Dolly Parton once turned down a song request from Elvis Presley. That was just one business decision that helped build her $650 million empire

Country music superstar Dolly Parton had a very early start to her career when she began singing at her local church at age 6. By age 13, she had recorded her first single, “Puppy Love,” which she co-wrote at age 11 with her uncle—and had even appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage by that time, too, introduced by none other than music legend Johnny Cash. 

After high school, Parton immediately moved to Nashville to continue building momentum in her music career. It was there she wrote both hit singles “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”—on the same day, no less—two songs that were later cemented as country classics. Her partnership with singer and television star Porter Wagoner in 1967 also helped her gain national recognition. 

But what also made Parton so prominent in the music industry was her business........

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