You Can’t Tell Me What to Do! Stories of Perseverance

Mandy Farris Woods is an author, speaker, and accomplished operations executive with over 25 years of leadership experience. She is the author of You Can’t Tell Me What to Do! Stories of Perseverance, a heartfelt collection of anecdotes about resilience, grit, and the strength we find in life’s toughest moments.

Mandy wrote this book to inspire others through the real, raw, and sometimes humorous experiences that shape us, not to break us, but to build us. Her own journey is proof that challenges can mold us into stronger, more grounded versions of ourselves.

Professionally, Mandy specializes in the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS), helping businesses gain clarity, traction, and accountability. She’s known for her no-nonsense leadership style, her ability to cut through chaos, and her gift for bringing order to complex operations.

Mandy’s leadership and impact have earned her recognition across multiple prestigious platforms. In 2024, she was honored with the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Thriving in Their 40s” award, celebrating her professional success and influence. That same year, she was named a finalist for the San Diego Business Journal Business Woman of the Year Awards and shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Awards, a distinction she earned again in 2025. These honors reflect her commitment to excellence, her ability to inspire others, and her continued influence in shaping the business landscape.

She lives in sunny San Diego, California, with her amazing husband and their three beloved pugs. Beyond the boardroom and the bookshelf, she’s a passionate numismatist and devoted collector of ancient coins, artifacts, and antiques. All ideal pursuits for someone who treasures history, precision, and the stories hidden within every piece. Above all, she is a proud mother and grandmother, cherishing the joy, inspiration, and legacy her family brings to every chapter of her life.