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

In this episode of There Is No Plan B, Gabby sits down with Jay Benjamin, founder of TrimMD Wellness in Morristown, NJ, to unpack what it really looks like to leave a stable corporate career and build a purpose-driven wellness business from scratch.

Jay shares her unconventional journey out of 14 years in supply chain and into opening a full-service wellness storefront, navigating fear, family expectations, imposter syndrome, and the realities of betting on yourself — especially as a woman from an immigrant background.

Together, they dive into the deeper conversation behind women’s health today: burnout, inflammation, weight changes, hormonal shifts, and why so many women are caring for everyone else except themselves. Jay breaks down how TrimMD goes beyond weight loss to offer customized, hands-on support across nutrition, metabolic health, IV therapy, and whole-body wellness.

This episode is a powerful reminder that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish — it’s essential — and that sometimes the boldest move is choosing yourself anyway.

• Jay’s transition from corporate supply chain to entrepreneurship

• Navigating fear, family expectations, and cultural pressure

• Why Morristown was the right (and risky) location for TrimMD

• Imposter syndrome and betting on yourself anyway

• What women are really coming in for at TrimMD

• Inflammation, fatigue, perimenopause, and metabolic health

• Why wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all

• The ripple effect of women prioritizing their health

• Building confidence through personalized care and accountability

• Leading by example for daughters and families

• Expanding TrimMD with IV therapy and telehealth

• Jay’s philosophy: “If not you, then who?”

• Stability doesn’t always equal fulfillment

• Women’s health symptoms are often signals, not silenced nuisances

• Small, consistent changes compound into life-altering outcomes

• You can’t pour from an empty cup — wellness is leadership

• Betting on yourself creates permission for others to do the same

Jay Benjamin is the founder of TrimMD Wellness, a women-forward wellness clinic located in Morristown, New Jersey. TrimMD offers personalized care across weight loss, nutrition planning, metabolic health testing, IV hydration, vitamin therapy, and more — helping women feel better in their bodies and lives at every stage.

📍 TrimMD Wellness
25 Lindsley Drive, Suite 204
Morristown, NJ

🕒 Office Hours:
Open Wednesdays–Saturdays (phone support Monday–Saturday)

• IV Hydration Special: $100 for any IV drip (excluding NAD+)

• Weight Loss Services: 25% off when you mention code GABBY

“Bet on yourself. If not you, then who?”

⏱ Episode Highlights & Talking Points🧠 Key Takeaways for Listeners💼 About the Guest🎁 Podcast Listener Specials📚 Quote to Remember

In this episode, Gabriella Borrero sits down with Deborah Jones, a fractional CFO, entrepreneur, and former corporate leader who transformed a pandemic layoff into the launch of her thriving financial consulting firm. Together, they break down the truth that most entrepreneurs overlook: if you want your business to grow, you need to know your numbers.

Deborah shares her journey from climbing the corporate ladder to becoming a sought-after consultant for small business owners. She opens up about navigating job loss, building a company rooted in partnership, and developing the financial skills that every entrepreneur needs but is rarely taught.

Listeners will learn how to
• understand the story their finances are telling
• track income and expenses with clarity and consistency
• approach pricing with confidence and strategy
• use financial software to support smarter business decisions
• recognize the difference a fractional CFO can make in long-term growth

Throughout the episode, Deborah reminds us of the mindset required to lead a sustainable business. High expectations, self-advocacy, clear financial goals, and community impact are not optional; they are the backbone of success.

This conversation is a must-listen for service providers, new entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to take control of their financial future. Gabriella and Deborah close the episode with an invitation to step into deeper clarity before the year ends through Deborah’s Year-End Financial Clarity Session.

In this episode, Gabriella Borrero breaks down the real do’s and don’ts of networking — because connecting shouldn’t feel transactional or forced. Gabby shares how to approach networking with heart, intention, and strategy so you can build relationships that actually lead to collaboration, growth, and impact.

She covers what most people get wrong (like sending generic follow-ups or adding people to your list without permission) and what to do instead to stand out, stay genuine, and create meaningful connections.

Whether you’re meeting people in person, online, or inside a community like the Next Generation Network (NGN), this episode will shift the way you show up in every conversation.

• Treat everyone you meet like a human, not a lead.

• Build relationships before pitching or asking for anything.

• Ask more questions — curiosity builds trust.

• Stay visible and supportive on social media.

• Always add value before asking for it.

• Never add someone to your email list without consent.

• Personalize your follow-up — make it memorable.

• Networking is about partnership, not popularity.

• Be intentional — your energy sets the tone for every connection.

In this episode, Gabriella Borrero shares insights on public speaking, focusing on storytelling frameworks that can help entrepreneurs effectively communicate their journeys. She emphasizes the importance of engaging the audience through authenticity and intention, and invites listeners to join her upcoming Alliance mastermind for deeper learning and support.

Takeaways

The holiday season is a busy time for marketing campaigns.

Public speaking can be enhanced through structured storytelling frameworks.

Two main frameworks for storytelling: personal narrative and general teaching.

Engaging the audience is crucial for effective communication.

Authenticity and emotional honesty resonate with listeners.

Always have an intention when speaking to an audience.

Using AI can help in crafting your story.

The audience reflects the speaker's engagement and authenticity.

Consider joining a mastermind for deeper learning and support.

Sharing your story is essential for personal and professional growth.

The episode to put on when you are feeling low and need some encouragement. YOU ARE THE ONE.