Meet Amanda Mocci

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Mocci. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Amanda, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Growing up, I wasn’t naturally confident—I was more of an introvert, and to some extent, I still am. The turning point for me came when I discovered something I truly loved doing: graphic design, and later, portraiture. Finding an area where I wasn’t just passionate but also competent helped me start to build confidence in both my work and myself.

In the beginning, I have to admit that a lot of my confidence came from external validation. It felt great to receive praise, but over time, I realized that relying solely on others’ approval wasn’t sustainable. The real shift happened when I began creating personal work just for myself—work that resonated with what made me happy. That’s when everything started to feel more peaceful and fulfilling. It taught me that true confidence comes from within, from doing what you love and staying true to yourself.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a Creative Director and Portrait Artist running my own studio, Mocci Studio. My specialization lies in creating brand identities for change-driven brands that dare to dream. I help these brands stand out in a sea of competitors, ensuring they resonate with the people they’re meant to reach.

What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to bring ideas to life in a way that deeply connects with people. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about taking a concept—whether it’s a brand identity or a piece of art—and transforming it into something tangible that inspires, evokes emotions, and tells a compelling story.

My approach has always emphasized authenticity and connection. I strive to create work that not only looks good but also feels meaningful and personal. Whether I’m crafting a brand identity or a personal art piece, my goal is to capture the essence of the story behind it, making it relatable and impactful for everyone who sees it and interacts with it.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Persistence was probably my greatest strength when I first started. I pursued this path out of a genuine passion for the field, rather than chasing the highest-paying jobs. If I hadn’t been patient with the process, I might have set everything aside long ago to pursue something else.

This persistence and patience also led me to teach myself portraiture while I was in design school. Balancing two crafts simultaneously was challenging, but I found it necessary for my sanity. While I loved working on computers, I also needed the tactile experience of creating something manually. I often found myself swinging from design work to creating a portrait, and that balance kept me grounded.

The third quality I would highlight is listening. In my field, it’s crucial not only to listen to what the client says but also to pick up on what they aren’t necessarily articulating. Becoming somewhat of a mind reader and emotional reader has helped me craft stronger brand identities and more resonant portraits. This skill also ties in with learning to ask better questions—a skill that only improves with practice.

For anyone just starting out, my advice is to cultivate patience and persistence. Understand that mastery takes time, and the journey will have its ups and downs. Don’t be afraid to pursue multiple passions simultaneously—it can help you maintain balance and stay creatively fulfilled. Finally, work on becoming an active listener. The ability to truly understand your clients, even beyond their words, will set you apart and lead to more meaningful work. And remember, asking the right questions is a skill that grows with practice, so always be curious and open to learning.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

I used to get pretty anxious when things weren’t going well, whether it was during a low season of work or struggling with a technique I just couldn’t grasp. Over the last year, I’ve learned to accept certain realities for what they are instead of fighting them. When I started to be more mindful of situations and let go of the need to control everything, I noticed that things began to flow more naturally, and opportunities started to open up.

I also started keeping a journal to document challenges as they arose, writing down what was happening and asking myself questions as if I were advising someone else. Answering those questions in point form really helped. After writing, I’d realize that the problem was either A: solvable, or B: not solvable, in which case it was time to move on.

There’s a saying, “you can’t see the label if you’re inside the jar”—this was a game changer for me. I realized that keeping things bottled up wasn’t helping at all. When you run your own business and work alone most of the time, you need to get creative about how to solve problems and stay motivated. Journaling became a powerful tool for me to step outside my own head, find clarity, and allow things to flow more freely.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amandamocci.com
• Instagram: @amamocci | @moccistudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amocci/

Image Credits

All photos of Amanda Mocci by Valerie Boulet