Dolly Parton Credits Her Mother For Inspiring Her Business Acumen

Dolly Parton is opening up about the inner workings of her life through the years; how she grew as a musician, navigated fame, and created her own business.

Parton’s longevity in the music industry is very rare to come by, and that’s what makes the country legend stand apart, even from her peers.

Even after six decades in the music business, she continues to be an icon for many people across different age groups.

She’s not afraid to speak her mind, or even do her own makeup (we learned this on the debut episode of “What Would Dolly Do? Radio.”)

Dolly Parton – Shares Lessons She Learned From Her Parents About Running Business Ventures

On the second episode of the podcast, Parton returned with host Kelleigh and gave us a glimpse into her mindset as a businesswoman.

Speaking on what she learned from her parents regarding making business decisions, the “Coat of Many Colors” singer shared: “My mama said, and I don’t know if it’s a saying or a scripture, “To thine own self, be true.” There’s a lot of wisdom in that very statement.

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You got to first of all know who you are and what you can do and how you got to have belief in yourself, and you’ve got to have belief in your talent. My daddy was not an educated man, but daddy was so smart. He knew how to barter, he knew how to reason with people. He was an honest man, but he was a smart and clever man. So I try to use all of my daddy’s things and my mom’s spirituality, I try to keep a connection and stay grounded.”

And what if she walked into a room filled with men? “Being from a family of six boys, my dad, my uncles, my grandpas, who I loved, I’ve never been intimidated by men in the least. So I can walk right in a whole room of businessmen, and I can present my thoughts, and I can stand on my own two feet, and I can stand up for myself and not feel like I’m having to beg or plead. I just have a lot of trust and faith in myself.”

From a young age, the country singer, actress, entrepreneur, and author has nurtured a creative mindset. “I invented my first little guitar before I ever had one. Found some old strings on this old beat up piano, and added it to a piece of wood, and made an instrument of my own. So I felt like I was an inventor and a creator of things because I was really mostly getting through the music.”

Dolly Parton  – Reveals What Kind of Boss She Is

Dolly Parton would make the perfect boss, but only if you don’t take her kindness for weakness.

She said: “I can tell you where to put it if I don’t like where you got it. I’m pretty easy going… If you really want trouble out of me, you mess with my work or you mess with my family, and then I’m going to come at you. But I actually am a very reasonable person. I allow people enough rope to hang themselves and hope they don’t. But I also have enough rope left that I can kind of reel them in and say, “Hey, now. I took you to heart, and you took me for granted.”

Parton’s considerate nature makes her alert to people who will try to take advantage of it. She added: “I don’t rule with an iron fist. And whether I say anything or not, I watch people very close. I’ll let you go so far, and I think, “Now, surely don’t think I’m that dumb,” because I will not let somebody mess it up for other people, not just me, or to destroy something that we’ve all built. One bad apple, as they say. But I won’t be cruel about it. I’m also fair. People leave, I give them severance pay and help them as best I can when they go, so I’m reasonable.”

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Dolly Parton right now. Come back here often for all Dolly Parton spoilers, news, and updates.

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