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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2007)
northwest Loan Officer Becomes Specialist The institute is a joint effort by leaders in the Big Girls Have Style Gary Boyer, senior loan officer and branch man mortgage and financial planning industries to raise Like a Technicolor glow emanating ager of Guarantee Mortgage, has just earned the professional standards among mortgage profession from the Full Circle Women’s Temple, Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist designation. als and integrate sound financial planning advice Size Queen on 3125 E. Bumside St. The designation is granted by the Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist Institute of Ann Arbor, Mich. The business recipient of this certification integrates financial planning concepts into the mortgage process and offers watch clients mortgage process. offers plus-size women fashionable and “Borrowers need expert advice comfortable apparel, rarely available in now more than ever,” said Boyer. the mainstream market. into Z" the He felt the specialist designa Owner Bertha Pearl, 50, has always tion was an important step to take loved designing clothes. “I hope to bring because many homeowners have fat visibility into the GLBTQ communi become frustrated and confused ty,” she said. “You don’t often see fat with the myriad choices in today’s people in a fabulous outfit, so we’re not strategies that encompass mortgages, debt, taxes, mortgage market and how they apply to queer home home equity and real estate investment. owners. Boyer has specialized in working with the Born in Manhattan and beginning sexual minorities community for more than nine her training at the Fashion Institute of years. He has been a longtime supporter of and Technology in New York, Pearl learned participant in gay-specific organizations including how to design on small forms but did Pride Northwest, the Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal not want to design for the mainstream Scholarship, Our House, Esther’s Pantry, the Portland market. She moved to San Francisco and made mg. These fun bottoms are made from panels of Lesbian Choir, the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus and boxers ranging in size from extra large to 6XL fabric patterned with Campbell’s pork and beans, the Portland Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. because there was “nothing for hutches.” When she cupcakes and other designs attached only at the hip relocated to New York City, her brand became Big and laced together with intricate seams. They can Boxers of Bnxiklyn. be worn with capris or without (showing off plenty “The mortgage-planning needs are very com plex in the GLBT community,” he said. “My focus is to help my clients become homeowners, manage their home equity and personal cash flow wisely, while planning for their future.” Size Queen Bertha Pearl designs alternative couture for plus-size bodies. Now in Portland, Pearl is only taking of leg). appointments. Size Queen also carries pajamas, bloomers and Her girlfriend of eight years, Michelle Hunt, met bustle dresses. Less than 1 percent of mortgage lenders and Pearl in San Francisco. “We’ve settled in Portland for “The bustle adds to the back of the skirt. If you brokers nationwide have this special certification. its supportive community of small and queer busi think your butt is too fat or too big, the bustle says, “A mortgage professional who dedicates the time nesses,” Hunt said. ‘Here, it’s even bigger,’ ’’ explained Pearl. “I'm and effort to learn about these financial concepts is Customers and friends at Size Queen’s grand much more qualified, committed and equipped to opening Sept. 23 described Pearl’s fashion as one- serve the complex needs of today’s homeowner and of-a-kind alternative couture. buyer,” says Gibran Nicholas, chairman of the Loan officer Gary Boyer has joined the ranks of less than 1 percent of his colleagues by earning designation as a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist. often appreciated.” Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist Institute. Boyer can be reached at 503-243-2674 or www.mortgagemonkey.com. excited to see fancy skirts for fat girls.” Pearl describes her style as fun, silly, irreverent and SoHo for fat girls. “I ferl like I’m wearing her brain,” said Deb Malkin, 37, “like I’m wearing the creative essence For more information visit www.sizequeen clothing.com. © of who she is as a person.” Pearl offers deconstructed skirts made for danc- By J ulius C alasicas /4/ZHP Experienced with CATS • REPTILES DOGS • POCKET PETS OTHER EXOTICS Mon-Fri 8:00afn-6:30pm Linwood Sat 8:00om-4:30pm ANIMAL CLINIC 6135 SE KING RD. 20 Blocks off 82nd near Clackamas Town Center 503-774-3363 www. 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