08/26/2026
āIām not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know Iām not dumb. And I also know that Iām not blonde.ā
ā Dolly Parton
Behind the rhinestones, big hair, and quick wit was a brilliant and incredibly powerful businesswoman.
When Elvis Presley wanted to record āI Will Always Love You,ā his manager insisted that Dolly give up half of the publishing rights. Even though hearing Elvis sing her song would have been a dream, she said no.
Years later, Whitney Houstonās version became one of the most successful recordings of all time, and Dolly still owned her song.
She understood something every artist, entrepreneur, and business owner should understand: Believe in the value of what you create, protect your ownership, and never be afraid to walk away from an opportunity that asks you to give up too much.
Dolly built an empire in a male-dominated industry while remaining firmly in control of her music, her image, and her values. She proved that kindness and strength are not opposites, and that you can be warm, generous, funny, and humble while still being an unapologetically powerful businesswoman.
What an incredible legacy and an inspiration to every woman building something of her own. āØ