in the news

Oct. 30, 2023 | Frederick News Post

Children get chance to give back by helping students experiencing homelessness

A Fall Kids Kindness Event was held on Sunday in which children were given a chance to volunteer and help their community.

Children packed and decorated bags of essential items that were to then be given to students experiencing homelessness.

Aug. 8, 2023 | Frederick News Post

Business community prepares for SHE Week

Seven women-owned businesses will compete for thousands of dollars and prizes this week in a pitch competition during the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s S.H.E. Week.

S.H.E. (Strength, Heart and Equality) Week serves to uplift women business owners and entrepreneurs and connect them with resources, Jennifer Gerlock, vice president of marketing and communication at the chamber, said.

May 26, 2023 | Coworks

SHIFTing work-life balance: coworking with kids

In the bustling heart of Frederick, Maryland, a lawyer turned entrepreneur is changing the game for local working parents. Meet Megan Donovan, the dynamic founder of SHIFT Work + Play, a family-friendly coworking space that seeks to blend productivity and parenthood — two concepts that seem otherwise at odds with one another.

Feb. 25, 2023 | Frederick News Post

Local children volunteer to help students in need

Danielle Rizzo wasn’t happy with the fact that there were little to no volunteer opportunities for children under 12. As a mom of four young children, she wanted to instill values of helping others into her children.

“It’s one thing to talk to them about volunteering, and it’s another thing for them to be hands-on experiencing the volunteering and seeing where it goes and the impact that it has,” she said.

Jan. 1, 2023 | Frederick County Office of Economic Development

Revealed: Frederick’s Top 50 Innovative Businesses.

Frederick’s Top 50 Innovative Businesses were revealed today in a special publication of the January 2023 edition of Frederick Magazine. The Top 50 is an annual stand-alone publication in partnership with Frederick Magazine.

Dec. 13, 2022 | Frederick News Post

A new space

Owner Megan Donovan stands in a room at SHIFT Work + Play on Tuesday during an open house for the family-oriented coworking space business, which is at 1209 N. East St. in Frederick. Donovan was the Idea Stage winner of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s S.H.E. Pitch event in August. The contest was held to support women-owned businesses.

Aug. 24, 2022 | Frederick News Post

Frederick businesswomen pitch ideas in ‘Shark Tank’-style competition

Clutching the little hands of her daughters, Megan Donovan made her way to the stage amid a roar of applause on Wednesday night at Hood College.

Donovan’s business idea — SHIFT Work + Play, a family-oriented coworking space — had just won her $6,500 in cash and business growth support from PNC Bank, plus a video and social media package from 88 Visual.

Aug. 16, 2022 | Frederick News Post

7 businesses to make their best pitch during Frederick chamber’s S.H.E. Week

Women-owned businesses will compete for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes next week in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition as part of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s S.H.E. Week celebration.

July 6, 2022 | City of Frederick Economic Development

Reimagining the Office: 4 Unique Coworking Models in Frederick

Last year, Livability.com named The City of Frederick among the “Top 10 Remote Ready Cities in the United States.” With such a distinction, it is only fitting that Frederick is home to a number of cutting-edge cowork office models.

Coworking is an arrangement in which workers of different companies share an office space, allowing cost savings and convenience through the use of common infrastructures. Though fundamentally focused on addressing flexibility and affordability needs of each individual worker, cowork business models are widening their scope to tackle other challenges of the traditional workplace.

June 21, 2022 | Frederick News Post

13 businesses reach semifinals for Frederick County S.H.E. Pitch

An upscale bartending service, a pop-up bakery, a natural wellness company, and an addiction treatment center are among the 13 businesses advancing in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition.

Now in its second year, S.H.E. (Strength, Heart and Equality) Pitch is organized by the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce to bring together female entrepreneurs.