THE TEAM | WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.

Anne Kirby started her first design and marketing company in 1999 and currently operates a boutique agency called The Sweet Core in Lancaster, PA. After working from home for many years and feeling the effects of social isolation, she acknowledged the need for a collaborative community and started The Creative House of Lancaster in 2007. Anne then founded her thriving coworking space, The Candy Factory, in 2010. Eventually moving into a larger space in 2014, the Candy Factory now inhabits 20,000 square feet of space in the historic Lancaster Storage Company. She recently opened The Studios at The Candy Factory as well as Jelly Bellies, the region's first childcare/coworking facility combo. The Candy Factory is a coworking community of over 250 professionals and provides a professional yet relaxed work environment for people looking for creative, affordable ways to work in Lancaster County, with a focus on connecting members through internal networking, promotion, as well as social activities. She founded the PA Coworking Alliance and hosted the first PA Coworking Conference in 2018 at The Candy Factory.

Additionally, Anne facilitates an all women's meetup group called Kick-Ass Female Entrepreneurs. She speaks to organizations locally and nationally, including The House Small Business Committee in Washington D.C., on the topic of coworking, the gig economy, and cultivating community.

Anne has been recognized by the Technology Council of Central PA, Women in Technology 2019 Awards for her impact on entrepreneurial/small businesses, as well as The Central Penn women of influence and is a 2018 SCORE Small Business Awardee.

What is coworking in Lancaster?

The Candy Factory is a coworking space established in 2010 and located in the heart of Downtown Lancaster PA. We are a community of professionals who have found a new way to work. Coworking and shared workspaces help promote business growth, creative thinking, shared brilliance and collaboration while offering an affordable office solution for small businesses, freelancers, remote workers, and non-profits. The open space concept we provide offers up many advantages, from networking and collaboration opportunities to easy access to shared resources.