Our Team

Shawnie Cook
President, Co-Founder

Described as being inventive, resourceful, and innovative...Shawnie Cook, "the creative person" wants to be a know-it-all. She wants to know about all kinds of things-politics, fashion, sports, travel, cooking, current events, beauty trends and secrets…because she never knows when these ideas might come together to form a new business venture. It may happen six minutes later, or six months, or six years. But she has faith that it will happen...and has several "idea notebooks" to prove it.

As the owner of Backyard Boutique Party Network, she works with members to create, extend and engage in business-building activities. Her 15 years in finance, marketing, consulting, and management information systems give her an unusually broad base of experience with which to relate to female entrepreneurs to help identify new, creative ways of solving small business problems.

"I love being the facilitator...connecting women in terms of friendship forming and discovering the true joys of brainstorming, creative collaboration and conversation."

Shawnie Cook received her B.S. in Mathematics - Applied Science from UCLA. In addition to running her own business, Shawnie is a Project Manager for MIS Financial Contract Reporting at Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband David and their daughter Sanai.

Heidi Alexander
Sr. Vice President, Co-Founder

What does a graduate of USC with a B.S. in Gerontology, full time teacher, mother of 6, and co-founder of BBPN have in common? Heidi Alexander. Yes, you can find her in somewhat organized chaos at any given time. What keeps her going? God’s grace and mercy! Her motto: “Don’t be afraid to ask.” Convicting quote: “There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different than the things we do. “

An always-on-the run momma, how did she ever think to start a business? Well, it was purely a natural transition- Working as a classroom teacher and coordinator at her elementary school, training staff, and organizing community events at the school has given her the ability to be resourceful and to learn the skill of multi-tasking. Interacting with multiple personalities at work and home has positively given her a patient, encouraging, optimistic, and cheerful disposition. Her personality and ability to connect with other people has made her a natural networker.

Why a network for women in business? “First of all, I love being around the energy that women have when we are supporting and helping each other reach a common goal. When women form bonds of friendship and collaborate, the end result is almost always inspiration and empowerment. Through networking, we are able to celebrate and claim our strengths and build upon our weaknesses in a nurturing environment. “

She currently resides by the beach in a co- parenting relationship. You can find her with her front door open, something burning on the stove, kids running in the front yard, and of course online at BBPN.

Anise Fuller
Vice President of Operations

The saying, “Everyday I’m Hustlin”, seems to ring true for this native Detroiter. Always a smile on her face and a project in the works, this young lady will crack a joke while signing contracts and making deals. Making the trip from Detroit, MI to Los Angeles, CA Anise Fuller had one phrase on her mind, “in order to change the perception of what you see, you have to be in control of what is seen.”

With this determination in her mind she was promoted as one of the youngest minority women to be a managing director of a theater in Hollywood…gaining experience not only in running a non-profit theater but balancing the task of finding projects for upcoming seasons as well as wearing the hat of a casting director. With this awesome experience under her belt, she managed to continue balancing additional tasks by adding directing to her fast-growing resume.

Crossing over to directing plays pushed her to not only produce “behind the scenes”, but led her to acting in the front of the camera as well. She guest starred on the critically acclaimed FX series “The Shield”, acted along side Kevin Bacon and Marcia Gay Harden in 2007 “Rails and Ties”, and hosted on the Style Network. You can check out her latest role on the hit show “The Mentalist”.

Anise’s latest ventures not only include promoting and supporting female entrepreneurs by patronizing their businesses but also by joining the management team of the Backyard Boutique Network. Her balancing act includes producing short films, features, TV pilots and making her way with BBPN on the road to Oprah!


Creative Design & Services
Annie Kaycora (owner of Dreambug Studios)