myself and trusting my instincts. It’s easy to doubt whether my ideas or work are good enough, especially when I’m still building experience. To overcome this, I focus on taking small, deliberate steps: seeking feedback from peers and mentors, reminding myself of past projects I’ve completed successfully, and pushing myself to try new approaches even when I’m unsure. I’ve also learned that experimenting and staying curious helps me shift the focus from fear to growth. Over time, I’m learning that self-doubt isn’t something to eliminate entirely, but rather a signal to reflect, improve, and keep moving forward and stay optimistic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brookeana.com
• Instagram: brookeanadesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-squicciarini-93a669300