What do these four 'creative geniuses' Socrates, Nikola Tesla, Vincent Van Gogh, and Herman Melville have in common? Despite their innovative thinking, they all faced severe financial challenges during their lifetime.

As a creative person, using your "gift" and building a successful and life-sustaining career is often a counterintuitive challenge.

Creativity in business is not about you. Clients are not paying for your self-expression. If this is your thought, you may want to look into the fine arts field. It's all about them, their customers, and their potential buyers. They want you to sell their services and products, relieve their pain, and help them make money.

You may be the world's next creative genius, but from a business standpoint, people must embrace 'your personal brand.' Your personal brand is how you present yourself to the world, and it's crucial in the business world. Despite what your peers think, senior decision-makers may find facial piercings or neck tattoos too troubling to see past. Your brand should reflect your creativity and professionalism while being acceptable in a business context.

From the moment you walk into an organization, prove that you can make yourself useful immediately. Prioritize the company's needs above your professional desires. Unfortunately, for those starting a creative business career, this may mean making coffee, sweeping floors, or handling the reception desk. Eventually, you will be rewarded for your efforts; if not, it may be time to move on.

Always keep your eyes open for the next opportunity; after all, every creative job has an expiration date. Know that at some point during your creative business career, through either your desire or necessity, you will have the opportunity to strike out on your own as either a freelancer or entrepreneur. To identify these opportunities, stay updated on industry trends, network with professionals in your field, and proactively seek out new projects or roles.