In this episode of There Is No Plan B, Gabriella Borrero sits down with Neli Rodriguez, founder of Embellished Ribbon.

During her postpartum depression, Neli found herself struggling quietly, doing what so many women do: holding it together on the outside while unraveling on the inside. Candle making became her outlet — a grounding ritual, a way to calm her nervous system, and a space where she could finally breathe.

Those moments turned into something bigger. Each Embellished Ribbon candle is hand-poured and paired with affirmations pulled straight from Nellie’s personal journals — words she wrote for herself before she ever imagined sharing them with the world.

This conversation is about healing out loud, building something meaningful without having it all figured out, and how community, collaboration, and courage can turn your hardest seasons into your most impactful work.

If you’re a woman who’s ever thought “I should be further along by now” — this one’s for you.

• Some of the best businesses are born in survival mode

• Healing doesn’t always look like therapy — sometimes it looks like creating

• Affirmations can regulate your nervous system when words feel hard

• You don’t need a perfect plan to start — just permission

• Motherhood changes you, and your business gets to evolve too

• Community support is non-negotiable for women entrepreneurs

• Collaboration > competition (always)

• Growth happens one small, brave step at a time

• Celebrating yourself matters — especially when no one else is watching

In this episode of There Is No Plan B, Gabriella Borrero sits down with Laura Haraka, founder of Feel to Heal Wellness, for a deeply honest conversation about the mind-body connection and how chronic pain — especially pelvic pain — shows up in women’s lives.

Laura opens up about her own journey navigating chronic pelvic pain, feeling dismissed within the healthcare system, and ultimately learning to listen to what her body was trying to say. Together, Gabriella and Laura explore how stress, emotional suppression, people-pleasing, and societal expectations placed on women can manifest physically in the body.

This episode is a powerful reminder that pain is not “all in your head” — it’s information. Laura shares practical tools for healing, reframing pain responses, and why community, self-advocacy, and self-care aren’t luxuries, but necessities on the healing journey.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, overwhelmed by stress, or unheard in your health journey, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.

• The mind-body connection plays a critical role in how pain is experienced and processed

• Chronic pain in women is often linked to stress, emotional suppression, and societal pressure

• Pain can be the body’s response to emotional, mental, and physical overload

• Healing begins when we understand the root cause — not just the symptom

• Women are conditioned to neglect themselves while caring for everyone else

• Honest emotional expression supports physical healing

• Community and shared experiences can accelerate the healing process

• Leaning into moments of safety and positive sensation can help calm pain responses

• Self-criticism and shame can intensify physical symptoms

• Advocacy and self-trust are essential parts of women’s health and wellness

🔑 Key Takeaways

In this episode of There Is No Plan B, Gabriella Borrero sits down with financial coach Devhuti Patel, founder of Devaar & Associates, for an honest and empowering conversation about women, money, and financial independence.

Together, they explore why so many women remain stuck in financial survival mode, how cultural conditioning impacts our relationship with money, and what it actually takes to move from reacting to finances to leading them with intention.

Devhuti breaks down the foundational pillars of financial literacy — earning, spending, saving, and security — while offering practical steps women can take today to gain clarity, build wealth, and protect their future. This episode is a must-listen for any woman ready to stop avoiding her finances and start owning her financial narrative.

• Why financial survival isn’t a long-term plan

• How cultural beliefs shape women’s money habits

• The four pillars of financial literacy every woman needs

• Budgeting without restriction or shame

• Why emergency funds are essential (and how much you need)

• The power of paying yourself first

• How small daily spending habits impact long-term wealth

• Why financial awareness matters regardless of marital status

• Simple steps to regain control of your finances

• How asking for help accelerates financial confidence

00:00 — From survival to strategy
02:47 — Why women fail to plan (and how to change it)
05:40 — Earning, spending & saving fundamentals
08:40 — Emergency funds & financial security
11:32 — Cultural conditioning & money mindset
14:36 — Taking ownership of your finances
17:17 — Practical financial next steps
20:31 — Resources for financial empowerment

• “People don’t plan to fail — they fail to plan.”

• “Choose your discomfort.”

• “Pay yourself first.”

• “Survival isn’t a strategy.”

Devhuti Patel is a licensed financial coach and founder of Devaar & Associates, where she helps women move from financial stress to strategic independence through education, clarity, and accountability.

Women who:

• Feel overwhelmed or anxious about money

• Want financial clarity without judgment

• Are building wealth, not just covering bills

• Want to feel confident and informed about their finances

• Are ready to stop surviving and start planning