Gary Datta grew up in Kolkata, India, where he learned the value of discipline, hard work, and curiosity. Those early lessons pushed him to the United States in 1982, where he earned his master’s degree in chemical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. His first career began in a small manufacturing company, where he spent nearly a decade solving problems, improving systems, and even earning a U.S. patent for one of his ideas.
While working full time, he followed a growing interest in business and finance by attending Rutgers University’s MBA program. That curiosity inspired a bold move in the mid-1990s, when he left corporate life and started his own business. Running a company taught him how decisions, risks, and long-term planning shape people’s lives.
In 2012, after moving to Southlake, Texas, Datta shifted into wealth management. He worked with major financial firms — including Merrill Lynch, Edward Jones, and Wells Fargo Financial Network — where he guided individuals and families through important financial choices. In 2025, he became co-founder of Adson Wealth Partners LLC, focusing on deeply understanding each client before offering any strategy or plan.
Outside his career, Datta is a published poet and playwright. He loves traveling, cooking, and reading, and he draws inspiration from the world around him. These creative interests help him stay grounded and connected to the people he serves.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I wake up before sunrise, make tea, and spend about 20 quiet minutes reading or writing. That short pause helps me clear my mind before I dive into anything complicated. At work, I block my day into small segments. I learned this during my engineering years — solve one defined problem at a time. I meet with clients, review market updates, and check on long-term plans we’ve built together. Productivity, to me, is about steady movement, not speed.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life the same way I approached engineering puzzles in my first job. I break them down, test assumptions, and rebuild from the ground up. When I earned my patent years ago, it came from observing a small flaw in a manufacturing process that everyone else ignored. Sometimes the best ideas grow from noticing what others overlook.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited about the shift toward values-driven decision-making. People are no longer just asking, “What should I do?” but also “Why does it matter?” That aligns with how I work — starting with a client’s goals and values before considering any strategy.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I write things down by hand. Notes, ideas, even reminders. It slows my mind just enough to think clearly. I learned this habit while studying chemical engineering, and it has stayed with me.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self not to rush. When I moved from Kolkata to New Jersey, I felt pressure to achieve quickly. But some of the best changes in my life — running my own business, shifting careers, moving to Texas — happened because I allowed myself to explore instead of forcing a straight path.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe boredom is useful. When I’m bored, my mind wanders, and new ideas show up. Many people try to avoid stillness, but for me, it’s where creativity begins — whether I’m writing a poem or thinking through a client issue.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I recommend asking one extra question in every conversation. Not about facts — about the person. Something like, “What matters most to you right now?” That one question often changes the entire direction of a discussion.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go back to cooking. It’s grounding. Chopping vegetables or simmering spices forces me to slow down. The routine resets my mind faster than any productivity trick.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Listening deeply. When I shifted from engineering to entrepreneurship, and later to wealth management, I found that most people don’t want answers first. They want to be understood. Listening helped me connect with clients and team members more authentically, which led to trust and long-term relationships.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
When I started my own business in the 1990s, I underestimated how much time basic operations would take. I spread myself too thin and made decisions too quickly. I overcame it by creating structure — weekly reviews, written plans, asking for help. The lesson was simple: even independence requires collaboration.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a “decision journal.” Each time you make a major choice, write down why you made it, what you expect to happen, and what could go wrong. Review it months later. Patterns will jump out, and those patterns teach you more than any book.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use OneNote constantly. It mirrors my habit of handwritten notes but organizes everything in a way I can search instantly. Client insights, writing ideas, travel plans — it all goes there.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I often revisit The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. Its simplicity and depth help me reconnect with purpose when life feels too busy.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed the series Street Food: Asia. It blends culture, memory, and craft — three things that resonate deeply with me.
Key learnings
- Deep listening can strengthen relationships and lead to better long-term decisions.
- Structured reflection, such as decision journaling, helps reveal personal patterns that improve judgment.
- Creative practices outside work — like cooking or writing — can restore focus and clarity during stressful periods.