Vivian L. Shimoyama, Founder

Vivian Shimoyama is the founder and president of Breakthru Unlimited. Through the company's unique products and consulting services, Vivian is dedicated to promoting the advancement of women and people of color and accelerating the process of equality for future generations. Her products with a message include: hand-made glass artwork of jewelry, executive gifts, limited editions, and custom awards. Breakthru Unlimited's 'Glass with a cause' has received national recognition for its message. Maybe you've spotted her artwork on the lapel of Hillary Clinton, or Elizabeth Dole or featured in the LA Times, Wall Street Journal or Inc. Magazine, to name a few.

Ms. Shimoyama is a recognized international and national leader for her advocacy work for small business, and women in business. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois, College of Commerce. Vivian is the chair/past president of Enterprise Institute of the National Association of Women Business Owners, and is a past president of the National Association of Women Business Owners - LA Chapter. She is a member of the board of directors for the California Small Business Association, California Small Business Education Foundation, and National Board of Consumers for Cable Choice and NARAL Pro-Choice America, appointee to the Long Beach Workforce Development Board. Dedicated to building our communities, Vivian serves as an advisor to: the University of Southern California (USC) Small Business Development Office; New Economics for Women; Corporate Community Advisory Board for Southern California Edison, Merrill Lynch, and Union Bank of California; Women Impacting Public Policy; Women's Leadership Exchange; Count Me In (a national micro-loan program for women business owners); A founding sister of the Asian Pacific American Women's Leadership Institute.

Her most recent honors include:

• Served as an appointee to the National Women's Business Council, for the Clinton and Bush Administrations, a bi-partisan Federal government advisory panel, that serves as an independent source of advise and counsel to the President of the United States, and the U.S. Congress


• A member of the U.S. delegation and facilitator for the landmark 10 Downing Street Economic Summit headed by Exchequer Gordon Brown and U.K. Government.


• Honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration in the district, region, and recognized by U.S. Congress with the 1999 National Women In Business Advocate Award.


• Invited by the White House Office on Women's Initiatives and Center for Policy Alternatives to work with 100 leaders on America's Economic Agenda from Women's Voices.


• Chairperson for the 44th Annual World Congress of Women Business Owners (F.C.E.M. Les Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises Mondiales, representing over 30 countries; held in Los Angeles in 1996).


• Elected in 1995 to be a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business.


• Named one of the 500 most influential Asian Americans by Asia Avenue Magazine.


• Designer of internationally recognized artwork representing breaking barriersÄthe glass ceiling. Breakthru Solutions and the company's products have been seen in Inc. Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, LA Times, and spotted on the lapels of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Elizabeth Dole to name a few.


• Commissioned to produce a Presidential Award for the U.S. Glass Ceiling Commission.


• Ms. Shimoyama has also been honored by: The National Women's Political Caucus of California; Asian Pacific Women's Network; Women Construction Owners & Executives-California; National Organization for Women Legal Defense Fund.


• Received commendations from the President, U.S. Congress, State Legislature of California, County Supervisors, and the Mayor of Los Angeles.


• Published articles in Los Angeles Business Journal, and Small Business News on outreach to women and minority owned businesses, and small business. Appeared on Making It! Small business television program on KTLA Los Angeles and the national Financial Freedom Report News.