Meet David Yoshimura | Personal Safety Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Yoshimura and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My family has always been entrepreneurs. My parents started a business in 1972 which lead to second business a few years later. I grew up working in the family business endeavors and still operate on of them today. When I saw a need and realized I have a desire to teach people how to protect themselves it was natural to start my self protection business, Sheep Dog Defender.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Sheep Dog Defender was born from my desire to learn personal protection skills to keep myself and my family safe. Many years ago I was sitting on the couch watching a television show. In the storyline a shootout started and one of the characters was handed a pistol… he did not know what to do with it. It made a resolution right then that I wasn’t going to be “that guy!” My exposure to firearms had been minimal to this point. I had shot a rifle at Boy Scout Camp growing up up but my family didn’t hunt and firearms were not part of our family tradition. I sought out a local gun range and took a gun safety class from a retired Sheriff Deputy. After the class I went to the range every month, rented a firearm and learned how to use different platforms. Eventually this led to buying my first firearm. Training and seeking classes became my routine and then shooting competitions followed. Now I focus on teaching others self protection skills. Learning how to avoid trouble, de-escalation. If absolutely needed, defend myself or family with open-handed skills and as a last resort a firearm. While continuing my professional training in firearms I have made my way back to the dojo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a grappling martial art. I am teaching people by in-person training and via online webinars to help people stay safe from victimization.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Places: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Sunnylands (Annenberg Estate), La Quinta Hotel. Food: Enzo’s Bistro, Lavender, Tropicale

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The United States Concealed Carry Association helped me to make the jump into my business. Certification as an USCCA Instructor has opened an impressive suite of subject matter on personal safety that has greatly expanded the learning opportunities offered by Sheep Dog Defender. Beyond Concealed Carry Self Defense and Firearm Training, Sheep Dog Defender now offers a suite of instruction that includes: Personal Safety, Home Defense Planning, Women’s Self Defense Shooting, Basic Handgun Training & Safety, Countering a Mass Shooter, Child School Safety Program, Relator Safety Program and Emergency Fundamental First Aid Classes.

Website: SheepDogDefender.com

Instagram: SheepDogDefender

Facebook: Sheep Dog Defender

Other: Clubhouse Audio App @sheepdogdfnder